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HTC was once the pinnacle Android device maker — it was really the just Android device maker for a while. Equally Android grew, HTC couldn't go on upward. It has non had much success in launching new Android phonesSEEAMAZON_ET_135 See Amazon ET commerce lately, but the company hopes the blockchain tin solve its woes. It pre-appear the blockchain-powered HTC Exodus several months ago, and now HTC's Phil Chen is talking more than about how the phone will work.

The new details don't cover the phone parts of this upcoming phone. We still don't know what sort of screen information technology will take, how much storage you'll go, or even if there will exist a headphone jack (but I assume not). Chen is talking more virtually the cryptocurrency aspects of the phone and how HTC is working to keep the phone's hardware wallet secure.

One of the master selling points of the Exodus is that you'll be able to proceed your cryptocurrency and other digital goods (cryptokitties, anyone?) on your phone for easy admission. For some blockchain enthusiasts, the idea of keeping all their data on an internet-connected device is only crazy. The nigh secure way to shop cryptocurrency is in so-called "cold storage" that isn't connected to whatever networks. HTC used the ARM system-on-a-fleck to build a "trust zone" in the chip'due south secure enclave. This hardware encrypted location is carve up from the Android operating organization, making it harder for a tertiary-party to access.

Ideally, a hardware wallet should not be a affair yous comport effectually every day — something similar a phone that is prone to loss, theft, and damage. HTC doesn't accept any revolutionary blockchain solution to losing your telephone, but information technology does have plans to make sure your crypto wallet doesn't become missing forth with it.

HTC's Phil Chen is in charge of developing the Exodus.

With many wallets, you lot can recover your encryption keys with a security phrase. If you lose the keys and the recovery phrase, your wallet is truly lost. HTC has developed a concept called Social Primal Recovery. During setup, you'll exist able to ask several trusted contacts to shop a role of your key via an HTC app on their phones. They had better be trustworthy, though. If you lose your phone, you need to reassemble all the parts of your key.

HTC seems enthusiastic about the Exodus, just it'due south unclear if consumers are still interested in a blockchain telephone. The surge of interest in cryptocurrency from earlier this year has abated, but what other play does HTC have at this betoken? Its regular Android phones aren't selling, so maybe the blockchain tin can save the company.

Now read: HTC's Sales Drop 68% After Latest Flagship Phone Launch, IBM Creates Globe's Smallest Computer for Blockchain Technology, and Coinbase Launches Cryptocurrency Payment Platform for Businesses