1.1. The Solana Saga<\/b><\/h3>\n![\"Solana\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aayushbhaskar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gsmarena_001.jpg?resize=800%2C407&ssl=1\")
Teaser of the Solana Saga<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Solana aims to launch a smartphone device operating in the Android environment called the Solana Saga<\/a>. The device will hit shelves in early 2023 & be priced at $1,000. <\/span><\/p>\n The blockchain has partnered with Jason Keats of OSOM products and it is understood that the previously announced OSOM OV1\u00a0 will be rebranded as the Solana Saga<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Solana\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aayushbhaskar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/osom_privacy_cable.jpg?resize=800%2C800&ssl=1\")
Teaser of the OSOM OV1 & OSOM Privacy Cable<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The device itself will operate as a native Crypto wallet<\/a> and have access to an app store developed using the SMS and boasting various dApps. <\/span><\/p>\n The key features are still sketchy but it is understood that this will be a cold wallet with direct connectivity to dApps instead of the present system of having a browser connect you through. <\/span><\/p>\n
Thus, think of it as a crypto-native device with the UX of a software wallet & security of a hardware wallet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
1.2. The Solana Mobile Stack<\/b> \u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"Solana\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aayushbhaskar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Screenshot-2022-06-26-12.30.12-PM.png?resize=800%2C421&ssl=1\")
Solana Mobile Stack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The Solana Mobile Stack or SMS<\/a> will be launched as a set of developer tools to help bring to market Mobile applications that directly link with the hardware wallet properties of the Solana Saga. <\/span><\/p>\n The idea is that this dedicated development environment will make it easier for applications to be made on user-centric protocols through this toolkit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
2. Why is Solana Getting Into The Smartphone Business?<\/b><\/h2>\n2.1. Trouble With Apple & Google<\/b><\/h3>\n
The Crypto industry as a whole has had issues in the past in terms of engaging Apple & Google for their dApps to be listed on their play stores, a fact that the Solana co-founder made clear in his post-launch interviews<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n In most cases, these bottlenecks are regulatory in nature and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. <\/span><\/p>\n
A decentralized app store will help solve this problem and also nudge both giants to relax their rules on listing new Crypto dApps on their marketplace once they see the volume shift from Apple Pay & Google Pay to the Sol wallet built-in the Solana Saga.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
2.2. Democratizing Access to Crypto<\/b><\/h3>\n
Bringing in new people to Crypto is a challenge, especially in decentralized environments, as the process isn’t straightforward to the layman. Imagine giving 1 billion people a hardware wallet with a set of instructions. <\/span><\/p>\n
It is practically impossible to achieve any measured success in such an endeavor.<\/span><\/p>\n
However, and as Brian Armstrong of Coinbase makes the case here<\/a>, 1 billion people in the world use smartphones & shipping such a Crypto enabled device with superior UX would likely make bringing the next billion into this space a much easier task.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n3. Potential – A Critical Analysis<\/b><\/h2>\n3.1. Hardware Wallet Security & Software Wallet Utility\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
The Solana Saga & SMS will revolutionize the self-custody space by fusing the Mobile device & the physical wallet into a single device. At present, smartphones can only access hot wallets on-chain, which is a security risk. <\/span><\/p>\n
Cold wallets have grown in acceptability as mobility has improved with time, given size has gotten smaller. <\/span><\/p>\n
However, the need to connect them with a device to operate makes the process tedious. Integration of the wallet with dApps and other parameters like \u201ctap and pay\u201d & scan QR codes is expected to increase overall Crypto adoption.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
At the moment details on security parameters in case you lose access to your phone are sketchy & that remains a major risk. The phone could be stolen, lost, damaged, or heat up & blow up. <\/span><\/p>\n
How would the digital assets inside the device be recovered? If you could buy another device and put in your recovery phrase for getting access again to that wallet, then I believe the Solana Saga will essentially remain a software wallet only.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
3.2. More dApps, High Privacy & No Ads<\/b><\/h3>\n
A full dApp store will increase overall Crypto adoption, as many dApps that are unable to list on the Apple and Google Play Store due to regulatory concerns & shady rules will find a home of their own inside the Solana Saga. <\/span><\/p>\n
