My idea: Bitcoin Box, a dedicated Bitcoin computer to make Bitcoin easy

[trentcoin]

Running Bitcoin Core is daunting for many non-tech-savvy people, especially in an era where tablets, Chromebooks, and flimsy Windows netbooks have replaced high-powered desktops and laptops for many people. For many people, currently the best option is entrusting their wallet to a third party like Coinbase. This sort of defeats the purpose of Bitcoin. Mass adoption would just create what are essentially large Bitcoin banks.

In recent years, we've seen cheap, specialty computers like:

–Raspberry Pi, general-purpose minimal computer for under $100, meant for hacking and experimenting
–Chromebox, $150 computer that runs ChromeOS, plugs into an external monitor via HDMI
–Ouya, an Android gaming console for $100

What I propose is the Bitcoin Box: a dedicated Bitcoin computer, similar to a Chromebox, that only runs Bitcoin Core. It's not for mining, just for storing your wallet with full verification.

Its specs could be less than that of a Chromebox and still meet the minimum recommended specs for Bitcoin Core. However, it would need a hefty hard drive to leave room for future blockchain growth.

The Bitcoin Box should be paired with a clean, simple, accessible mobile app that allows you to remotely control your Bitcoin Box with your phone or tablet. This would allow you to, theoretically, tap and pay with Bitcoin at a store and otherwise carry your money with you.

I'm giving this idea away for free. I hope someone goes out and does it. I'll be your first customer! I came up with this idea because I wanted to buy a product like this for myself and couldn't find anything like it online. I don't have enough space on my laptop to run Bitcoin Core.

I'm a Bitcoin noob, so please critique and improve on this idea. There may be flaws I'm not considering.

[laurenB7742]

I'm not sure what are the benefits of this Bitcoin Box? Why do you want to store Bitcoins in original Bitcoin Core wallet? I prefer Electrum wallet so I don't need to download the whole blockchain.
Beside that, I think such bitcoin dedicated mini-computer would be vulnerable to hacker attacks and viruses. Because this computer would be connected to internet and it's antivirus protection would probably be limited because of limited hardware.
I think the existing options are enough. If you want to have bitcoins at hand and be able to send them whenever you want, go for Electrum desktop wallet and good antivirus and firewall. If you want 100% security go for cold storage (hardware wallet or paper wallet) but sending bitcoins is not so convenient this way.

[Clos Belmont ICO]

Running Bitcoin Core is daunting for many non-tech-savvy people, especially in an era where tablets, Chromebooks, and flimsy Windows netbooks have replaced high-powered desktops and laptops for many people. For many people, currently the best option is entrusting their wallet to a third party like Coinbase. This sort of defeats the purpose of Bitcoin. Mass adoption would just create what are essentially large Bitcoin banks.

In recent years, we've seen cheap, specialty computers like:

–Raspberry Pi, general-purpose minimal computer for under $100, meant for hacking and experimenting
–Chromebox, $150 computer that runs ChromeOS, plugs into an external monitor via HDMI
–Ouya, an Android gaming console for $100

What I propose is the Bitcoin Box: a dedicated Bitcoin computer, similar to a Chromebox, that only runs Bitcoin Core. It's not for mining, just for storing your wallet with full verification.

Its specs could be less than that of a Chromebox and still meet the minimum recommended specs for Bitcoin Core. However, it would need a hefty hard drive to leave room for future blockchain growth.

The Bitcoin Box should be paired with a clean, simple, accessible mobile app that allows you to remotely control your Bitcoin Box with your phone or tablet. This would allow you to, theoretically, tap and pay with Bitcoin at a store and otherwise carry your money with you.

I'm giving this idea away for free. I hope someone goes out and does it. I'll be your first customer! I came up with this idea because I wanted to buy a product like this for myself and couldn't find anything like it online. I don't have enough space on my laptop to run Bitcoin Core.

I'm a Bitcoin noob, so please critique and improve on this idea. There may be flaws I'm not considering.

I think cold wallet is the best way to storaging assets. Maybe it would be better to develop a dedicated Bitcoin computer, that can be used for mining

[BelieveInBitcoin]

I've just started running Bitcoin Core on my PC and I encourage others to do the same. I'm not sure about buying a special box to do it though. Perhaps better if it were inside something already permanently on like a NAS.

[jseverson]

Well if all you really need is a device that's used for specifically storing your coins, we already have one of those. It's called a hardware wallet, and they happen to be considered the most secure way of storing your Bitcoins.

If you just want to run core, you could just build a PC with a large storage. It's quite pointless in my opinion unless you want to run a full node, which you didn't mention.

[blue_id69]

you have the idea, its good. but that would be useless i mean if i need a hardware that only for storing a coin i can get a ledger or trezor or any other hardwallet, its pocket size i can carry it everywhere.

[allanr]

The Bitcoin Box should be paired with a clean, simple, accessible mobile app that allows you to remotely control your Bitcoin Box with your phone or tablet. This would allow you to, theoretically, tap and pay with Bitcoin at a store and otherwise carry your money with you.

there allready an apps for mobile where you can send and receive bitcoin and its from https://bitcoin.org it self, and there no need to run a full blockchain system for a wallet, use electroneum instead.

[cryptothreads]

It seems like a good idea but I think it's too hard to do in the present life because the cost of every bitcoin transaction is very high. Most of the cheapest cost at this time is 0.0005 and the highest fee is 0.001. I think you should consider before deciding on an investment

[bitart]

you have the idea, its good. but that would be useless i mean if i need a hardware that only for storing a coin i can get a ledger or trezor or any other hardwallet, its pocket size i can carry it everywhere.

That is the point. Hardware wallets are the Bitcoin Boxes, they're compatible with a variety kind of PCs, tablets, smartphones, etc. They are easy to carry, not like a PC or a dedicated box. They are safe (unless it's proven that they don't, but it's not likely) there are a lot of people using them and they're still trusted.
Also, I won't mix long term storage for coins and hot wallet functions, you can always have a mobile wallet and you can top it up from a hardware wallet as soon as you have spent all your coins from the mobile wallet.