In a bid to consolidate its standing in sustainable and smart technologies industry, HTC has announced a new Android phone that will be powered by blockchain technology. As per reliable sources, the Taiwanese consumer electronics giant has apparently roped in the creator of its virtual reality headset, Phil Chen, to supervise all cryptocurrency and blockchain related programs of the firm.
Reportedly, the company plans to build a native blockchain network with its latest smartphones, named as Exodus, that would act as nodes to enable cryptocurrency trading among the smartphone users.
Sources reveal that Exodus is likely to feature a built-in secure hardware enclave to support decentralized applications and cryptocurrencies along with a universal wallet. Although the price of the phone is yet to be decided, HTC is said to consider accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment for the same.
For the record, blockchain smartphones are said to offer better user experience and security by enabling direct trading of the native cryptocurrency with peers on the phone’s network without any mining fees. However, it is yet to be seen if these phones can drastically enhance the experience of DApp and cryptocurrency users over the regular smartphones, claim industry experts.
Speaking on the integration of blockchain applications with the phone’s hardware, Phil Chen was quoted stating that HTC is excited to support underlying protocols such as Dfinity, Ethereum, Lightning Networks, Bitcoin, and more through Exodus. He further stated that the firm would like to support the entire blockchain ecosystem and would announce many more partnerships in the sustainable and smart technologies industry over the next few months.
As per trusted sources, HTC is not the first electronics firm to think of unveiling a blockchain powered phone – the Switzerland based Sirin Labs’ had announced a USD 1,000 blockchain smartphone last September which is scheduled to be launched in October this year.