At CES 2019, we got a first look at the Pundi X XPhone. It's an Android-based phone that uses blockchain technology to make encrypted phone calls and messages.
The device shown at CES was a prototype, but Pundi X didn't reveal much in terms of details. In terms of design, the device appeared to be nice and large, but with unusual square corners. The new device is expected to launch in spring 2019, with upgraded hardware, as mentioned by Pundi X Manager Marcus Leblanc.
The biggest interest lies in the phone's software. Specifically, the phone can operate in regular Android mode but also switch to the new "Blockchain mode," which is used to encrypt calls and messages to other XPhones. The blockchains for each device act as nodes in the network and request other information only from other trusted nodes.
How will blockchain work in the company's new phones?
Essentially, Pundi X's blockchain-based network creates an encrypted mini-internet within the internet, and phones locate each other using addresses stored on the blockchains. One can then make voice-over-IP calls or access public content stored on other Xphone devices using an fxtp:// protocol.
Beyond that, Pundi X is attempting with the Xphone to demonstrate the operation of a mobile communications network, without relying on a central switching system for addressing and routing. Instead, the goal is to have a reliably encrypted, peer-to-peer network that frees up communications and doesn't have to go through carriers first. Leblanc said the main goal of the new device is to be able to run the ROM that is already available on any Android device.
