https://phylaxwallet.com/journal Building PHYLAX in the open. Prototype progress, decisions, and updates — posted here first. en Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/usb-c-9-pin-vs-16-pin https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/usb-c-9-pin-vs-16-pin Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT The cable-one-way-up fault was the connector: a 9-pin USB-C brings out only one data pair, a 16-pin part brings out both. The device now asks for a PIN. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/make-your-seed-with-a-coin https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/make-your-seed-with-a-coin Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Your seed is only as unpredictable as the randomness behind it. PHYLAX will let you supply it yourself — 256 coin flips, 256 bits, mixed with the device's own. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/boost-converter-whine-inductor-fix https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/boost-converter-whine-inductor-fix Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT Update 13 reported a whine from the +12V booster. A scope found the cause: a bare wirewound inductor singing. A moulded part silenced it. Quiet now, at 12.03 V. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/brighter-screen-two-new-problems https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/brighter-screen-two-new-problems Sun, 09 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT The +12V boost gave the display its brightness and contrast — and brought two new problems: a whine from the inductor, and a one-way-up USB-C. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/the-usb-fix-and-three-case-materials https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/the-usb-fix-and-three-case-materials Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:00:00 GMT We stabilised USB by moving the controller next to the port, relocated the display connector to cut assembly cost, and added a DC/DC boost. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/virtual-secure-element-no-black-box https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/virtual-secure-element-no-black-box Sat, 25 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT If we won't put a black-box chip inside, how do we protect the seed? We're studying the virtual secure element — the same protection, fully auditable. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/testing-oled-screens-and-a-usb-problem https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/testing-oled-screens-and-a-usb-problem Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT We bench-tested three OLED screens. The 2.24-inch works exactly as hoped, the 0.96-inch runs at low contrast — and USB still isn't working. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/refined-case-treasure-chest https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/refined-case-treasure-chest Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT The updated prototype case — smaller, rounder, easier in the hand — and the old idea behind it: a hardware wallet is a treasure chest for your Bitcoin. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/big-screen-on-a-smaller-pcb https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/big-screen-on-a-smaller-pcb Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT We fitted the large 2.24-inch OLED onto a smaller PCB (v3.0) — chasing a readable screen and a compact device at the same time. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/built-like-a-nokia-3310 https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/built-like-a-nokia-3310 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Our design philosophy in one phone: the indestructible Nokia 3310. No frills, core function only, Bitcoin-only, built to last a decade. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/choosing-a-hardware-wallet-screen https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/choosing-a-hardware-wallet-screen Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT A hardware-wallet screen is where you verify. We bench-tested three OLED sizes — 2.24, 1.54 and 0.96 inch — balancing readability, palm size and cost. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/industrial-grade-mcu-and-gold-contacts https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/industrial-grade-mcu-and-gold-contacts Sun, 05 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT Two durability upgrades: the MCU moves to industrial grade (STM32F205RET7, -40 to +105 °C) and the display connector gets gold-plated contacts. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/million-cycle-buttons-usb-c-durability https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/million-cycle-buttons-usb-c-durability Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:00 GMT The parts you touch, chosen for lifespan: an Alps Alpine button rated for 1,000,000 presses and a GCT USB-C port good for 20,000 cycles. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/first-prototype-case-too-big https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/first-prototype-case-too-big Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT We 3D-printed the first physical case for the prototype to judge how it feels in the hand. The honest first verdict: it's too big — so we're shrinking it. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/hardware-wallet-with-no-battery https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/hardware-wallet-with-no-battery Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT Two decisions from the bench: why PHYLAX ships with no battery, and why the USB-C port moved to the top — a GCT connector rated for 20,000 plugs. https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/open-source-hardware-wallet-from-scratch https://phylaxwallet.com/journal/open-source-hardware-wallet-from-scratch Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:00:00 GMT Where the PHYLAX idea came from — an iPod, a Pikachu, and an open-source Bitcoin wallet with no black box and no fancy features.