HTC Exodus 1, the blockchain-based mobile is crazy

It was one of the most incredible ideas in the sector, and it has finally come true. HTC has officially presented today its first blockchain-based smartphone, Exodus 1. After months of rumors, and doubts about what exactly it means to be "blockchain-based," we now have official information; but in the end what is Exodus 1?

You may have heard of blockchain, normally associated with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. It is a technology consisting of registering information in a public way in the form of a “chain”.

What is blockchain and why you should be interested

Each new piece of information is a link in the chain; and includes a cryptographic key of the previous link and other data such as the date. In this way, it is possible to know the order in which the data was produced, without the need for a third party to tell us. The big advantage of blockchain is that in theory you don't need a central server; since all the necessary information is in the chain itself.

Blockchain is therefore a completely different way of sharing and storing data publicly. It is characterized by anonymity and security, although anyone can access the published information. Thanks to this, we usually associate the blockchain with cryptocurrencies, or virtual currencies; although it is not its only utility, much less. Using blockchain, it is possible to keep track of transactions made with Bitcoin and other currencies.

That is why it is striking that some manufacturers are applying this technology to their smartphones. HTC is not the first, much less, but it is probably the largest company that has taken this step. And he has given it to improve the security of his devices.

HTC Exodus 1, the blockchain-based mobile

Exodus 1 is the first result of this bet. At first glance it is a normal and current smartphone; and in fact, it does not differ much from other models of the company. Only a striking design of the housing, with a "transparent" effect that shows the internal components and their function indicates that we are facing something special.

Otherwise, it is very similar to HTC U12 +. It has a Snapdragon 845 as a processor, accompanied by 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of internal storage and a 3500 mAh battery, so we will not lack power. The six-inch screen should also be up to the task.

HTC Exodus 1 Features

  • screen
    • Size – 6 inches
    • Resolution – QHD +
    • Ratio – 18: 9.
  • Hardware
    • Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
    • Memory – 6 GB RAM.
    • Storage – 128 GB
  • Cameras
    • Rear – dual 12 mpx + 16 mpx.
    • Front – Dual 8 MP with bokeh effect.
    • 4K video at 60 fps.
  • Dust and water resistant chassis up to 1.5 meters deep, with IP68 certificate.
  • 3500 mAh battery
  • System – Android Oreo

Blockchain based security

Of course, what is really interesting about hardware is the presence of an "enclave", an area of ​​the device completely independent of the operating system; Android is not able to access the data stored in this area, so what we save here is safe from malicious apps, for example.

This is where our cryptographic keys are stored, so it can serve as a wallet for our virtual currencies or other keys. HTC also promises that in future updates this area will host our digital data; In this way, an attacker could not get our information so easily.

To prevent us from losing our data if we lose our mobile, HTC has implemented a recovery mechanism that does not involve saving keys on your servers. Instead, we assign trusted users, who can download an app that divides our keys among all. In this way, if we lose the mobile we can recover our keys using the information stored by our friends.

HTC will also open an API for developers to take advantage of the potential of this safe zone.

It can only be purchased with Bitcoin and Ethereum

HTC has fully embraced the "crypto" philosophy with this mobile, to the point that we can not buy it with normal money. Early access will start at the end of the year, and we can only pay with Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Specific, Exodus 1 will cost 0.15 BTC or 4.78 ETH; At the time of writing these words, that amounts to about € 835 or € 830, depending on whether you pay with Bitcoin or Ethereum respectively. That is perhaps the biggest problem with this proposal, the volatility of virtual currencies; its value varies constantly, in some cases earning or losing a value of hundreds of euros in just a few days.

Because HTC's bet is certainly risky, and we don't mean just the payment method. After the initial fever, blockchain has lost some bellows in technology companies; It is no longer "fashionable," we might say.

That does not mean that there are no very interesting projects based on this technology, of course; but most were associated with virtual currencies. If blockchain manages to remain a unique technology separate from Bitcoin and company, it may be the future. And HTC bets because it is so.