🟣 We are the Freedom Factory and we have built ethOS - a free and open source OS that embraces Ethereum and makes Web3 delightful on mobile devices.

Ethereum and the applications that use it are restricted on mobile. Most consumer internet activity occurs on mobile devices; however, Android and iOS treat Ethereum as an application, rather than the protocol that underpins Web3.

The iOS OpenSea app doesn’t let you buy, sell, or even send NFTs, because Apple wants a cut of Ethereum gas fees. Uniswap has created an iOS wallet that Apple didn’t approve for months, and they didn’t know why. Many applications that use Ethereum are never approved, or are limited in their functionality by rules imposed by Apple or Google. Furthermore, the Web3 user experience is terrible. Using Ethereum on mobile means browsing within a wallet, and bouncing back and forth between the wallet and the web app. Apple also does not allow token-gated features, which limits many use cases.

ethOS fully embraces Ethereum to unlock the full potential of Web3. ethOS features an onboard Ethereum light node and a System-level wallet, allowing for direct interaction between mobile applications and Ethereum, seamless switching between L1 and L2s, and gives users more security and control over their assets by leveraging device biometrics and notifications.

We released the first build of ethOS in July 2022, starting with a fork of Android which could be flash installed on Pixel 3 devices. We launched ethOS v2.0 at ETH Denver 2023, and in August of 2023, we sold out of 50 Pixel 7a devices that come preinstalled with ethOS (our first hardware offering).

We maintain a rapid pace of development, and have a long list of existing functionality and features of ethOS. Some cool ethOS features include:

• Onboard light client proxies: prior to the merge there was no need for centralized RPC services like Infura, less man-in-the-middle risk. Now ethOS has two light client proxies: The Nimbus lc proxy, and Helios. They verify 3rd party RPC providers using the eth_getProof call to give users trustless access, and give ethOS users increased options for liveness when centralized providers like Infura go down.
• System-level wallet: seamlessly switch between chains (Mainnet, Optimism, etc.), approve transactions without leaving your current browser or app, and no need for the centralized WalletConnect service.
• NFT minting from Gallery/Camera: Lets users directly publish images from their camera and photo roll as NFTs, in seconds.
• ethOS messaging: Contacts leverage ENS and ENS avatars, share addresses, and send crypto directly within messaging.
• Secure enclave key generation: private key is secured by a key in secure enclave.
• Biometric signing of transactions: sign transactions in-app or in-browser with your fingerprint without opening the wallet.
• Android apps and Services: install all apps available in the Google Play Store and use Google Play Services.
• Three Browser: a full web browser integrated with the system wallet for seamless signing without leaving the application.

🟣 What is next for ethOS?

We want to continue to build for the next generation that will come to crypto. We think that means upgrading crypto's mobile UX to be more frictionless, having developers launch their own web3 apps with that upgraded UX, and adding features that delight crypto users on mobile.

ethOS will remain an open source project, so come help us shape the future of web3 on mobile!