For the first time ever, Facebook is building a video chat device for home use, the first significant hardware product to be released from their Building 8 lab.

Zuckerberg’s plan to bring users closer together

The new device is rumoured to be a large screen/smart camera combo specifically designed for distance communication. The product already exists in prototype and is currently being tested in multiple homes.

The prototype of the home communications device includes a touchscreen interface between 13 and 15 inches that may run on Android but could be designed to work on Facebook’s own proprietary OS.

Furthermore, the device is experimenting with a smart camera capable of automatically focusing on various speakers and objects being discussed in frame. A 360 degree camera could be planned as well but may not be ready for launch.

Facebook’s mysterious Building 8 lab

The lab is striving to “ship new, category-defining consumer products that are social first,” according to lab lead Regina Dugan and former Google executive at the most recent F8 conference last April.

Building 8 isn’t just working on a video communications product, but at least one other device, a smart speaker to compete with Google Home and Amazon Echo, even going so far as to hire former Apple designers.

The new range of devices are meant to integrate and enhance performance through artificial intelligence and mark the unveil of an entirely new kind of product line.

Are you excited for Facebook to enter device marketing? Would you purchase a device designed by Facebook? Give us your thoughts in the comment section.