The issue of internet security isn’t going to go away any time soon, and if anything 2015 will probably be the year it becomes a household talking point. After the U.S. Central Command’s (or CENTCOM) Twitter account was hacked yesterday, its clear that even the most stringent of government agencies are susceptible to naughty people breaking through their cyber security gates. That’s probably why the BOSS Phone was born.
For ordinary people who dislike being watched, BOSS Phone uses the Tor anonymity network to randomise traffic to and from the phone. It’s not quite a novel idea — the BlackPhone was probably the first privacy-crazed smartphone released to the public — but what is impressive is what consumers get for the price.
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With a screen standing at 7-inches, its barely a phone and definitely larger than the average single-handed tablet. It’s also packed with a denser-than-HD 1920×1200 screen. Added to the mix is a MediaTek Octacore, which should be rather great for multitasking. There’s no RAM figure quoted, but storage stands at 16GB with a microSD expansion slot if need be.
While the bezels are as thick as window panes the battery, at 3000mAh, leaves a lot to be desired.
But this phone seems to be more for the particularly picky user than anything else. The BOSS Phone comes unlocked and features a dual-SIM slot, which means the user can swop between two networks on a whim.
So how lighter will your wallet be after getting the BOSS Phone? Just US$399, and at that price it’s hard to overlook it especially considering its arsenal of privacy features and strong hardware base.
Currently enjoying an Indiegogo funding round, the BOSS Phone developers are looking for US$150 000. At the time of writing, they have accrued just over US$20 000 with seven weeks left in the funding phase.
Whether this phone does see the light of day is a matter on its own, but it’s promising to see companies (even small, independent Indiegogo developers) think about privacy at the root and hardware-based level.
