Sirin Labs is redirecting its focus toward cryptocurrency. The smartphone maker behind the ultraexpensive Solarin, priced at $16,000, has unveiled Finney, a new product line designed from the ground u
Sirin Labs is redirecting its focus toward cryptocurrency. The smartphone maker behind the ultraexpensive Solarin, priced at $16,000, has unveiled Finney, a new product line designed from the ground up for crypto buyers. The company will release both a smartphone and a desktop computer, with the phone starting at $999 and the PC at $799.
The line takes its name from Hal Finney, a Bitcoin pioneer. The pivot signals a sharp change in direction for Sirin Labs. After launching Solarin, the company posted only $10 million in sales during its first year despite $72 million in development costs. Earlier in 2017, Sirin Labs laid off one-third of its workforce and regrouped around a new mission: "new computing devices."
Finney operates on an independent blockchain built on IOTA's Tangle blockchain. Transactions on this network carry no fees. The devices run Shield OS, an operating system Sirin Labs developed to handle crypto-native features: a cold wallet for offline coin storage, encrypted messaging and calls, three-factor authentication combining biometric recognition, pattern locks, and behavioral monitoring, plus peer-to-peer resource sharing. A decentralized app store built with Status.im will distribute applications.
Only SRN token holders can purchase Finney devices. The token serves as the blockchain's native currency. Both the hardware and operating system will be open source.
CEO and founder Moshe Hogeg described the move as a refinement of Solarin's approach. "We're paying close attention to the feedback we've received for Solarin, and while Solarin is still being sold and serviced, we decided to take the core offering and to wrap it with a new sleek design that's a fraction of the cost, so it can serve the crypto community and their growing need for enhanced security," he said.
The Finney smartphone features a 5.2-inch QHD display, 256 gigabytes of storage, and 8 gigabytes of RAM. A 16-megapixel rear camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide front-facing camera handle imaging. The device supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.0.
Multiple security layers distinguish the platform. A physical switch disables wallet access if the device is stolen or lost. The operating system incorporates an intrusion detection system that analyzes user behavior and alerts to anomalies. At the blockchain level, the network creates tamper-proof records that prevent unauthorized changes to wallet data or transaction history.
Sirin Labs plans to ship Finney devices sometime next year.
