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Solana has officially launched its new smartphone, called “Seeker,” which the company claims represents a significant advancement in Web3 mobile technology.
With a price tag of approximately half that of its predecessor, Seeker is designed to appeal to a wider audience, not just memecoin fans, by offering improved features.
“It’s the ultimate web3 mobile device, crafted to synchronize hardware & software,” Solana stated in a recent update on X.
Saga Gained Traction After Surge in BONK
The previous model, Saga, which debuted in May of last year, initially faced challenges in gaining popularity.
It received mixed reviews from both technology reviewers and cryptocurrency users.
However, the device saw a surprising rise in demand in December after a 1,000% increase in the value of a memecoin named Bonk (BONK), resulting in a complete sell-out of the device by mid-December.
In light of this, Solana aims to replicate some of that success with Seeker, targeting around 140,000 users who have pre-ordered the device, with prices ranging from $450 to $500.
The company assures these users access to various rewards, while emphasizing that Seeker will provide much more than just opportunities related to memecoin trends.
“We established Solana Mobile with the goal of making crypto mobile,” stated Solana Co-Founder and Solana Labs CEO Anatoly Yakovenko.
“To accomplish this, we needed to enhance Seeker’s accessibility, affordability, and ensure its hardware and software are even more closely integrated for web3.”
A standout feature of Seeker is its improved decentralized app (DApp) store, which aims to offer developers a platform for swiftly launching new applications.
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Additionally, the new model’s hardware enhancements are designed to attract potential buyers.
3/ Introducing Seed Vault Wallet, created for Seeker in partnership with @solflare_wallet!
This mobile-first wallet integrates with Seed Vault for seamless self-custody. Send transactions with a double tap and get a smoother, upgraded UX. pic.twitter.com/o0cOnRlBsy— Solana Mobile 2️⃣ (@solanamobile) September 19, 2024
The original Saga faced criticism for its technical shortcomings compared to mainstream devices such as the iPhone or Google Pixel.
In contrast, Seeker will feature a higher-quality display, enhanced cameras, and an improved battery, making it “lighter, brighter, and better” than its predecessor.
Seeker Users Might Get Around $265 Worth of Airdrops
As Seeker seeks to move past the “memecoin phone” label, those anticipating significant rewards may need to adjust their expectations.
According to Solana’s mobile airdrop tracker, TwoLoot, the current value of tokens airdropped to Seeker users is approximately $265, which is considerably less than the $1,350 worth of rewards given to Saga users.
Nonetheless, Solana contends that Seeker’s primary selling point is its ability to offer users a diverse array of crypto-integrated experiences.
For example, the device’s zero-fee App Store is a distinctive feature that could encourage crypto-friendly innovation in ways that traditional app stores, limited by Apple and Google policies, cannot.
Currently, token launchpads like the memecoin deployer pump.fun would face challenges operating under the existing App Store regulations, which require developers to relinquish 30% of any token sales and navigate a complicated review process.
Instead, Seeker is positioned to become a central hub for token launchpads and other Web3 applications.
The device will include integrations to support Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) applications, such as Helium and Infield, further solidifying its role as a pioneering tool in the Web3 landscape.
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