Smartphones could become an integral part of blockchain networks, powering the connectivity between smart devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) industry.
Nodle is the company behind a connectivity platform that incentivizes users to become IoT network nodes. The network takes advantage of the increasing prevalence of smartphones worldwide and uses Bluetooth connectivity to rent the computing power, storage and capabilities of Bluetooth devices to extend the reach of IoT networks.
Nodle CEO Micha Anthenor Benoliel outlined details of the project in an interview with Cointelegraph, which seeks to connect to a global network of electronic devices connected via Bluetooth Low Energy communication. By leveraging the ability to communicate with smartphones through this connectivity, the Nodle network connects to a global pool of devices and computing power without deploying additional hardware.
Smartphones run Nodle software and operate a node to extend the network and provide resources to run what the project calls smart missions. As a new form of Action Earning (A2E) trend, users are rewarded for keeping the app active, allowing the node to complete these smart missions.
Nodle described smart missions as similar to smart contracts on the Ethereum network. The main difference is that these smart contracts are able to interact with the physical world and devices through the network’s smartphones.
Developers are able to create smart missions and deploy them to the network. They are also key to the ecosystem as smart mission deployment is funded by developer fees. Developers must also include incentive mechanisms to entice users to complete specific smart missions.
An example of a smart mission would be to see a user connect to a specific device or sensor in a specific geographic location and receive payment for successfully completing the mission. Another example might be requiring a smartphone user to complete a specific task, such as taking a photo at an event.
The concept is not dissimilar to conventional GPU or ASIC mining, where the user provides computing power to the network for a share of the rewards. This is typically power intensive, which would quickly drain a device with smaller power reserves. Nodle says its app consumes up to 3% of a smartphone’s daily battery on a full charge, allowing users to continue using the device without significant strain.
Related: Blockchain technology is gradually starting to appear in the home
The network forms part of the emerging trend of “action-earning”, which seeks to incentivize users and ecosystems to perform specific tasks or actions. Benoliel said the mechanic serves two purposes, rewarding users while also motivating and contributing to the growth of the network.
Nodle has previously worked with enterprises looking to use its network to support unique use cases. The app was used to power the service, which used smartphones connected to Noodle to identify stolen cars via Bluetooth identifiers.
The IoT sector has also been affected by the expanding impact of blockchain technology in recent years. IoT, the global engineering and technology company Bosch was the main representative of the creation of the foundation that will be invest $100 million in grants funding the development of Web3, artificial intelligence (AI) and decentralized technologies over the next three years.
