Ethereum will have its first wallet with a WeChat-like interface

Rage Review : Ethereum wants to create a wallet with a WeChat-like interface, a combination of communication and browser, which allows you to chat with friends through decentralized programs. Status is one of the first applications to use a decentralized chat protocol, which is very suitable for the public. Although Ethereum smart contracts are plagued by vulnerabilities and security issues, if Status can add more security instructions or security standards, then Ethereum is still a system worth using.

Translation: Nicole

Ethereum could soon see its first wallet with a WeChat-like interface.

Status, which is expected to launch an alpha version in the coming weeks, aims to provide a new interface for Ethereum that is closer to popular applications that users are used to. That is, with Status, users can call and control decentralized applications (dapps) through instant messaging from their mobile wallets.

The Android and iOS light clients are inspired by the multi-functional social messaging application WeChat, which, in addition to providing messages, also allows users to make payments and check the latest news on social media.

Status co-founder Carl Bennetts explained that the idea came from wanting to create an easy-to-understand interface for regular people, so they could get exposure to this ‘new world’ of crypto.

Carl Bennetts

Bennetts told CoinDesk:

“The idea is to create a combination of a messenger and a browser, where you can chat with your friends the same way you would with a decentralized application.”

Mist, an ethereum wallet funded by the nonprofit Ethereum Foundation, also said it wants to make it easier for browsers to interact with so-called dApps, while Status lets dApps receive information in real time.

Input alpha

The alpha version will be a stripped-down version of what Status intends to offer long-term, primarily for developers (like Ethereum in its current state).

According to Bennetts, an exciting new element is that users can encrypt their chats through the Ethereum Whisper protocol, which he believes is a necessary departure from the client-server model used by most encrypted messaging apps. He also highlighted that Status is one of the first apps to use a decentralized chat protocol.

Additional features are available for developers.

Users can send requests to store ether (although Bennetts mentioned that users shouldn’t do this regardless of the amount, and that this is still experimental) and browse existing dapps, similar to the Mist browser.

Vision

Mobile wallets are also a sign that developers are finding ways to apply the technology.

There are other wallets out there, but this interface is perfect for the general public to use.

One futuristic slideshow even touted self-driving cars with instant messaging and ether payments.

According to the Status presentation slides from Devcon:

“There’s no real distinction between a friend and a dapp.”

When asked if making smart contracts easier to use could be potentially dangerous, given recent vulnerabilities and security issues related to Ethereum smart contracts, Bennett mentioned the DAO debacle as an example of developers using Ethereum as if it was real and ready to use, and then it wasn’t.

He also said he is optimistic about progress in the security of ethereum smart contracts.

He said:

“Security is going to get more and more attention, and if we have some standards in place before we push these decentralized applications to our user base and there are a lot of security directives, then I still think Ethereum is a better system.”

But while security isn’t Status’ primary focus, it does show that despite recent issues with Ethereum’s infrastructure, developers are continuing to work on forward-thinking projects that improve its ecosystem.