HTC’s Blockchain Phone Available For Pre-Order With A Catch

HTC’s blockchain-powered smartphone, the Exodus 1, is now available for early access pre-order, but there’s a catch. You can only preorder it using Bitcoin or Ether.

This decision from HTC isn’t too surprising as the Exodus 1 is marketed as a secure way to store cryptocurrency keys and blockchain tokens on your phone.

The early access period allows HTC to get feedback from cryptographers and developers to improve security before the Exodus 1 ships in December and for third-party developers to make their own key apps and wallets.

HTC has developed a Social Key Recovery tool in case your phone is lost, stolen, or you misplace your key information.

This tool allows device owners to pick a few trustworthy contacts, who must each download a key management app, and then divide up the algorithm containing your keys to create a decentralised recovery network which owners can piece together if they lose their phone or it gets stolen.

Besides its security features, the Exodus 1 has a 6″ Quad HD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio with dual 12MP and 16MP rear camera and 8MP front-facing dual camera includes Bokeh capability for portrait mode, and the phone shoots full 4K video at 60fps.

It also has 6GB of RAM, 128GB memory, and a 3500mAh battery plus IP68 waterproofing and runs a Snapdragon 845 processor with Android Oreo.

You can see full specs and pre-order the Exodus 1 for 0.15 Bitcoin or 4.78 Ether here.