Thoughts about Passport hardware wallet

[dkbit98]

It makes you wonder if they even have a decent boost circuit at all or just running 3.3V electronics off 2 batteries LOL

They have all schematics for their device released in public on their github page so  you can check out what exactly they are using:
https://github.com/Foundation-Devices/passport-electronics

I did contact them about the screen indeed; and reviewers didn't mention it at all so it may be possible they listened to my feedback which would be sick. On one hand I'm a bit disappointed a second version comes so quick and such a big discount, but on the other hand I'm excited they listen to customer feedback so much and improve many things in a short time.

Maybe you should contact Passport developers and ask them for free replacement and batch2 version for testing, or they can provide you just with screen replacement
Improved device will not going to be released before February 2022 so you still have time for application.

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[n0nce]

It makes you wonder if they even have a decent boost circuit at all or just running 3.3V electronics off 2 batteries LOL

They have all schematics for their device released in public on their github page so  you can check out what exactly they are using:
https://github.com/Foundation-Devices/passport-electronics

Mmm it does have regulators. https://github.com/Foundation-Devices/passport-electronics/blob/master/Main%20Board/Documentation/Schematic%20Print/SCH_FD-JL-PCB-MB_E1.PDF
Still weird, that the device completely stops working when the battery still has like 90% of the energy in it. On the other hand, I've never designed anything around AA / AAA batteries myself, maybe it's much different from using rechargeable ones. But those, you can drive down to very low voltages and still boost easily to something your project can still use and run.

I did contact them about the screen indeed; and reviewers didn't mention it at all so it may be possible they listened to my feedback which would be sick. On one hand I'm a bit disappointed a second version comes so quick and such a big discount, but on the other hand I'm excited they listen to customer feedback so much and improve many things in a short time.

Maybe you should contact Passport developers and ask them for free replacement and batch2 version for testing, or they can provide you just with screen replacement
Improved device will not going to be released before February 2022 so you still have time for application.

Hahah, I mean $200 with the discount code would already be a good deal but I guess maybe I can get a 'review sample'.
On batch 1 I really wanted to buy it with my own money to give a completely unbiased review. But v2, eh, maybe. I'd buy it anyway, as is visible from my post history where I already said I was going to get one

[HCP]

I did a few basic measurements; it seems it's not actually pulling a ton of power (though it should be possible to get that down as well), but the main issue is that the unit stops functioning when the batteries drop below I believe something like 1.3V.
...
So it's not actually draining the full 1.5V in a couple hours, it's draining 0.2 and not booting up after that. It makes you wonder if they even have a decent boost circuit at all or just running 3.3V electronics off 2 batteries LOL

That probably explains why they advise using "1.5V Constant Voltage" rechargeable batteries... A lot of the "long life" rechargeable batteries often run below 1.5V, which seems likely to cause issues with this device.

Hopefully this is something they can rectify moving forward.

[n0nce]

I did a few basic measurements; it seems it's not actually pulling a ton of power (though it should be possible to get that down as well), but the main issue is that the unit stops functioning when the batteries drop below I believe something like 1.3V.
...
So it's not actually draining the full 1.5V in a couple hours, it's draining 0.2 and not booting up after that. It makes you wonder if they even have a decent boost circuit at all or just running 3.3V electronics off 2 batteries LOL

That probably explains why they advise using "1.5V Constant Voltage" rechargeable batteries... A lot of the "long life" rechargeable batteries often run below 1.5V, which seems likely to cause issues with this device.

Hopefully this is something they can rectify moving forward.

Yup, I remember last time I used rechargeable AA's they were 1.3V-ish when fully charged. I mean, anyone with the time and knowledge can read the old and new schematics and probably see if the situation will be better right off the bat. In my opinion, there has to be something seriously wrong if the boost circuit needs more than 2.6V to work; lots of products (e.g. your phone) are able to drain batteries to a minimum while still functioning, so I see no reason why this shouldn't work for Passport. It's great when products have open hardware; this kind of issue should be spottable from 'looking at it'.

[dkbit98]

It's great when products have open hardware; this kind of issue should be spottable from 'looking at it'.

Yeah, don't be like ledger making stuff closed source and hiding everything like a snake and then wondering wtf they have so much problems along the way.
Seriously, you should contact Passport Foundation devices and write your suggestion for improving power management, I have a feeling you will get new device for free 
I don't know if you played snake on your device, but you could tell them to make clean version without games and they could also join bitcointalk forum.

[n0nce]

It's great when products have open hardware; this kind of issue should be spottable from 'looking at it'.

Yeah, don't be like ledger making stuff closed source and hiding everything like a snake and then wondering wtf they have so much problems along the way.
Seriously, you should contact Passport Foundation devices and write your suggestion for improving power management, I have a feeling you will get new device for free 
I don't know if you played snake on your device, but you could tell them to make clean version without games and they could also join bitcointalk forum.