This, together with the in-built wallet<\/a>, will increase access to dApps thus ushering in more crypto adoption. Politically, this could potentially checkmate Apple and Google to follow suit by becoming more Crypto friendly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most importantly, dApps will not record your personal data, keeping true to the spirit of decentralization. That means enhanced privacy & fewer ads. <\/span><\/p>\n
This is a huge win for the privacy market & will have a damaging impact on the current state of play with applications on the Apple Store and Google Play which are not only selling user data but also killing the UX as they are riddled with ads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The only hitch is that for all this to happen, enough developers have to take to SMS to build these apps that are not crypto in nature. Imagine a private no-ad Facebook or Twitter. <\/span><\/p>\n
If not, they need to find ways in which they can be integrated into a Web3 environment with privacy conservation. Otherwise, all this just looks good on paper.<\/span><\/p>\n
3.3. Transaction Signing Goes Native<\/b><\/h3>\n
Essentially, your sign-in to your wallet practically means you are past the login stage & it makes sense then to repeal the need for having you login to each app & website once again. <\/span><\/p>\n
This is huge from the point of view that it would become extremely easier from a UX perspective to use mobile for transactions. Think of Signing in with Google. <\/span><\/p>\n
One password for everything and no need for waiting for a 2FA to be emailed to you for each and every transaction. This would, in my opinion, make the Web3 experience reality as one could simply stay in the browser and make purchases. <\/span><\/p>\n
No need for going to a different hosting service and entering your credit card<\/a> details.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Again, while you are ready to pay in crypto, there has to be a willing counterparty on the other side too. Much of Web3’s taking off will require the producers of today to accept crypto as payment. <\/span><\/p>\n
Otherwise, the Solana Saga cannot really have a crack at native transaction signing to go mainstream. <\/span><\/p>\n
Simply, I can’t pay my Medium<\/a> subscription in crypto if Medium does not accept it yet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n3.4. Identity<\/b><\/h3>\n
No one carries their hardware wallet around to a cinema or a concert. Hence, a crypto-native device such as the Solana Saga will be a boon to crypto ticketing and event management projects. <\/span><\/p>\n
Solana aims to launch a smartphone device operating in the Android environment called the Solana Saga<\/a>. The device will hit shelves in early 2023 & be priced at $1,000. <\/span><\/p>\n The blockchain has partnered with Jason Keats of OSOM products and it is understood that the previously announced OSOM OV1\u00a0 will be rebranded as the Solana Saga<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The device itself will operate as a native Crypto wallet<\/a> and have access to an app store developed using the SMS and boasting various dApps. <\/span><\/p>\n The key features are still sketchy but it is understood that this will be a cold wallet with direct connectivity to dApps instead of the present system of having a browser connect you through. <\/span><\/p>\n Thus, think of it as a crypto-native device with the UX of a software wallet & security of a hardware wallet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Solana Mobile Stack or SMS<\/a> will be launched as a set of developer tools to help bring to market Mobile applications that directly link with the hardware wallet properties of the Solana Saga. <\/span><\/p>\n The idea is that this dedicated development environment will make it easier for applications to be made on user-centric protocols through this toolkit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Crypto industry as a whole has had issues in the past in terms of engaging Apple & Google for their dApps to be listed on their play stores, a fact that the Solana co-founder made clear in his post-launch interviews<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n In most cases, these bottlenecks are regulatory in nature and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. <\/span><\/p>\n A decentralized app store will help solve this problem and also nudge both giants to relax their rules on listing new Crypto dApps on their marketplace once they see the volume shift from Apple Pay & Google Pay to the Sol wallet built-in the Solana Saga.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bringing in new people to Crypto is a challenge, especially in decentralized environments, as the process isn’t straightforward to the layman. Imagine giving 1 billion people a hardware wallet with a set of instructions. <\/span><\/p>\n It is practically impossible to achieve any measured success in such an endeavor.<\/span><\/p>\n However, and as Brian Armstrong of Coinbase makes the case here<\/a>, 1 billion people in the world use smartphones & shipping such a Crypto enabled device with superior UX would likely make bringing the next billion into this space a much easier task.