Recent studies show that over 90% of users are using mobile phones to access the internet. As phones have been streamlined for on-the-go media playback and mobile apps have been created to increase the convenience and accessibility of nearly every type of resource, “phone as computer” is a concept that is overtaking more traditional computation methods.
We still refer to these devices as smart “phones,” but it won’t be long before these devices have entirely left the limiting realm of anything that can be classified as a phone. In fact, the concept of telephone will soon be a relic of the past, with modern communication devices barely resembling the original apparatus patented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876.
Several years ago, the earliest web3 pioneers liked to speculate about what mass adoption would look like. For fans of cryptocurrency, NFTs and decentralized ecosystems like Gala, mass adoption was one of the hottest phrases around, a constant topic of discussion.
Most of those early adopters considered that worldwide acceptance of web3 tech would involve some kind of overthrow of the web2 era, replacing the social-focused platforms the world had come to know with less centralized and more sustainable alternatives that allowed users greater control over their data. I wonder how many of them could have predicted that the rise of The Open Network (TON) would be so closely connected to one of the most widely used social messaging platforms in the world.
There’s no denying that The Open Network (TON) has taken huge strides toward mass adoption of web3 on multiple levels. Gala users have already seen multiple examples of it in the recent release of our first wave of mini app “tapper” games, Treasure Tapper and Music Miner, both playable now with a Telegram account. Rewards in these casual Telegram games will eventually amount to $TREZ, the tapper token of Gala Games, which will be issued on both TON and GalaChain and bridgeable from one to the other.
The combination of Telegram’s powerhouse widely used social messaging platform, TON’s speed and scalability as a blockchain, and Telegram’s mini app infrastructure makes it possible for an entirely new generation of highly accessible web3 tools to hit the scene. It would seem that Telegram finally cracked the code of comfortably onboarding web2 users to web3 technology, and every effective web3 community stands to benefit.
The Universal Basic Smartphone
The upcoming web3 smartphone (UBS) that has everyone talking was created by Oyster Labs (not directly affiliated with the TON Foundation). It can currently be preordered for $130 through their website, with estimated delivery in September of this year.
WEN PHONE, WEN PHONE!
We're one step closer to the final shipment! Building a Web3 phone isn't an easy task, and we are incredibly grateful to have the support of such a dedicated community like ours. Your enthusiasm and encouragement have been instrumental in getting us to this… https://t.co/42vmiTfREE
— Oyster Labs: Universal Basic Smartphone (@oysterecosystem) August 1, 2024
According to the front page of Oyster Labs’ UBS site, “Universal Basic Smartphone(UBS) is creating an equitable digital economy where everyone is fairly compensated for their data. In the era of AI, while we have little control over what happens to the data we produce, companies profit from it for free. UBS gives you the power to control and benefit from your data to build a future where everyone gets a share. UBS believes in a digital economy that gives back to those who participate.”
In addition to its Android 10 OS and other standard smartphone features that make it comparable to many phones on the market today, this unique “powered by blockchain” smartphone aims to bring a new level of web3 interaction to a massive new group of mobile users worldwide.
With the highly scalable TON blockchain’s ability to handle large volume transactions per second (TPS) and the potential for notable partnerships, this groundbreaking phone could become a cornerstone of the mass adoption we’ve all been waiting for.
Built-In Web3 with TON
Preordering a UBS involves connecting a non-custodial TON blockchain wallet, establishing the intrinsic web3 connection at the core of this device. Owners will have seamless access to hundreds of mobile dApps from the TON ecosystem in addition to the full range of mainstream Android apps.
Rewards from the Start
IN classic web3 fashion, Oyster Labs is offering a plethora of enticing reward opportunities even before the first UBS are delivered to pre-orderers.