I mean it seems they did already improve the power management didn't they? When I find the time, I'll try to compare old and new schematics and see if the improvements that I can spot 'statically' look good. Regarding 'free'; I decided to not ask for a review sample or anything, but I will be getting the Founders Edition discount, even though I ordered through a (official) reseller, hence it didn't arrive automatically. Also, only orders directly from Foundation are eligible for that discount, one thing to keep in mind for anyone reading here..

Suggesting to offer a fw without shenanigans is a good idea, I will forward it, as well as the idea of creating a bitcointalk profile! Do note though, that I don't have any special contact with them or anything, I can just email their support staff.
So I would actually encourage if multiple people suggested this (especially the option to install a 'clean' fw, similar to Shift Crypto's 'Bitcoin only Firmware') via E-Mail. More messages means more interest = better chance of this happening. And it's also something easy to do, even for FE devices.

[dkbit98]

I mean it seems they did already improve the power management didn't they?

I am not sure is power management is changed and I didn't study schematics.
All I know is that they changed size of device making it thinner and they improved glass making it better and less scratchable.

Do note though, that I don't have any special contact with them or anything, I can just email their support staff.

Let's see how powerful and convincing you are, because it's more likely they will listen someone who actually owns their Passport device, and not some tech freak like me

[n0nce]

I mean it seems they did already improve the power management didn't they?

I am not sure is power management is changed and I didn't study schematics.
All I know is that they changed size of device making it thinner and they improved glass making it better and less scratchable.

I just dug around a bit and found out the slimmer design seems to be due to switching to Li-Ion batteries.

Power   Lithium ion battery (included with purchase).

To be honest, I really like it when wallets run on AA / AAA batteries since you find those literally anywhere in the world. I would definitely prefer batteries where possible, since that would still allow me to choose to go rechargeable by buying rechargeable AA / AAA's if I really want.

Do note though, that I don't have any special contact with them or anything, I can just email their support staff.

Let's see how powerful and convincing you are, because it's more likely they will listen someone who actually owns their Passport device, and not some tech freak like me

I'm confident they'll listen to any constructive criticism from anyone in the community and not just existing customers - at least I hope they do; that's what I'd do...

[m2017]

The first thing that came into my dingbat little head when I saw this device was this:

And this is a great idea for a start-up: to release a hardware wallet in a phone case  .  I mean, phone mimicry. Can release a device under the guise of a chinese phone with a similar design to old phones. When asked what it is?, it will be possible to answer that this is just a telephone and will save you from unnecessary inquiries.

As you can see from the picture, wallet Passport is already close to it.

[dkbit98]

I'm confident they'll listen to any constructive criticism from anyone in the community and not just existing customers - at least I hope they do; that's what

I don't know if you noticed one more update from Passport Foundation that is less important, they are rebranding with new triangle style logo (three chords arranged in a circle), so don't get confused about that.
New batch2 devices will probably have this new logo, and they explained new mission they have in their latest blog post.
Selling 1000 devices for first year is not bad at all, but it can't really be compared with thousands or millions of devices sold by other HW manufacturers.


https://foundationdevices.com/2021/12/foundations-new-logo-and-mission/

[SFR10]

New batch2 devices will probably have this new logo, and they explained new mission they have in their latest blog post.

Regardless of the story behind their new logo, personally, I prefer the previous one more...

• While I was reading through the same blog post, the following part caught my attention:
  
  

  • But over the coming months and years we’ll release a suite of hardware and software that makes it easy to become a sovereign individual.

    It's either some accessories or a knock-down version of Passport ^{[I hope it's the latter, so I can get my hands on one of them]}.

It appears they'll be adding support for Taproot soon:

Bitcoin Embedded Software Engineer
~Snipped~
Select Responsibilities

• Add support for Taproot and future Bitcoin improvements
  ~Snipped~

[dkbit98]

Regardless of the story behind their new logo, personally, I prefer the previous one more...

I don't really care what logo they are using, it's how device works that is more important, but ledger also changed their logo recently so it must be a new trend  

While I was reading through the same blog post, the following part caught my attention

I think they are working on creating new Passport branded smartphones, laptops and OS that are privacy oriented, like we saw with Pinephone, Pinebook, CalyxOS, GrapheneOS, etc.
It's just my speculation, but I guess they will have problems with making any new hardware devices because if the chip shortages continue.

It appears they'll be adding support for Taproot soon:

Yeah I saw that, it's about time after ledger and trezor did it, and they are also planning of adding dice roll entropy seed verification in 2022, maybe something similar like Coldcard and Keystone are doing.

[n0nce]

I think they are working on creating new Passport branded smartphones, laptops and OS that are privacy oriented, like we saw with Pinephone, Pinebook, CalyxOS, GrapheneOS, etc.

To be honest, seeing more Linux-based smartphones would be great. Some more players / competition in that field is needed.
If it's just their own take of such an OS for existing Linux phones, it would still be interesting to see what they come up with!

In my mind, it's also possible they'll first release some smaller 'gadget' type accessories when talking about 'hardware' - that can be a very vague thing, like steel backup plates and other backup items. I got this idea from what ShiftCrypto started doing a good while ago now.

