HTC to release a blockchain router to let users run a full bitcoin node at home

[pangu]

HTC is working on a new blockchain router, EXODUS 5G Hub, which will allow users to run a full bitcoin node and relay transactions independent of any third party
The product has added support for email service ProtonMail, open-source Internet browser Brave, decentralized VPN Incognito, and is set launch in Q2

EXODUS 5G Hub aims to improve data privacy in the home space by letting users hold on to their own keys through a hardware wallet. The goal, according to HTC decentralized chief officer Phil Chen, is to challenge the dominance of smart devices produced by big tech companies – Amazon Alexa, Google Nest, Facebook, etc. – that leave users’ private data vulnerable.

https://www.theblockcrypto.com/post/57688/electronics-manufacturer-htc-to-release-a-blockchain-router-to-let-users-run-a-full-bitcoin-node-at-home
https://venturebeat.com/2020/03/04/htc-reveals-exodus-5g-hub-a-secure-router-that-can-run-a-bitcoin-node/

[avikz]

A router with 243 GB of storage?? That's strange!

I am just trying to understand the business application behind it, because HTC is a business organization. Just trying to figure out how they will position this product in the market! Anyone?

[Artemis3]

Android based router? No thanks, might as well put windows in there... The thing even has a screen, its a tablet of sorts.

The HTC Exodus phones claim the same thing: "Full Bitcoin Node", whatever that even means (for HTC). Sure a 500gb SSD should be able to do it, or maybe its just using the cheapest flash memory you can get (the phone is supposed to cost 700$).

I think they are just trying to make something "cool" for the people learning about crypto, something more like a fashion.

Yes a raspi like thing could do the same but safer and cheaper. Just use a 500g sd (or usb hd).

[Ucy]

Better to trust Open Source hardware and software built mostly for the decentralized world. That is what the community should be seriously aiming for now.
So don't be too complacent and let your security/privacy guard down if you must buy and use this phone/device.

[TheNewAnon135246]

Better to trust Open Source hardware and software built mostly for the decentralized world. That is what the community should be seriously aiming for now.
So don't be too complacent and let your security/privacy guard down if you must buy and use this phone/device.

Hopefully HTC will decide to open source the software it'll run on. I'm sure security experts will open up a device as soon as it hits the market, so I'll wait a bit before deciding to buy one. I do love what HTC is doing though. Their Exodus phones make it extremely easy for anyone to run a Bitcoin Core node.

[Ruso21]

i don't know about this but i would doubt on security flaws, HTC is a phone maker company and now doing routers? how about the network encryption?
it is a smart hub that connects everything which means a hacker could connect on some device and get into.
my other concern is where the data is really stored? 

[Carlton Banks]

Android based router? No thanks, might as well put windows in there... The thing even has a screen, its a tablet of sorts.

yep.

if you believe the following...

The goal, according to HTC decentralized chief officer Phil Chen, is to challenge the dominance of smart devices produced by big tech companies – Amazon Alexa, Google Nest, Facebook, etc. – that leave users’ private data vulnerable.

...and you really value your private data, you may discover that GoogleLinux (i.e. Android) is not actually made with privacy in mind, and possibly too late to do anything about it. Does anyone really believe Google are spending huge amounts of money developing 9-10 versions of a highly customized version of Linux in the same number of years just because of how much they love you? Google develop Android for free, phone OEMs pay zero for to Google for using Android on their devices. Such nice guys they are!


It makes way more sense just to buy a single-board-computer and do the job yourself.

[Jet Cash]

It makes way more sense just to buy a single-board-computer and do the job yourself.

There is a fair bit of support here for people using a Raspberry Pi or similar. It's something I want to do with a couple of AGM batteries and a solar panel. I've got the batteries, I just need the other bits.

[cabron]

There must be a catch to this HTC device, you;d have to really take a closer look to find the fine prints to it because there could be no different than using google's android. WE;d have enough KYCs already.

It makes way more sense just to buy a single-board-computer and do the job yourself.

There is a fair bit of support here for people using a Raspberry Pi or similar. It's something I want to do with a couple of AGM batteries and a solar panel. I've got the batteries, I just need the other bits.

Doesn't ask for 110V which is makes Raspberry great. I jsut wish we could install a full linux system like fedora or so.

[dothebeats]

That seems.. odd for a router. There has to be an end goal for HTC to construct such a device and tweak it to perform as such. Personally though, I'd stick to my ASUS router and a Raspberry Pi bitcoin node if I wish to run one. There's just so many questions popping in my mind regarding this new device from HTC, and their explanation about it is kinda vague and feels like there's some underlying motive to that. Idk but that just not feel right.

[panganib999]

That seems.. odd for a router. There has to be an end goal for HTC to construct such a device and tweak it to perform as such. Personally though, I'd stick to my ASUS router and a Raspberry Pi bitcoin node if I wish to run one. There's just so many questions popping in my mind regarding this new device from HTC, and their explanation about it is kinda vague and feels like there's some underlying motive to that. Idk but that just not feel right.

HTC is trying to get the crypto crowd and has been for years, they've had two separate phones with built in hardware wallets and a separate os that they sold for crypto directly as well. I'm not too suspicious about this.

Well I do feel right with HTC. They are trying to fit with what is going on right now, their rumored smartphone out last year have a built in wallet for bitcoin cash. Their market performance surprisingly got high when they did this and other crypto stuffs making a large value in 2019. HTC has been for so many years, I'm sure they aren't preparing a device that might just lost in the future market clash.

[DaCryptoRaccoon]

This probably won't end well routers are inherently riddled with security holes what makes them think anyone would want to store crypto on this device is beyond me.. Further to this how to they expect people to keep up with the size of the chain if there is on-board storage?

Seems like a ploy to make some money from the people who don't know how to run a node and want to be
seen with the "latest" tech in there homes.

I think they need to re-think this idea and make something more robust.

[NotATether]

It makes way more sense just to buy a single-board-computer and do the job yourself.

There is a fair bit of support here for people using a Raspberry Pi or similar. It's something I want to do with a couple of AGM batteries and a solar panel. I've got the batteries, I just need the other bits.

I haven't worked with Raspberry Pi's, so how would you stuff hundreds of gigabytes of disk space in that? Bitcoin's blockchain needs that much space to run a full node (correct me if I'm wrong), and it appears that a hard disk cannot even be installed inside a Raspberry Pi. Are you going to use a USB hard drive for storage? There would also need to be support for compiling bitcoin-core on ARM processors.

[Twinkledoe]

This probably won't end well routers are inherently riddled with security holes what makes them think anyone would want to store crypto on this device is beyond me.. Further to this how to they expect people to keep up with the size of the chain if there is on-board storage?

Seems like a ploy to make some money from the people who don't know how to run a node and want to be
seen with the "latest" tech in there homes.

I think they need to re-think this idea and make something more robust.

We will know in time what their real motive is. Right now, we are still blind on some aspects of this project. But if nothing else, this is another news for crypto coming from known electronics company that will encourage mass adoption. Sharing the tweet from HTC and meet their Exodus 5G Hub -

https://twitter.com/htc/status/1235355193681694720