$OYS Tokens – Oyster Labs is offering free $OYS* tokens as a benefit to pre-ordering the UBS. In the initial “Founding” series, 1000 $OYS was given for each pre-order. The presale is currently in its 2nd series, “Friend With Benefits” (FWB), gaining 300 $OYS for pre-order. Additional $OYS can also be picked up by referring others to pre-purchase the phone. *$OYS is currently tracked as a reward point system, not yet listed on any markets or minted on TON.
OysterEarn – Owners of the UBS will enjoy cashback benefits from both web2 and web3 companies
Genesis Pass – Preorder of the UBS comes with a special Genesis Pass and the opportunity to “claim daily data dividends and more.”
Learn More about UBS
This article is merely reporting and speculating on publicly available information, and does not indicate any sort of partnership or endorsement of The Open Network, Oyster Labs, Telegram or any other entity mentioned in this article.
We encourage our readers to do their own research in all aspects of web3.
The wait is over—Ghosts of Ruin is here, and the sale is officially live on Gala Film! It’s time to step into the thrilling world of Neural Reality, where the stakes are high, the action is intense and every moment counts
Now, you can buy your Ghosts of RuinMoment Packs and unlock exclusive Moments from Episodes 1-4 of the series. The more viewers tune in to the series, the greater your POPCORN! rewards.
Moments are specially curated digital assets that capture key action sequences from Ghosts of Ruin. Each pack holds a unique Moment NFT, giving you a piece of the Ghosts of Ruin universe that you can own, trade and treasure.
Why Buy Now?
Exclusive Content: Secure your place in the Ghosts of Ruin experience with Moments that highlight the most thrilling parts of the series.
Ongoing Rewards: As more viewers dive into the world of Ghosts of Ruin, your Moments will generate increased rewards. The excitement of the series brings more attention—and potential surprises—to your collection.
Daily Distribution Allocation: 15% of the daily $FILM Allocation* is dedicated to Moment owners—that’s your chance to grab a piece of the pie! The rewards from your Moments apply across all four episodes, so every watch counts.
*In preparation for the launch of the $FILM token, rewards are currently distributed as POPCORN!, the placeholder token for $FILM rewards that will later be convertible to $FILM.
Boost Your Rewards by Collecting Scenes
Collect all the Moments within a Scene to watch your rewards grow! Your daily reward boost you depends on the collected Scene’s rarity:
10% for completing a Bronze Scene
20% for completing Silver Scene
30% for completing a Golden Scene
Go for the gold by collecting all the Moments in all available Scenes to trigger the ‘MAX BOOST’—a whopping 50% increase in your daily rewards!
How to Get Started
Purchase Your Moment Packs: Head over to Gala Film and purchase Ghosts of Ruin Moment Packs.
Reveal Your Moments: Open your Moment Packs to see which exclusive Moments you’ve unlocked. Each NFT Moment is a unique part of the Ghosts of Ruin story.
Maximize Your Rewards: Collect Moments to form Scenes and boost your daily rewards. The more you collect, the bigger the boost!
Exchanging GoR Early Collectible NFTs
The earliest supporters of Ghosts of Ruin collected four different levels of NFT items, each of which is now exchangeable for a number of Ghosts of Ruin Moment Packs. These are no longer available in any primary sale but can still sometimes be found on OpenSea’s secondary market:
To exchange your Ghosts of Ruin NFTs for Moment Packs, ensure that your NFTs are on GalaChain. If your NFTs are currently on the Ethereum blockchain, you must bridge them over to GalaChain in order to exchange.
Ghosts of Ruin is an immersive experience that rewards your engagement and passion. Start collecting your Moment Packs today, and let the adventure begin!
Step into a future where the lines between reality and the digital world blur, where survival means more than just staying alive. Ghosts of Ruin is now streaming on Gala Film, unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
In this near-future dystopia, San Francisco becomes the battleground for the world’s top gamers, where the stakes are higher than ever and the technology is beyond anything we’ve imagined—Neural Reality.
