HTC Launches Blockchain Phone

HTC have now opened pre-orders for their long awaited blockchain phone – the Exodus 1.  The phone incorporates a cryptocurrency wallet alongside the android OS that it runs.  It provides another step in introducing consumers to cryptocurrency, presenting them with a ready made means to store it.

The HTC phone was first introduced to the crypto-community at Consensus earlier this year.  At that time, the company set out their thoughts on the development of the phone:

“Our vision is to expand the blockchain ecosystem by creating the world’s first phone dedicated to decentralized applications and security. With the release of the HTC Exodus we can now make this a reality.”

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Interestingly, the Exodus 1 can only be bought with Bitcoin or Ethereum.  However, given the price-point, that’s unlikely to be a burden as it’s likely to be the preserve of fervent early adopters of crypto.

Whilst the phone runs the android operating system, the wallet exists on the phone in a section of the software apart from android – making it inaccessible to the regular operating system whilst it runs in parallel with android.  HTC’s thinking in this instance is the idea that android is centralized and less secure.  Therefore, to store crypto on android would make the phone user’s funds much more susceptible to cyber theft.

In an interview with CNBC, HTC’s Chief Decentralized Officer, Phil Chen, set out the rationale behind the phone and what it offers:

“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.”

The concept of owning and controlling your own keys is central to the thinking of many proponents of cryptocurrency.  Amongst them, Andreas Antonopoulos expresses the view that it’s foolhardy to store crypto on a centralized exchange.  To garner the full advantage of what cryptocurrency offers, Antonopoulos maintains that crypto owners must have control of their own keys.

When queried via Twitter by crypto enthusiasts, it seems that the phone doesn’t support a Lightning Network node – just an ability to store Bitcoin via its Zion wallet. Lightning Network is a Layer 2 solution that is being rolled out by developers in an effort to cater for micro transactions off the main Bitcoin blockchain in an effort to overcome the scaling issues experienced on the primary chain.

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In addition to Bitcoin, the phone’s wallet will also support Litecoin and Ethereum.  Aside from the crypto-related features, the phone boasts a 6” display and 3500mAh battery.  In terms of camera specification, it hosts a 12MP and 16MP main camera with high quality zoom whilst also having a 8MP/8MP dual front camera.

In what seems to be a marketing faux pas, the branding of the phone – given that it’s main claim is the inclusion of a cryptocurrency wallet – seems to clash with a cryptocurrency wallet of the same name – Exodus.  The latter took to social media to state that HTC’s branding created an unfortunate clash.

This article is written by Pat Rabbitte and originally appeared in The Bitcoinmag.