HTC has given us more information about their long-awaited new phone model with blockchain integration. The EXODUS 1 is a phone designed for safe cryptocurrency storage and will function as almost a test product only foraying into on-chain phone features. The phone has a separate facility on the phone that holds funds outside of the Android operating system for increased security.
HTC’s experiment is pretty pricey and can only be pre-ordered in cryptocurrency for 0.15 BTC or 4.78 ETH, which is the present day fiat equivalent of about $960. It will be ready just in time for the holiday season officially planning to ship out in early December.
The blockchain integration is meant to achieve enhanced security and privacy, setting a new precedent for identity protection. TrustZone is HTC’s security solution to the inconveniences of cold storage and the inherent security vulnerabilities of software-based wallets. The crypto asset storage on the phone can only be accessed using biometric information like Face ID and Touch ID. There are still issues that exist with this security model, but it is the only solution for now.
The smartphone has 6 GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 845 processor, and a 16-megapixel dual rear camera. Full specifications for the HTC EXODUS 1 are:
Decentralized Chief Officer Phil Chen’s mission might not be to launch the best functioning blockchain smartphone. His aims seem to be much more ideological and related to identity privacy above all else:
“And the reason why you do a blockchain phone is … for everybody just to own their own keys. Everything starts there. When you start owning your own keys, then you can start owning your own digital identity, then you can start to own data.”
Chen does not believe that this phone is for the larger market stating EXODUS 1 “is not for the mass market yet.” This should really be viewed as a beta product for crypto traders looking for a new storage solution and willing to experiment with having Bitcoin and Ethereum in a warmly stored on their Android.
