Indonesian Startup Pundi X Unveils Blockchain-Based Smartphone, OS and Communication Protocol

Indonesian point-of-sale (POS) terminal maker Pundi X Labs (Pundi X) has unveiled the development of a new smartphone as well as an operating system and communication protocol for mobile devices based completely on blockchain technology. Pundi X claims the XPhone lets users call, send messages, and transfer files all by using blockchain instead of traditional carriers.

The startup said on Wednesday that it has successfully made the first phone call on an operating system powered by a fully decentralized blockchain network it is developing called Function X. The proof of working concept was showcased earlier this week at the XBlockchain Summit in Bali.

“Pundi X develops technology to solve challenges that blockchain technology is facing and make it usable in our life,” said Pitt Huang, the co-founder and CTO of Pundi X, as quoted by App Developer Magazine.

“We see blockchain as being at a similar stage of development to the Internet in the early ‘90s; a new kind of network and decentralized protocol like Function X will be transformational to blockchain as the browser was to the Internet. For a start, it’s putting blockchain in the hands of millions via a smartphone and returning control of their data back to them, but it also answers so many other challenges.

“The possibilities for decentralized data storage and transmission are limitless. Decentralization is the core of blockchain technology and the new protocol for truly decentralized data transmission reflects Pundi X’s belief that everything should flow from this core philosophy.”

Zac Cheah, CEO and co-founder of Pundi X, said that by offering people the choice to be independent of a centralized communications network, his company was creating a new use for blockchain that can be appreciated and used by the mainstream.

“This will have considerable implications for the future of blockchain and give life to a network large enough to support better scale, throughput, new potential applications and true decentralisation that has so far eluded blockchain,” Cheah said.

According to a blog post, Function X consists of five essential components: Function X OS, Function X Blockchain, Function X IPFS, FXTP Protocol, and the Function X Docker. All five have one sole purpose which is to decentralize all apps, website, communications and data.

The Function X OS is based off the Android OS 9.0, therefore compatible with Android apps, the company claims. Every device in the Function X ecosystem will be a node and each will have its own address and private key, uniquely linked to their node names.

Pundi X, which initially focuses on POS devices that support cryptocurrency payments, said the Function X Blockchain, FXTP, IPFS, and XPhone will be officially launched in Q2 2019. More details about Function X will be released on October 15.

The XPhone joins the growing list of blockchain smartphones that have emerged in recent years. Smartphone manufacturer HTC and cryptocurrency startup Sirin Labs are working on blockchain phones.