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Solana’s Steven Laver is bringing his experience from BlackBerry and Apple to the crypto world with the development of the Chapter 2 handset. The ambitious project aims to revolutionize the crypto experience by putting blockchain capabilities directly into the palm of your hand.
Laver, a seasoned software engineer with a background in developing products for tech giants like BlackBerry and Microsoft, joined Solana Labs in early 2022 to lead the charge on the Chapter 2 mobile phone. The device is set to be released in early 2025, with over 130,000 preorders already in place, totaling $65 million.
The decision to venture into manufacturing hardware is a bold move for Solana, a prominent player in the DeFi space with a token value of $82 billion. The goal is to liberate crypto from the confines of desktops and app platforms like Apple and Google, which have historically imposed high fees and restrictions on crypto-related apps.
While the mobile phone market is heavily dominated by Apple and Samsung, Solana is betting on the demand for a crypto-focused device that offers users more control and freedom in their crypto transactions. The Chapter 2 handset will come preloaded with five memecoins, following the success of the previous Solana Saga phone, which saw a surge in demand due to its integration with the BONK meme coin.
Despite the challenges of entering the competitive mobile phone market, Solana is confident in its ability to disrupt the status quo and provide a platform for developers to create innovative crypto apps. With the support of the Solana Mobile Stack and dApp Store, the company aims to challenge the dominance of traditional app stores and offer a more open and decentralized approach to crypto development.
As Solana continues to push the boundaries of crypto innovation, the launch of the Chapter 2 handset represents a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards mainstream adoption. With Laver at the helm, Solana is poised to make a lasting impact on the crypto industry and pave the way for a new era of mobile blockchain technology.