Ghosts of Ruin takes you on a thrilling journey into the Tournament of Ruin, where Lee, an unsuspecting gamer, finds himself among 100 of the world’s best players competing in a high-stakes battle royale. But what starts as a dream opportunity quickly turns into a nightmare. The players are trapped, unable to log out of the game, and something dark, something murderous, is hunting them down one by one.
In this world, survival is the ultimate prize, and the secrets of Neural Reality are the key to escaping with your mind—and your life—intact.
Why Watch Ghosts of Ruin on Gala Film?
Gala Film is not just a streaming platform; it’s an experience. And with Ghosts of Ruin, that experience goes beyond the screen. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Mystery Boxes: Every time you watch a new episode of Ghosts of Ruin, you unlock a Mystery Box filled with incredible prizes. And if you’re hungry for more, you can unlock additional Premium Mystery Boxes for just $3.99, increasing your chances of winning epic rewards.
Moment Packs: Dive deeper into the Ghosts of Ruin universe with Moment Packs, your gateway to Gala Film NFT ownership. These collectible digital assets capture vital moments from the series, combining to complete scenes and giving you a unique piece of the Ghosts of Ruin experience to own, trade and treasure.
Each Moment Pack is a snapshot of the action, a memory of the chaos and a memento of your journey through the Tournament of Ruin with Gala Film.
Nodes: Want to be more than just a viewer? By owning a Theater Node on Gala Film, you can become part of the platform’s backbone to unlock additional rewards for contributing to the decentralized entertainment ecosystem. Theater Nodes allow you to support the network and access exclusive content like early releases and special rewards for all Gala Film projects.
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Out
Ghosts of Ruin is a fully immersive experience that combines cutting-edge technology, gripping storytelling and the thrill of rewards. Whether you’re a fan of dystopian sci-fi, a gaming enthusiast or someone who loves innovative content, Ghosts of Ruin has something for you.
How to Get Started
Watch Ghosts of Ruin on Gala Film: Dive into the first episode and experience the adrenaline-pumping action of the Tournament of Ruin. Each episode is 100% free to watch on Gala Film.
Unlock Your Mystery Box: After watching, open your Mystery Box to see what fantastic prize you’ve won. Remember, you can unlock additional boxes for even more chances to win.
Explore Moment Packs: Collect and trade your favorite moments from the series and own a piece of the Ghosts of Ruin story.
Become a Theater Node Operator: Join the Gala Film network by owning a Node and get access to exclusive content and rewards.
The world of Ghosts of Ruin is waiting for you, along with chances to win big, collect rare moments and be part of something revolutionary. Start watching now on Gala Film and immerse yourself in the most exciting sci-fi dystopia of the year while getting amazing rewards.
Ready to enter the Ruin? Head to Gala Film, start watching Ghosts of Ruin, and unlock your future today!
Hello all you pilots out there, and welcome back to the Spider Tanks Showcase!
In this edition, we’re diving into a newer tank body in the arena, but one that offers some things no other body can. This mighty body forgoes the legs of most of its competition for a smooth ride over a more traditional tank drive system.
That’s right. This week, we’re talking about Tracks. Tracks is a retro special, sporting an antique track design that was popular on the Canadian subcontinent in the 15th century of Earth’s ancient past. This tank proves why such time-tested designs were popular, as it’s highly efficient and capable of amazing bursts of power when piloted by a skilled technician.
Tracks is big. Not Titan big, but pretty dang big. Usually, Energy is strictly a function of size – not in the case of Tracks. Tracks has the single highest Energy gain of any tank body out there, meaning you can use more abilities more often.
Like the Nomad, Santa’s Sleigh or Snoop’s Bumpin Lowrider, Tracks is a directional drive body. This means that it can move on impulse forward and backward but not side to side. You’ll have to adapt to this driving style if you’re not used to it, but the key is to stay in motion at all times if possible. It’ll take a while to accelerate from a stop, and you can’t turn while not moving. Keep agile and keep turning so that you can react quickly.
