Polygon partners with phone maker Nothing to bring Web3 tech to mobile users

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  • Polygon has partnered with Nothing to give mobile users easy and simple access to Web3 tech. 
  • Nothing will virtually launch its first smartphone, The Nothing Phone (1), on July 12th.

Decentralized Ethereum scaling platform Polygon is partnering with phone manufacturer Nothing to integrate Web3 technology. Polygon announced the partnership with Nothing, revealing that it is bringing its tech into the Nothing Phone (1). Carl Pei’s startup Nothing is planning to launch its first smartphone, Nothing Phone (1), on July 12th. The company will launch the transparent and boxy-designed cell phone in a virtual event. The unique phone company has gained the attention of tech experts like Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin, iPod co-creator Tony Fadell, and Reddit CEO Steve Huffman. 

Polygon and Nothing have been working together for months to develop the partnership and discuss the project’s evolution. The deal will begin with an NFT membership club, where the scaling platform’s NFTs will be available for people who support the crowdfunding of the phone maker’s launch. People who pre-order the Nothing Phone (1) will also have access to the Polygon NFTs. Holders of Nothing’s Black Dot NFTs will have early access to certain products and events and enjoy more benefits. 

Polygon collaborates with Nothing 

As Polygon collaborates with Nothing Phone (1), the cell phone has smooth access to apps and games on the Polygon platform. Additionally, Nothing Phone (1) will have access to Polygon’s payments and future features, including its proof-based identification solution, Polygon ID. The Vice President of Growth at Polygon, Arjun Kalsy, said:

How do we get even closer to the user? The largest distribution platform in the world is the mobile phone. Basically, the timing was right that now we can take this technology to the masses.

He revealed that Nothing got to know about Polygon through one of the VC backers of its February funding. The Ethereum scaling platform raised $450 million in the funding round led by Sequoia Capital India. The VP also expressed his surprise with the deep knowledge about Web3 by the Nothing team. He said he was intrigued by the first conversation with the team member. He acknowledged that “they understand how Web3 works.” 

Kalsy talked about the need to help users take back control in a decentralized world. He explained that users people need to log in with either a Google ID or an Apple ID, before accessing an Android or Apple phone. The executive added that “to an extent, Apple or Google owns the customer, right? That is where the value comes from.”

Solana is also working on bringing crypto and NFTs to a larger audience by making Web3 easier on smartphones. Unlike Polygon, Solana is manufacturing its own smartphone. Kalsy noted his preference for partnering with a phone company, allowing each alliance to focus on its expertise. 

Can we build a mobile phone? I’m sure we can. But would we build the world’s best mobile phone? No. That is something which Carl and HTC, and the Samsungs, LGs, or Apple of the world are the best at.