Author: Token Relations

Compiled by: Tim, PANews

In this month's new episode of the Solana Sessions interview series, we interviewed Emmett Hollyer, General Manager of Solana Mobile.

Solana Mobile is an innovative project launched by Solana Labs, dedicated to deeply integrating crypto-native features into smartphones. The newly released Seeker phone is the practical embodiment of this concept, featuring an Android device with a built-in 'Seed Vault' encrypted wallet that securely stores private key mnemonics and provides native support for decentralized applications through the Solana dApp store.

Solana Mobile is building a product that matches the smoothness of Web2 devices while integrating Web3 elements. We will explore how this project can provide a more user-friendly mobile Web3 experience for crypto users and developers by enhancing usability, security, and performance, thus promoting the mobile evolution of the Web3 ecosystem.

Exploring a new era of Web3 smartphones

Ordinary people constantly focus on their smartphones, while crypto-native users cannot do without computer monitors. However, a major pain point in the current Web3 is that too many applications are not mobile-friendly.

Solana Mobile is attempting to solve this problem through 'Seeker', a phone designed to make it easier for people on the go to use crypto applications. Solana Mobile General Manager Emmet Hollyer stated that this new phone is just over two years away from the launch of the flagship model Saga, but it brings new design elements.

This phone introduces a brand new seed vault technology for protecting digital assets. Users can sign transactions with a double tap + fingerprint scan, and the operational logic is completely consistent with the authentication method of Apple Pay.

Hollyer stated: "We want to make everything as simple and smooth as possible; you should feel no obstacles when using internet products, but when you start using crypto products, it often becomes very difficult."

Solana Seeker also hopes to make the development experience equally convenient and cost-effective. Hollyer stated that the Solana mobile dApp store gathers nearly a hundred mobile applications and allows for free deployment of applications. Unlike various limitations that traditional web app stores may have, the Solana Mobile store breaks conventions, enabling developers to fully unleash their creativity and truly experience decentralization.

Hollyer added: "Our platform is extremely friendly to cryptocurrencies; developers do not need to overly concern themselves with marketing or hide crypto features, and we do not charge any fees. Our core focus is on supporting development teams to create excellent applications and successfully launch them."

The Seeker phone cancels the common fee structure found in other mobile app stores. "The core idea of many cryptocurrency innovations is to eliminate intermediaries between users and businesses," Hollyer said. "Charging a high commission of 30% goes against our ecological philosophy, and we firmly believe that we do not need to achieve our goals this way."

Solana Mobile is fully committed to making Seeker a 'financial infrastructure' platform that goes beyond crypto devices. Operations Director Hollyer revealed that with the launch of 'Seeker Season' in September, more dApps will go live. This phone, positioned as 'financial infrastructure', is expanding inclusive financial scenarios by lowering the access threshold for developers. Whether for user acquisition or application development, the Seeker phone will become a foundational channel for breaking industry barriers.

Hollyer pointed out: "If we can create a scenario where a series of attractive and unique applications emerge, attracting more users to use their phones and increase consumption, then the resulting flow of funds will create economic opportunities for developers, thus attracting more developers to join." He also added that this flywheel effect will jointly build a sustainable financial ecosystem for users and developers.

Solana Seeker sales performance report

  • 150,000 pre-sale orders

  • 80% of orders come from regions outside the United States

  • 10 tracks, 100 dApps

  • Price: $500

Solana Seeker hardware configuration

  • MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor

  • 8GB RAM

  • 128G storage space

  • 6.36-inch AMOLED display, 460 PPI, 120 Hz