The Charger: Tracks/Carver
Remember how we said you get more energy than anyone else using Tracks? This combo takes full advantage of that. A Carver requires you to be up close… not a usual choice for a massive tank. With Tracks’ burst ability thanks to its energy though, you can cover a surprising amount of ground fast to chop down the competition.
Speed Boosters cost very little Energy, and with a high level Tracks you can theoretically use them pretty much whenever you need if you’re conservative with your Energy when you don’t need. Throw in a Repair Drone for another low-cost ability to keep you running smooth and you can use more abilities during the match than anyone else.
Opponents will think they’ve got your speed and reach down, then you kick on the afterburners. Make sure that you’re well repaired when you attack and choose your window well. Once you go sprinting after an enemy you’ll be a sitting duck if you turn around, so make sure they end as pieces and not you.
Mobile Triage: Tracks/Repair Artillery
While Tracks’ consistent Energy and toughness are huge assets, for many pilots the drive style of Tracks will often be a disadvantage. We can minimize that liability though by staying on the periphery of the fight when possible, and artillery makes that more possible.
With this, you’ll be playing support most often. You’ll still have the massive Energy gain to scramble and reposition if you need, but you can stay moving on the outside of the conflict, ensuring that your team stays healed and supported.
With Tracks large amount of Energy, Repair Zone could come into play as well here. Usually this ability is only useful in very few situations due to its high cost, but with Tracks you could lay down a repair zone every 20 seconds or so, allowing you to heal both team members at once.
The Burster: Tracks/Bouncer
This combo accepts that Tracks won’t be the fastest around, but it’s a much more traditional way to make a hard-hitting tank that has the chance to put out big bursts of damage when needed.
Bouncer can absolutely tear up an opposing team if you get them at the right time, and Tracks’ ability to utilize excessive amounts of Speed Boosters plays a key role here. With Tracks you can afford to be on full Energy most of the match, which means you can always be ready to make a sprint.
With this combo, you’ll want to get in and unleash your bouncies – then get out and bide your time until your next attack. Don’t boost as soon as you start your approach and give away your position. You want to save that booster until the last possible moment so that you can still use some of it to escape and prepare for your next pass. This opens up your allies to come in and clean up the mess or set you up for another run.
On Track to Victory
Tracks may be a blast from the past, but it has a lot of modern relevance in today’s arena. Don’t be turned off by the directional drive system without hopping in the pilot seat and giving this one a try… it can make big plays happen once you get used to its tendencies!
That’s all for us this week, but we’ll return next week for another Spider Tanks Showcase!
Have a body, weapon, abilities, map or game mode you’d like us to cover that we haven’t gotten to yet? Let us know on Discord and we’ll buckle up and get it ready!
When the outbreak began, billions of peoples’ stories changed drastically overnight. Only a small percentage survived. Some survivors would go on to become heroes of this new world, creating order from chaos and rebuilding from the ruins of the old world.
Tomorrow, the story of a new hero begins. An original character is coming to The Walking Dead: Empires Store – say hello to Eleonore!
Once upon a time, Eleonore was a journalist, chasing leads and finding meaning in the stories of others. Now, she uses those keen instincts and inquisitive nature to navigate the dangers of this world to survive. Your empire is young. Heroes with tenacity like Eleonore can help you grow strong.
Eleonore Sale Details
The Eleonore sale starts on Friday, August 16th at 7am PT. All rarities will be available in this sale.
The sale will continue until the supply has run out, or the card is removed to prepare for new Hero Cards.
All Eleonore Hero Cards will fulfill directly to GalaChain and will be immediately available to use within the game.
Eleonore’s a hardened survivor who wants to regain the sense of purpose she had in her old life. Building your empire could be that purpose.
Build the Future
This weekend starts the Build the Future event. Have you scavenged enough resources to climb to the top of the leaderboard?
Grow Your Empire
An empire isn’t built alone. You need heroes you can trust to fight like their lives depended on it. Eleonore is ready to do more than just survive. She’s ready to help your empire become the beacon the new world needs.
