Lilbits 342: Facebook’s next device might be for your TV

Facebook’s probably on your phone. You might use it on your computer from time to time. And the company recently introduced a smart speaker/display/video calling gadget called Facebook Portal that puts Facebook in your living room, kitchen, or anywhere else in your house.

So what’s next? According to a report from Cheddar, Facebook wants to sit on top of your TV.

Imagine this… but on top of your TV

The company is said to be working on a new device that connects to your television in order to let you stream content from Facebook Watch. But unlike a Roku, Chromecast or Fire TV Stick Facebook’s new device also has a camera which would let you use your TV to make voice and video calls through Facebook.

Here’s a roundup of recent tech news from around the web.

• Facebook Plans Camera-Equipped TV Device (Cheddar)
  Facebook is allegedly working on a TV device with a camera for streaming online video and/or video chat. It’s code-named Ripley and it would expand the hardware ecosystem that Facebook launched with its new Portal device.
• Nokia X7 (Nokia)
  Nokia X7 with 6.2 inch, FHD+ display, SD710, and up to 6GB/128GB announced for China, probably coming soon to the rest of the world as the Nokia 7.1 Plus.
• Discord Store Global Beta Is Live! (Discord)
  The gaming-focused chat application now has its own game store.
• Vertu sends out invite for Oct 17th event (GizmoChina)
  Luxury phone brand Vertu is under new ownership and set to launch something on Oct 17th… except in the age of $1000 flagships, is the idea of a “luxury phone” redundant?
• Adobe announces next generation of Creative Cloud (Adobe)
  Adobe launches Premiere Rush CC for editing videos for the internet, announced Photoshop CC is coming to iPad in 2019.
• Rockchip announces Android 9 Pie update (AndroidPC.es)
  Rockchip announces Android 9 Pie support for chips including RK3288, RK3399.
• Amazon Echo Show software update (AFTV News)
  The Amazon Echo Show gains web browser support — software update brings Silk and Firefox, as well as support for streaming video from Hulu and NBC.