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Solana Saga & SMS will revolutionize the self-custody space by fusing the Mobile device & the physical wallet into a single device. At present, smartphones can only access hot wallets on-chain, which is a security risk. <\/span><\/p>\n Cold wallets have grown in acceptability as mobility has improved with time, given size has gotten smaller. <\/span><\/p>\n However, the need to connect them with a device to operate makes the process tedious. Integration of the wallet with dApps and other parameters like \u201ctap and pay\u201d & scan QR codes is expected to increase overall Crypto adoption.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At the moment details on security parameters in case you lose access to your phone are sketchy & that remains a major risk. The phone could be stolen, lost, damaged, or heat up & blow up. <\/span><\/p>\n How would the digital assets inside the device be recovered? If you could buy another device and put in your recovery phrase for getting access again to that wallet, then I believe the Solana Saga will essentially remain a software wallet only.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A full dApp store will increase overall Crypto adoption, as many dApps that are unable to list on the Apple and Google Play Store due to regulatory concerns & shady rules will find a home of their own inside the Solana Saga. <\/span><\/p>\n This, together with the in-built wallet<\/a>, will increase access to dApps thus ushering in more crypto adoption. Politically, this could potentially checkmate Apple and Google to follow suit by becoming more Crypto friendly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most importantly, dApps will not record your personal data, keeping true to the spirit of decentralization. That means enhanced privacy & fewer ads. <\/span><\/p>\n This is a huge win for the privacy market & will have a damaging impact on the current state of play with applications on the Apple Store and Google Play which are not only selling user data but also killing the UX as they are riddled with ads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The only hitch is that for all this to happen, enough developers have to take to SMS to build these apps that are not crypto in nature. Imagine a private no-ad Facebook or Twitter. <\/span><\/p>\n If not, they need to find ways in which they can be integrated into a Web3 environment with privacy conservation. Otherwise, all this just looks good on paper.<\/span><\/p>\n Essentially, your sign-in to your wallet practically means you are past the login stage & it makes sense then to repeal the need for having you login to each app & website once again. <\/span><\/p>\n This is huge from the point of view that it would become extremely easier from a UX perspective to use mobile for transactions. Think of Signing in with Google. <\/span><\/p>\n One password for everything and no need for waiting for a 2FA to be emailed to you for each and every transaction. This would, in my opinion, make the Web3 experience reality as one could simply stay in the browser and make purchases. <\/span><\/p>\n No need for going to a different hosting service and entering your credit card<\/a> details.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Again, while you are ready to pay in crypto, there has to be a willing counterparty on the other side too. Much of Web3’s taking off will require the producers of today to accept crypto as payment. <\/span><\/p>\n Otherwise, the Solana Saga cannot really have a crack at native transaction signing to go mainstream. <\/span><\/p>\n Simply, I can’t pay my Medium<\/a> subscription in crypto if Medium does not accept it yet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n No one carries their hardware wallet around to a cinema or a concert. Hence, a crypto-native device such as the Solana Saga will be a boon to crypto ticketing and event management projects. <\/span><\/p>\n1.2. The Solana Mobile Stack<\/b> \u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
2. Why is Solana Getting Into The Smartphone Business?<\/b><\/h2>\n
2.1. Trouble With Apple & Google<\/b><\/h3>\n
2.2. Democratizing Access to Crypto<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Potential – A Critical Analysis<\/b><\/h2>\n
3.1. Hardware Wallet Security & Software Wallet Utility\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
3.2. More dApps, High Privacy & No Ads<\/b><\/h3>\n
3.3. Transaction Signing Goes Native<\/b><\/h3>\n
3.4. Identity<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/aayushbhaskar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Solana-Smartphone.png?w=800&ssl=1\")
","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aayushbhaskar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Solana-Smartphone.png\")
","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":9,"featured_media":8166,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[112],"tags":[161],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/aayushbhaskar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Solana-Smartphone.png","acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n