BLOCKCHAIN
BLOCKCHAIN
BLOCKCHAIN
HTC’s Exodus blockchain phone can soon be purchased using regular cash
HTC Corp. today announced it will start selling its Exodus 1 blockchain smartphone to the public for regular cash after initially allowing people to purchase it using only cryptocurrency.
Along with accepting cash, HTC also announced a range of new software for the phone with a focus on decentralized applications.
The Exodus 1 first went on sale in October and could only be purchased directly from HTC using cryptocurrency. The Taiwanese phone maker initially accepted bitcoin and Etherum, later adding Litecoin as well, all for the equivalent of $699. With added support for fiat currency, the phone can be purchased for $699 using a credit card, and for cash starting March 1.
On the software side, HTC is adding about 20 new applications to the device, including support for ERC-721 tokens, dApps and genesis blocks.
One application, called Numbers, tracks user data on walking, sleeping, driving and more, then allows users to sell their data to third parties, according to The Verge. “Now not only can users own their data, but it forces companies to be more transparent about how that data is used,” HTC Chief Decentralized Officer Phil Chen is quoted as saying.
Along with specific blockchain-related apps, HTC also announced a new partnership with Opera Ltd. that will see the company’s so-called “crypto browser” installed on Exodus 1 models.
The browser is a traditional mobile Opera browser with support for cryptocurrency payments built in, allowing users to make payments or tip websites that support it. Currently the browser only supports Ethereum, but support for bitcoin and Litecoin is promised in the near future.
Under the hood, the phone runs Android 8.0 Oreo, has a Qualcomm 845 processor, a six-inch screen, 128 gigabytes of storage, 6GB of memory, 12-megapixel and 16-megapixel rear cameras and a 3,500-mAh battery.
“Exodus is about the future of data and getting the right architecture for the internet, one that includes security, privacy and transfer of ownership of data back to the person generating it,” Chen said in a separate media release.
Image: HTC
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