Solana launches Android smartphone 'purpose-built for crypto'

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Solana Labs, the team behind the Solana (SOL) network, on June 23 announced the launch of its own Android smartphone named Saga, as well as the Solana Mobile Stack software ecosystem for Android.

The Solana Mobile Stack (SMS) is an open-source software development kit (SDK) that helps developers to build native Android apps that will be compatible with the Solana blockchain network. 

The toolkit will enable developers to “build beautiful, seamless web3 mobile experiences”, with the SDK debuting on the Saga smartphone by Solana.

New features

The SDK includes a Mobile Wallet adapter, a protocol for connecting web applications and native Android apps to wallets on mobile devices. This feature is intended to work on all mobile devices and not just the Android operating system according to the company.

Another feature is the Seed Vault, a secure environment built into mobile devices that keeps private keys, seed phrases, and secrets separated from the application layer, while still being able to interact with apps running on the device or mobile browser. By separating sensitive data from the application layer, this feature aims to prevent theft due to hacks and exploits in applications.

Solana Pay for Android is an additional feature that enables decentralized mobile payments as well as enabling users to make contactless-based mobile payments backed by the funds held in their self-custody wallets at “tens of millions of merchants” across the globe.

Solana Labs is also launching a Solana Dapp Store for decentralized applications on mobile devices, enabling users to tap into the Web3 ecosystem via their smartphones. Users will be able to access dapps and wallets on the Solana network without paying any fees.

According to Solana Labs, the Solana Mobile Stack will enable new features including the ability for users to mint (i.e. create and launch) Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) via their smartphones. They will also be to play Solana-based games, make mobile transactions on the network and gain easier access to various dapps and protocols in the Solana ecosystem, including Defi applications.

As well as the Seed Vault, Saga will have a hardware-based “secure element” to further protect users’ sensitive information from exploits and theft due to hacks. Android and iOS device users are at risk of losing their crypto due to fake apps, so this additional security measure could prove to be helpful.

In addition, the Solana Foundation is establishing a $10 million developer ecosystem fund to provide grants to mobile developers and creators. This comes shortly after Solana launched a $100 million fund to attract crypto projects from South Korea.

The specs and release date

Saga is designed and manufactured by OSOM, an Android development company with experience building computing hardware for Google, Apple, and Intel, among others. The smartphone comes with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, 6.67” OLED display, 12GB RAM, and 512GB of storage.

Solana’s smartphone Saga is set to release in early 2023 and is expected to have a price tag of around $1,000. Solana Labs is currently taking $100 deposits and Solana developers get priority on the waiting list. Early bird customers will receive a limited edition NFT to celebrate the launch of the smartphone.