HTC Unveils Privacy Focused 5G Router That Can Run a Bitcoin Node

Published at: March 5, 2020

Electronics giant HTC has announced a new privacy-focused portable 5G blockchain router that enables users to run a full Bitcoin node.

Due to arrive by mid-year, the Exodus 5G Hub follows on from the success of the Tawainese manufacturer's Exodus 1 phones, which also have the ability to run nodes.

The Hub provides 5G connectivity to all internet enabled devices and uses Zion Vault software to enable users to store Bitcoin, Ethereum (including ERC-20 and ERC-721 tokens), Binance Coin, Litecoin and Stellar. The software offers security features including social recovery for private keys, meaning you can breakup, encrypt and share your recovery phrase among trusted friends. 

While many users probably won't want to run their own Bitcoin node on 5G, Zion Vault offers the ability to help secure the Bitcoin network by recording and verifying transactions.

Paranoid? This is packed with privacy focused apps

The device resembles a smart home device with its 5-inch screen and is packed with privacy focused apps including encrypted email service ProtonMail, blockchain friendly Brave Browser and decentralized VPN Incognito.

HTC says the device is more private than Amazon Alexa or Google Nest and is "the ultimate safeguard against the collection of data by big tech companies in your home”.

Phil Chen, decentralized chief officer at HTC said:

"Exodus is about ownership. Owning your keys, owning your data, owning your privacy. Exodus is the shield against the onslaught of big tech and its assault on the privacy of your home. By using the Exodus 5G Hub, you have more control and ownership of your data than ever before.”

Mobile phone style specs

The specs are similar to a mobile phone, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, 4GB of memory, a microSD slot, a nano SIM slot, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a 7,660mAh battery. The original HTC Hub was priced at $600 but pricing has not yet been revealed for the forthcoming version which is due to land in the second quarter.

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