Skip to main content

Huawei is reportedly in talks with Sirin Labs to build a ‘blockchain smartphone’

It looks like Huawei may soon embrace the blockchain trend. According to a new report from Bloomberg, the company is considering building a phone using Sirin OS, a mobile operating system developed by Sirin Labs that’s capable of running blockchain applications. The report notes that the operating system would run alongside Android.

While no agreement is in place just yet between the new companies, Huawei could be the first major smartphone manufacturer to adopt blockchain technology if a deal is made.

There are a few advantages to using blockchain. It’s basically a ledger that records every single transaction chronologically. This ledger is decentralized, meaning that there’s no one corporation or organization that holds all of its information. Instead, the information is stored across all devices. The technology has been mostly adopted in the cryptocurrency world — but it could easily be applied to other areas. It has also has yet to become a mainstream concept — though adoption by companies like Huawei could help change that.

Sirin Labs has been developing its blockchain-based operating system for about a year now, and it’s aimed at allowing users to access blockchain-based apps, such as cryptocurrency wallets. It has even built its own phone, called the Finney phone, which it plans to sell for $1,000 in the second half of the year. The phone will offer features such as an embedded cold storage cryptocurrency wallet, which allows for the storage of cryptocurrency offline.

Huawei and Sirin Labs have reportedly been in talks for about two months. As reported by Bloomberg, a caption under an image posted by Sirin Labs in a Telegram group chat reads: “Amazing meeting just concluded between Sirin Labs and Huawei. Among other things discussed was the possibility of cooperating together to bring blockchain technology to the masses in a secure way.”

It will be very interesting to see what comes of the talks between the two companies, if anything. Either way, we’re likely to see blockchain technology start bleeding into consumer consciousness, though whether it’s in the form of a phone or something else remains to be seen. For now, blockchain technology is largely limited to cryptocurrencies.

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
Chinese smartphone brands build consortium to challenge Google Play domination
huawei p30 pro vs oppo reno 10x zoom camera shootout cameras

Four giants of the Chinese smartphone industry have apparently formed a consortium to take on the dominance of the Google Play Store, which cannot be accessed in China due to Google services being banned there. However, while making it easier to access apps, the consortium’s plans may also be a response to the current political situation between China and the U.S., which has already affected Huawei’s relationship with Google.

Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have reportedly formed the Global Developer Service Alliance, or GDSA, which will build an internationally available platform for developers to present and promote their apps to new audiences through all the brands' own application stores. In China, all smartphone brands have their own app stores — Huawei’s App Gallery, and Xiaomi’s App Store, for example — which are a valuable source of revenue for each. The process would be streamlined so apps only need to be uploaded once to appear across all the stores.

Read more
Huawei Mate X2 folding phone patent shows big design change over the original
huawei mate x review hinge

The Huawei Mate X2 is rumored to be Huawei’s next major foldable smartphone release, and may potentially arrive toward the end of 2020. Rumors about the phone have been spreading, including some possible standout design features, and how it will differ from the current Huawei Mate X. Let's take a closer look at the Huawei Mate X2.
Huawei Mate X2, not the Mate Xs
Huawei is expected to launch a revised version of the original Mate X folding phone during Mobile World Congress 2020. It’s currently known as the Huawei Mate Xs, and isn’t the Mate X2. The Mate Xs is likely to be very similar to the first Mate X on the outside, but with the new Kirin 990 processor inside, an improved hinge, and a tougher folding display.
Huawei Mate X2 announcement and release
The Huawei Mate X2 has been rumored for release after summer this year, sometime between July and September, making it possible the phone will arrive soon after the IFA 2020 technology trade show. The timing may mean the Mate X2’s announcement will come at the same time as a Mate 40 phone from Huawei.
Huawei Mate X2 design

What will the Huawei Mate X2 look like? Unlike the Mate X, a patent filed by Huawei shows what could be the Mate X2 with a screen that folds inward, like the Samsung Galaxy Fold. However, the design will allow for a side bar down one edge, which makes the phone easier to hold with one hand, something we noted about the current Mate X. This bar has a display on one side, which could be used to show notifications. There doesn’t seem to be any other outer display.

Read more
Hurry! The 10.2-inch iPad has a $100 discount pre-Prime Day
Apple iPad 9th Gen. 2021 on porch with toys.

Ahead of the core Prime Day deals season next week, all major retailers are launching some great early discounts. Right now, Best Buy has the pick of the early Prime Day iPad deals with $100 off the Apple iPad 10.2-inch 9th generation. It usually costs $330, but right now it’s down to $230, which is a fantastic price for a still highly relevant tablet. If you’re keen to learn more, keep reading and we’ll take you through exactly why this iPad could be the one for you.

Why you should buy the Apple iPad 10.2
Still considered to be one of the best iPads for anyone on a budget, the Apple iPad 10.2 continues to offer great performance at an even more affordable price. In our Apple iPad 10.2 review, we cited how much we loved its great battery life, powerful internals, and amazing software support. It still has a lightning port, which feels increasingly dated with the rise of USB-C, and the display could be brighter, but those are all reasonable trade-offs in this price range.

Read more