ShiftCrypto Ultimate Backup bundle

[dkbit98]

To be honest, seeing more Linux-based smartphones would be great. Some more players / competition in that field is needed.
If it's just their own take of such an OS for existing Linux phones, it would still be interesting to see what they come up with!

I am seeing several mainstream Linux operating system constantly working on mobile version OS, so I think it's possible but road will not be easy and you can bet that phones will not work perfectly.
I never owner pinephone (I would like to have one) and I never tested installing Linux on some old phone so I don't know how it works in daily life.

In my mind, it's also possible they'll first release some smaller 'gadget' type accessories when talking about 'hardware' - that can be a very vague thing, like steel backup plates and other backup items. I got this idea from what ShiftCrypto started doing a good while ago now.

I saw them asking on their community channels for feedback what would people want to see next device/gadget coming from, and yeah it's possible they will just add metal plates,
or maybe they will piss off Coinkite and Coldcard again and make their own version of Opendime or Blockclock.
I think it's important to have some cheap banknote option for Bitcoin like Opendime, Satodime or Tangem.
It's going to be fun and interesting watching reaction of NVK after that 

[dkbit98]

For a second I thought it was "Tetris"

No it wasn't, but I noticed one other hardware wallet that really has Tetris game called Stacking Stats and I am bringing some screenshots for the first time.
Available also in same device secret menu are Snakamoto game, Internet Browser (not real) and Screenshots 
I expect this extra features to be removed in next generation Passport, it's time for more serious approach if they want to survive new kid on the Block (ex Square) hardware wallet from Jack Dorsey.
Other competition is also not sleeping and they are getting serious, but I think that ledger is now in self destruction mode.


https://twitter.com/gq0/status/1481513688720891905

[n0nce]

I expect this extra features to be removed in next generation Passport, it's time for more serious approach if they want to survive new kid on the Block (ex Square) hardware wallet from Jack Dorsey.

Block released a hardware wallet? Can't find anything about this topic tbh.

[dkbit98]

Block released a hardware wallet? Can't find anything about this topic tbh.

It's not released yet, but I am following news about that and I saw that Jack Block posted job offerings for people to work in multiple cities across United States (San Francisco, New York, etc).
Hardware Wallet Business Lead;  Global Fulfillment & Logistics Lead, Hardware Wallet, and few more but I can't find links for them anymore.

Back on the Passport wallet topic...they are preparing some BIG changes for batch2 and they say more information will be revealed in February.

[n0nce]

Block released a hardware wallet? Can't find anything about this topic tbh.

It's not released yet, but I am following news about that and I saw that Jack Block posted job offerings for people to work in multiple cities across United States (San Francisco, New York, etc).
Hardware Wallet Business Lead;  Global Fulfillment & Logistics Lead, Hardware Wallet, and few more but I can't find links for them anymore.

Back on the Passport wallet topic...they are preparing some BIG changes for batch2 and they say more information will be revealed in February.

Interesting! Someone said Block builds good hardware or something like that; aren't they just an 'umbrella' company for Square, CashApp and TIDAL? What did they build so far? (TIDAL LN payments eta wen @jack)

Regarding Passport, my review is finally done It's possible I'll add a few points here and there and if you have open questions, feel free to comment or direct message me and I'll check those things out & add them to the review.

After owning the Foundation Devices Passport 'Founders Edition' for a few months, I would like to share my thoughts / experience!

[dkbit98]

Interesting! Someone said Block builds good hardware or something like that; aren't they just an 'umbrella' company for Square, CashApp and TIDAL? What did they build so far? (TIDAL LN payments eta wen @jack)

Square just rebranded and changed name to Block, and it's true about quality hardware they make, working on point of sale solutions they had to make POS hardware and accessories for that.
You can check on their website devices like Square Terminal, Square Reader for cards, Square Register and Stand, they even have Registers and complete kits available.
They obviously know how to make hardware, and Block wallet will be just one more in this list.
Checkout their website:
https://squareup.com/us/en/hardware

Regarding Passport, my review is finally done It's possible I'll add a few points here and there and if you have open questions, feel free to comment or direct message me and I'll check those things out & add them to the review.

I am checking that out right now, and I will comment later

[n0nce]

Interesting! Someone said Block builds good hardware or something like that; aren't they just an 'umbrella' company for Square, CashApp and TIDAL? What did they build so far? (TIDAL LN payments eta wen @jack)

Square just rebranded and changed name to Block, and it's true about quality hardware they make, working on point of sale solutions they had to make POS hardware and accessories for that.
You can check on their website devices like Square Terminal, Square Reader for cards, Square Register and Stand, they even have Registers and complete kits available.
They obviously know how to make hardware, and Block wallet will be just one more in this list.
Checkout their website:
https://squareup.com/us/en/hardware

Oh that's cool, definitely going to check it tomorrow! I wasn't aware of the fact Square was making so much hardware already. Competition is the best way for development / progress.

Regarding Passport, my review is finally done It's possible I'll add a few points here and there and if you have open questions, feel free to comment or direct message me and I'll check those things out & add them to the review.

I am checking that out right now, and I will comment later

Cool, thanks in advance! It got quite long, I admit, and I even wanted to put in even more stuff