In the past year or so, we’ve seen a number of smartphones coming out that are crypto-focused. There’s the Sirin Finney, which is from a not-so-popular company so it hasn’t gotten a lot of attention. There’s also HTC’s Exodus 1, as well as the Galaxy S10. Though the Galaxy S10 is the only one not being marketed solely as a crypto-focused smartphone.
Blockchain itself is just a growing list of records that are used in cryptography. Basically, it’s like the transactions on your bank account. Blockchain is going to keep records of who is buying and selling Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
So what’s the point of a crypto-focused handset? Well, it’s the beginning of the next generation of the decentralized web, or Web 3.0. Not only is this so that you can keep your crypto on your device – like Bitcoin and Etherum. But so that you can keep everything on your smartphone. And keep your data to yourself, instead of giving it to Google, Amazon and others.
Now, in order for these phones to be compelling to more consumers, rather than just the enthusiasts, companies are going to need to do more than just keep your crypto safe.
Recently, Samsung and HTC announced a few things that should help make it appeal to more users. Samsung announced partnerships with several blockchain projects, including dapps like Cosmee and Enjin. Which is a beauty services app and a blockchain-based gaming platform, respectively. HTC, meanwhile announced its partnership with Opera. Which is going to make it easier for people to use crypto. Allowing users to use crypto for micropayments on websites and even for dapps.
Opera’s head of crypto, Charles Hamel stated that “we are at the dawn of a new generation of the web, one where new decentralized services will challenge the status quo.”
So far, many other smartphone manufacturers have yet to jump on the Crypto phone bandwagon. But it’s really only a matter of time. HTC did it so soon, as they are looking for the next big cash cow to cash in on, and crypto might be it. Though it is still a bit too early to tell. It did well getting into VR quickly, and now that its smartphone business is drying up, it’s hoping that crypto and blockchain can also help boost its smartphone sales.