HTC announces the Exodus 1s, its second phone blockchain



[ad_1]

Why it's important: The HTC Exodus 1 was a gadget when it was released last December. Built on the solid (though boring) foundations of the HTC U12, its only feature was a secure storage enclave called "Zion", which could only store keys to access digital chats. At a cost of 950 USD and only available for purchase via Bitcoin or Ethereum, most people tended to believe that the phone would be a disaster – until it was no longer the case.

Soon, HTC realized that the price and purchase requirements were simply too restrictive and proposed it at $ 699. At this price, the phone could fend for itself, but thanks to better software support, aspects related to the blockchain have also gained popularity. Other than using it to play CryptoKitties (an interesting game, in fact), Zion allows users to store the keys needed to access crypto-currencies, supporting bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, etc.

Zion is a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) that stores and manipulates keys separately from the operating system, so that no malware or malicious agent can access the keys. The advantage of having crypto-currencies on Exodus is that it is always mobile, so you can take them with you and protect them personally. Users also have the ability to access lost keys by sending the pieces to a handful of selected friends, so their combined codes unlock the key.

HTC is also preparing an SDK for Zion available on GitHub. This greatly facilitates Zion's storage and execution support in developer applications, allowing messaging, search, and social media based on the blockchain to access the shop of the applications. "We understand that it takes a community to ensure strength and security," said HTC, "so it's important for the Exodus team that our community has the best tools at their disposal."

All that leads us to Exodus 1: the next step. The Exodus 1 will be offered at a much lower price, between $ 250 and $ 300, so that it is accessible, while introducing new features. Key is the ability to use it as a node in a blockchain network, a complete log of everything that has happened in the blockchain. HTC points out that Bitcoin has only 9,500 active nodes and that more is needed to maintain its decentralized nature. While typical Bitcoin nodes require 200 GB of storage increasing by 60 GB per year (hence a microSD slot), the Exodus 1 will support a "pruned version" of only 10 GB, containing essential information.

"We are democratizing access to technology for a free world. The complete nodes are the most important ingredient in the resilience of the Bitcoin network, and we have lowered the barrier to entry that prevents a user from operating a node, which is simply a computer, mobile in our case, participating in a global bitcoin network that is spreading. transactions and blocks everywhere, which is the basis and the fundamental definition of a payment system post to point. "

The Blockchain operation may not be available at the end of the third quarter, but is in preparation. HTC's Phil Chen said they had "partners to announce that they would offer hash rates." While acting both as a node and by exploiting induces an abnormal voltage on the battery, the treatment and the telephone network, the benefits are real. the control and understanding of the network, which means that nothing can be done with Exodus 1. And this also allows a future decentralized system of mobile applications much more secure and private than the current applications.

Most of the features of Exodus 1 will also arrive on the big Exodus via an update. While no one suggests that an isolated phone maker who no longer appears in the news and in the history book will be enough to properly integrate the blockchain into the mobile world, the growth of Exodus and the promises of the 1 are stimulating and innovative. They are definitely something to watch.

[ad_2]

Source link