Finney, world’s first blockchain phone, set to launch in November

Blockchain phones are set to become a reality sooner than expected. Apart from Sirin Labs’ Finney, HTC will also launch its Exodus blockchain phone later this year.

Finney blockchain phone to come with dual-screen design. (Sirin Labs)

Switzerland-based Sirin Labs' Finney, the world's first blockchain smartphone, will be launched in November. Priced at $999 (₹68,000 approximately), Finney blockchain phone is said to come with a dual-screen design.

"The vision of Sirin Labs right now is to bridge the gap between the Blockchain economy and the mass market, by basically addressing and resolving these two inherent problems," Nimrod May, Chief Marketing Officer at Sirin Labs, was quoted as saying.

Finney devices will be manufactured at FIH Mobile's (a Foxconn subsidiary) existing facilities. FIH Mobile will design and manufacture the phone while Sirin Labs will lead the development of the wallet hardware and operating system (OS).

Before Finney blockchain phone, Sirin Labs launched a super expensive "Solarin" smartphone about a couple of years ago priced at $14,800.

HTC joins the blockchain bandwagon
The first major smartphone company to join the blockchain bandwagon is HTC. The company has already confirmed it will be launching Exodus blockchain phone later this year. It's likely the phone will be debut before Sirin Labs' Finney phone.

HTC is hoping the phone will help democratise the blockchain network. Phil Chen, who is driving HTC's blockchain project, aims to "make decentralisation a reality." He hinted that the phone will be priced around $1,000 (₹69,000 approximately), equivalent to Apple's iPhone X. Chen also said that HTC Exodus blockchain phone will be available in the markets outside China, according to an Independent report.

(with inputs from IANS)