A cloud-based application enters Solana to bring life to old devices

Mobile device users in developing economies and those hampered by outdated hardware can use the new virtual smartphone application that runs on Solana's blockchain and decentralized cloud infrastructure.

Afon launched the Solana ecosystem on March 7 as a web-based virtual smartphone that provides users with access to a variety of web3 and common applications. Jennifer Booth, head of development and growth for the iPhone ecosystem, revealed the details of the service in a letter to Cointelegraph.

The Afon looks like an Android smartphone and is platform-agnostic, meaning it can run on a browser, Android or Apple device. Instead of replacing the device's operating system, Bose says its interface, features and underlying technology act like an operating system.

“It's a cloud smartphone environment that users can access with their existing devices, using decentralized cloud computing to run Web3 applications seamlessly without the need for local hardware upgrades,” Bose explains.

The team envisions the virtual appliance as a way to onboard users to Web3 applications and protocols previously restricted by the devices' hardware limitations.

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The iPhone service bypasses the hardware limitations of older smartphone models by running on Aethir, a decentralized cloud-based graphics processing unit (GPU) computing infrastructure. The Aphone interface and its applications run on a cloud service, which allows users to access applications and games that the physical device cannot handle.

According to Bose, the virtual device's main use case is to drive access to the wider Web3 ecosystem, where smartphones are becoming more ubiquitous in emerging markets as mobile Internet access expands.

“Using Ethereum's decentralized cloud technology, these users can experience advanced Web3 applications, NFTs, DeFi platforms, blockchain games, and run multiple smartphones on a single device.”

The virtual option to buy a new smartphone costs users $20 a year. Prospective users can purchase the Aphone nonfungible token (NFT) buried and burned on the Solana blockchain, giving users access to the virtual device.

The tool provides access to multiple decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) running on Solana. This includes Helium, which rewards users by providing network coverage and confirming transactions.

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Cointelegraph asked why Afon should work on blockchain infrastructure and the purpose of the PHONE token from which it was born. Bose says running on Solana will provide higher transaction speeds, lower costs and improved security and decentralization.

“These features support a seamless Web3 experience, including access to NFTs, tokens and DApps. Atir's infrastructure enables the powerful processing capabilities needed to demand Web3 applications, making the integration of blockchain technology essential to APhone functionality,” added Bose.

The device's native token is designed to be used for governance and rewards incentive mechanisms to encourage user engagement and participation.

As previously explored by Cointelegraph, DePINs are leveraging their resources to power artificial intelligence tools, which are becoming increasingly valuable. The recently updated DP platform, IO.net, enables users to provide GPU computing power for AI and machine learning, while Solana's blockchain is used to process and facilitate millions of microtransactions to data centers and hardware vendors.

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