By Android mobile device manufacturer HTC is set to launch their first blockchain-enabled smartphone just a decade after a launching their first device.
An early access version of the device is currently available for pre-order but the phone which has been dubbed as the HTC Exodus can only be purchased using digital currencies.
The Exodus 1 can only be purchased by using Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH) and will begin shipping as early as December with the company announcing that they’re on the hunt for devs to assist with the development of the early-access version.
The EXODUS 1 is available to pre-order in the US, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, New Zealand and as many as 30 other countries worldwide according to the official press release.
Phil Chen, HTC’s decentralized chief officer stated that the company has high hopes of receiving feedback from the blockchain community about the early-access version in an effort to improve the device for it’s extended release.
“The goal is to start with the blockchain community and get their assistance in making our wallet and the technology even more secure, in essence testing it out and providing feedback and suggestions [and] solutions,” said Chen and adding:
“Recent figures show that there are around 35 million wallets out there at the moment. The HTC EXODUS 1 is about getting the consumer used to owning their own keys and going from there to develop the EXODUS into a device that can be for the broader market.”
However, it must be noted that HTC has not divulged any information at this time as to when the device will be launched to the general populace.
The device which was announced back in May features “a secret enclave” loaded on the device which stores the user’s cryptocurrency keys and is also kept protected from the Android OS.
On top of that HTC built what they call a “Social Key Recovery” process which further protects users who lose their phone or forget their keys. Consumers who purchase the device will have the option of assigning a small number of contacts as “trustworthy” and these contacts will all have the option of downloading a key management app.
The user that loses his device will have his/her recovery seed be split amongst the selected contacts. If the device is indeed lost or stolen or if a user forgets their key, the user will be able to use their contacts in order to regain access to their funds.
Lastly, HTC also plans to release application program interfaces (API’s) for third-party developers which would allow them to utilise the EXODUS 1 in order to protect keys and sign transactions and they’re also planning to push for a software development kit (SDK) for their wallet in order help partners who will assist HTC with the expansion of their blockchain ecosystem.
Are you an Android enthusiast? Are you a crypto investor? Would you consider purchasing the HTC EXODUS 1? Let us know your thoughts on the upcoming cryptocurrency smartphone by leaving a comment below.
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