Topic: New HW wallet announced: COLDCARD Q1 - page 3. (Read 1216 times)

I cannot find clear information about this from Nokia directly, but just a few years ago they released a new product with this battery:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_105_(2019)

Since I've seen it in other brands' phones, too, and Foundation sells a 'Foundation Devices' branded one with their hardware wallet, I suspect that you can get them as a business customer either from Nokia directly, or from clone manufacturers, easily.

There are newer variants like the thinner BL-4C, but I don't think the 5C is going to be discontinued / unavailable any time soon.

It's definitely good enough for a hardware wallet - much better than the triple-A's (at least with the power circuitry in Passport, that is).

The ol' Nokia batteries could be worth a shout. I know the 18650s are rather thick, but I'm not the most practical when it comes to size. I'm not bothered about a bulky hardware wallet, since I won't exactly be carrying it around with me. Although, I suspect some users would, and I guess manufactures have to take that into consideration. I believe Nokia's are still being manufactured too, right? I'm not sure if they've made more sophisticated batteries these days, but it's probably the most common battery after double A's, and triple A's.

I didn't catch on that the Foundation passport used Nokia batteries, that's pretty neat. I'm glad to see hardware wallets looking to alternatives to the traditional batteries used.

Yeah, that's one of the requirements. It has to be readily changeable, and potentially salvageable from nearby devices. Like I said lithium batteries tend to have quite a long longevity, especially when they're unused. It's when you lower it, and charge it back up it goes through it's cycles.

Exactly, that's why I mentioned the Nokia BL-5C. It has been used for at least 20 years in all sorts of (Nokia) devices, such as the Nokia 3650 from 2002/2003. ^[1] This is what the Foundation Passport batch 2 hardware wallet uses.


[1] https://lpcwiki.miraheze.org/wiki/Nokia_3650

Yes, 18650 is a thick boy, Li-Po pouch would make more sense, but one that's standardized within the industry with like a three-pin connector.

I really believe that 199 dollars is just the price of coldcard q1, in fact on the site I found this sentence for shipments that quotes exactly like this "Free shipping on orders of $499 or more!" so I assume that when it will be possible to place the order, in addition to the price of q1 199dollars, the cost of shipping will also have to be added

Probably still pocketable from the size, only the thickness may get annoying. I'm mostly worried about the Alkaline batteries. From my research into the topic, they will either need a pretty sophisticated power circuit and (super?)capacitors to absorb power spikes and such, to prevent killing the battery charge in a few minutes of power-on time. Or drastically reduce power usage e.g. by killing backlight, having (AS)ICs to accelerate certain things at minimal power usage.


I would be honestly surprised if they actually run into the same issue, where only special and expensive Lithium (not Lithium-Ion) non-rechargeable AA's are required.
I'm pretty satisfied with the Nokia BL-5C battery. It holds a long time and you can get replacements very easily.

You want a camera module without IC on it and process the raw picture data in the open-source software. Instead, it seems like Q1 uses a 'self-contained' QR module with IC and software that does all the decoding and only returns the decoded data to the main SoC.

In case that Lithium batteries are needed, those are over 10 bucks a pack ^[1], every time. That adds up over time, indeed.

It is actually not cheaper than Passport, when it was in pre-order phase, too. It came with one Industrial microSD card and two microSD adapters (Lightning and USB-C).

18650 is definitely a good idea; Li-Ion and common to find anywhere. Only downside is the cylindrical and large shape. But I guess it may be possible to accommodate for it in a device with Q1's (or Passport's) thickness, especially since you only need one. However, it may be overkill in capacity compared to a Nokia BL-5C, which is also slimmer and lighter.

Even better: remove data contacts from the PCB..

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Lithium-Battery-Longest-lasting-Leak-proof/dp/B071CNQ3TG

I remember them mentioning that $199 is the full price in their podcast for now, but it will probably go up once it's out.


Given that they said they have already ordered the molds I'm assuming the size has already been decided.

Do we know if $199 is the total price, or just the cost to reserve one?

I got an email after ordering that when it's ready to ship I can add the Q1 to my cart and then add my reservation as a "discount."  And it appears no shipping or sales tax is charged yet.

Are you kidding me right now?
They showed many screenshots, so it's clear they are only working on internal and software related stuff.
Maybe they are little concerned what would people say when they see real dimensions, some would not purchase huge device that is more like small netbook.
Judging by meme posted by NVK this Coldcard Q1 is gigantic:


https://bird.trom.tf/COLDCARDwallet/status/1627472372096970753#m

It's safe to say one thing, this is going to be the BIGGEST hardware wallet in the world  

I want to have options with power, that means USB cable connection should always be there and batteries should be something like Keystone made, so you have regular and custom batteries available.

Drifting with the battery thing for a while. Makes you wonder how low you can go. Would it be possible to design a GOOD hardware wallet with decent screen and everything else.
BUT also have a 'low power' mode. Much like now have a green led for good, a red led for bad and instead of the higher power display use something like an e-ink.

The issue is the security and cpu chips. How low power can you get them. Is it possible to use some funky power setup to even run them off a single AA battery even if you have to throttle them all the way down.
Do you care if it takes 15 seconds to do something if you have to do it and the only power you could get is an old mostly dead battery?

Just pondering out loud here. Did not really think it thought that much.

