A secretive bitcoin-related computer company called 21.co has released its first product: a bitcoin miner, i.e., a Raspberry Pi 2 connected to a bitcoin mining rig.
For those who are uninitiated with the world of bitcoin, the digital currency, or the bitcoin market, here's a brief primer on bitcoin mining, according to the appropriately-named website Bitcoin Mining:
"With bitcoin, miners use special software to solve math problems and are issued a certain number of bitcoins in exchange. This provides a smart way to issue the currency and also creates an incentive for more people to mine."
This, therefore, is what makes 21.co's product unique: it's designed specifically for a bitcoin miner or collector, and, according to 21.co, runs on native software with native hardware. Named the "21 Bitcoin Computer," the apparatus also touts a Wi-Fi adapter and a 128 GB SD card. The 21 Bitcoin Computer can also be compatibly connected to other systems, including Mac and PC computers.
The native software the bitcoin mining machine entails include a bitcoin chip (which streams searching data 24/7) and a server that lets the user barter and buy in bitcoin, among other things.
The ethic behind 21.co is the impetus for realizing the true potential of bitcoin. Among other recent developments on the bitcoin front are a consortium of banks working with tech company R3 to develop the blockchain technology that underlies the digital currency, and bitcoin gaining commodity status with a recent ruling by the U.S. Commodity Futures and Trading Commission, which requires bitcoin operators to now register with the CFTC.
"[21.co believes] that bitcoin isn't going to happen simply by dropping a line of JavaScript into a webpage," as is written on the 21.co website. "Someone needs to build the full-stack infrastructure for bitcoin, from silicon to software."
The 21 Bitcoin Computer is now available for preorder at Amazon; systems run at $399 for purchase. As per 21.co's website FAQ, the computers will be shipped out to buyers on Nov. 15.
Via: Tech Crunch
