The Murena 2 Kickstarter campaign has proven that user privacy is of paramount importance to smartphone owners, having amassed an impressive $163,640 in funding and with eight days of crowdfunding yet to go. This amount roughly translates to £133,725 or AU$257,265.
Privacy-Focused Smartphone with Unique Features
The Murena 2 smartphone is set to be priced at $499, £429, or AU$829 upon its release, and its standout feature is its commitment to user privacy. It incorporates two physical privacy switches. The first switch is designed to interrupt the circuitry surrounding the phone’s camera and microphone, while the second switch completely disables connectivity.
These two switches effectively block remote hackers and onboard apps from covertly monitoring your activities or transmitting data to the internet. “Our ambition is to create the utmost pro-privacy smartphone in the privacy landscape,” says Murena, the creator of the device.
Comprehensive Privacy Software
The Murena 2 phone comes pre-loaded with the privacy-focused, open-source /e/OS software, which includes features like IP address hiding and app tracker blocking. Additionally, it is seamlessly integrated with the Murena Cloud, a private online vault for storing pictures, videos, and other files. In a review, it was suggested that Murena Cloud could become “one of the major players in years to come.”
Key Specifications and Kickstarter Considerations
For those considering investing, the Murena 2 boasts impressive specifications, including 8GB of RAM, 128GB of onboard storage, and a 6.43-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080. It sports a triple-lens camera with 64MP + 13MP + 5MP lenses on the back and is powered by a MediaTek Helio P70 chip.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that typical Kickstarter project risks apply here, and there is no absolute guarantee that the project will reach fruition. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the Murena One, a previous model, was successfully launched, featuring all the software privacy protections without the physical switches.
In comparison to major operating systems like Android and iOS, which offer control over which apps can access the camera and microphone, Murena 2 introduces an innovative layer of physical protection switches that hasn’t been seen before.
To explore further details about the Murena 2 and decide if it’s the right smartphone for you, you can visit the Kickstarter page. Early investors may enjoy discounts, while those who prefer to wait can purchase the handset at its full retail price upon its official release.