-Dave

While Lithium batteries tend to hold good charge unless they're exposed to cold environments or obviously used they hold their charge decently well. 18650s aren't all that expensive these days. When you compare them to double AA's sure, they're comparatively cheaper, but if you're using your hardware wallet semi frequently, running into charge issues would be annoying. For a little extra cost, you could have two 18650's instead of three normal double A's, and you'll have a much better charge.

While 18650s are usually associated with flashlights, and battery packs I don't think they should be limited to that. The cost of them is going down, as we are developing stronger equipment that requires more mah. Therefore, double A's I can see becoming a thing of the past, and while they're brilliant for remote controls, and the like. 18650s future proof the design, and when you're storing Bitcoin for a rather long period of time having that future proof insurance is nicer to have.

Personally, I think hardware wallets should accept several different batteries. I have a DIY battery pack, that I take traveling which accepts double A's, 18650s, and 21's. If they did that, it effectively future proofs it, and allows quick access to whatever the user can get their hands on, if they require to do that in a short period of time.

They might be debating about the final size and weight themselves and they don't know yet how the final product will look like. If you look at the official specs, https://coldcard.com/docs/specs, the size and weight is yet to be determined. We only know the display size.

https://coldcard.com/docs/coldcard-q1

I don't know if you saw image I posted with Coldcard Q1 next to the model mk4 and laptop... but this is huge device, and I think we need to have a small backpack to carry this device outside.
Coldcard didn't release exact dimensions anywhere so we don't know the final looks, but that backside with batteries looks very thick like a brick.
Did anyone found exact dimension for Coldcard Q1 or maybe NVK can tell us this little ''secret''.

I can clearly see on Coinkite website that Uncle Jim's Bundle and KISB Guide Bundle are available now, and they all include USB-C cables.
They are also selling power only USB-C cables separately for $16.99  

Sales tax is just the way it is over here. And Best Buy being scummy is just the way best buy is.

As for the cable, I would like them to give you 2 cables. One with the data wires and one without. This way if your batteries are dead you always have a cable around that can power it by plugging it into anything without worry. Minor point but it would be nice.

But, lets face it. All their previous ones did not come with cables either so it's not like anything changed with that. All you got was the unit in a bag.

-Dave

Imagine using a Gameboy lookalike as your new hardware wallet? And I am not talking about the second generation pocket-sized ones, but the old brick-style consoles. I agree with dkbit98 that removing the cable is a ridiculous move and would force me to look elsewhere if I was looking to buy a hardware wallet. Not because I can't afford to buy a cable somewhere else or don't have spare ones somewhere, but because I expect to get a fully functioning device with everything that goes with it. What's next? You don't get a keyboard, but you can pay extra if you want them to install it for you?

I remember my first purchase in Best Buy in the States some 15 years ago (approx.) Didn't have much money back then, so it was a big thing for me. On top of the price displayed in the store, I also had to pay extra for taxes. Didn't know that's normal in the US back then. On top of that, they added an additional charge of $99. When I asked what that's for, they said their Geek Squad team was kind enough to install the OS on it + drivers for the graphics card, etc. I had a Carol-like fit when I heard that. I said, isn't that standard when you buy a laptop? Were you just going to give it to me with no OS installed, so I can't use if after paying for it? I didn't want to pay for it and asked the salesman to take it back and have their Geek Squad uninstall everything they put on it. After he spoke with his boss, I was told I didn't have to pay the extra $99. Jerk    

18650 are different in voltage that your classical AA batteries, plus packing more energy into the battery while increasing the cost makes little sense when you can simply buy rechargeable ones and use 4 or 6 of them to have one set always ready. Maybe it's just me, but talking about the extra cost of a few batteries and a cheap cable probably every single one of us is having laying around while discussing a device in which you plan to store thousands of $ equivalent seems a bit of a push.
As for why small producers do the cable thing, it's easy to understand, you include a good cable you have to rise the price a bit, you put in a junk one you have angry customers the cable is obviously junk, so why not get rid of all possible cable related complaints induced a bad batch and have the user decide for himself what to use.

I was quite intrigued by it due to the display and QR but what's with those dimensions, for real 4 inches wide? Hope it's not a trend and we're not going from wallets you can tuck in your pocket or hide beside flash drives to things the size of a tablet.

Yes they will fly and create so much waste and evil pollution with plane fuel burning... but I guess only usbc cables are creating waste in the world. 

Nothing, who said it has anything to do with iPhones?
Comparing smartphones that are sold in billions for decades I can somehow agree with their shitty tactics of removing chargers and cables in recent years.
But Coldcard is selling few hundred devices max, and they are already removing essential stuff for functioning of their devices.
I don't know any other hardware wallet brand that is doing this right now, so I have to criticize this stupid move.

I'm pretty sure this won't fly at all in the EU. 🤷‍♂️



ok to play the devil's advocate - you get the usb-c cable with the coldcard. What good does it do with your lightning port iphone exactly?

Dream on and read the latest news about that iPhone topic.
They are planning to introduce payment charges fee and verification for this special cables, so you won't be able to use your universal usb-c type cable  
Note that I am not a fan of iPhone at all, just trying to provide evidence that billions of people wont be able to use new coldcard device without paying extra money for new cable and new batteries.
Btw coldcard is based in Canada, that is North America, not EU.

At least in the EU apple is forced to switch to usb-c. Weather their shitty lightning through usb-c implementation will actually support data transfer on these devices - probably not because earning money through licencing lightning is too good of a deal for them - is a thing you should take up with apple.