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New Plugin Allows Developers to Turn iOS Devices Into Bitcoin Mining Bots
Unity plugin developer Icoplay has come up with a new way for developers to monetize free apps on the App Store while avoiding in-app purchases, through the use of bitcoin mining.
Bitcoin is a digital currency first developed in 2008 that has soared in value in recent years. While bitcoin value fluctuates wildly, a single bitcoin today is worth approximately $200, which makes Bitcoin mining a potentially lucrative endeavor.
Because new bitcoins are generated via complex math problems, Bitcoin mining requires an incredible amount of processing power. Icoplay is aiming to use mining software hidden within apps and games to take advantage of the latent processing power of mobile devices, rewarding the developer with bitcoin. Like distributed computing projects such as SETI@home, Bitcoin mining can be done in small chunks over hundreds or thousands of devices.
As described by Icoplay's Simon Hill on PocketGamer.biz, the company has developed the Icominer Unity plugin, which is designed to be built into an app or game, running in the background to mine for bitcoin while a player uses the application.
Icoplay's Icominer plugin is currently in the final stages of beta, and according to the company's website, it will be released in the near future. The plugin, priced at $80, is designed to integrated seamlessly into Unity-based apps.
Bitcoin is a digital currency first developed in 2008 that has soared in value in recent years. While bitcoin value fluctuates wildly, a single bitcoin today is worth approximately $200, which makes Bitcoin mining a potentially lucrative endeavor.
Because new bitcoins are generated via complex math problems, Bitcoin mining requires an incredible amount of processing power. Icoplay is aiming to use mining software hidden within apps and games to take advantage of the latent processing power of mobile devices, rewarding the developer with bitcoin. Like distributed computing projects such as SETI@home, Bitcoin mining can be done in small chunks over hundreds or thousands of devices.
As described by Icoplay's Simon Hill on PocketGamer.biz, the company has developed the Icominer Unity plugin, which is designed to be built into an app or game, running in the background to mine for bitcoin while a player uses the application.
The core concept we worked towards is this: A developer installs the software, and every instance of its game running at any time, anywhere mines Bitcoins using the latent power of the device it's being used on.According to Hill, Icoplay's plugin is dynamically designed not to interfere with apps that it is built into, so much so that users will never "even notice the plugin is humming along in the background."
The developer then takes its Bitcoins to spend or invest.
At Icoplay, we’ve spent the last few months making this a reality. We've ended up with software that can just be dropped into a Unity project (on any platform at all) and make this distributed model of 'passive grinding' work.
Regardless of the solution you choose, our bitcoin miner will seamlessly integrate into your game with no interference, earning you cash in perfect harmony with your existing app monetisation strategy. There’s no catch - it's just awesome.What Hill doesn't mention, however, is that an app or game continually drawing power for a background process would certainly be a drain on system resources, quickly exhausting battery life.
Icoplay's Icominer plugin is currently in the final stages of beta, and according to the company's website, it will be released in the near future. The plugin, priced at $80, is designed to integrated seamlessly into Unity-based apps.
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65 months ago
Yeah, your customers will love you when your app sucks up the battery power. Go for it!
65 months ago
To all devs - I will not use your product if you implement this crap.
- Paying customer
- Paying customer
65 months ago
Apple will cut this **** out of any app that even attempts to sneak it past.
Deplorable practice. :mad:
Deplorable practice. :mad:
65 months ago
No way hose. This is tantamount to "malware" because it is using the battery and resources of any iOS device owned by one person to enrich another.
If you want money, make an app that is compelling enough to purchase.
I hate ads, in-app purchases and this idea.
It is "my" device so keep your grubby hands off it.
PS. Posted from 38,000 feet. :D
If you want money, make an app that is compelling enough to purchase.
I hate ads, in-app purchases and this idea.
It is "my" device so keep your grubby hands off it.
PS. Posted from 38,000 feet. :D
65 months ago
Screw that ****! I love my battery life and no greedy dev is taking it away from me!
65 months ago
****** returns for the developer!
For reference my 120 gigahash mining rig took a week to make 1btc at current difficulty rates. This rig consists of 32 ASICs each pumping out ~3-4 gigahashes per second. Mining rigs built with multiple high end desktop GPUs get at best 500 megahashes per second. I would estimate that each phone 5s can only at best reach 20 megahashes/second. It will take ages for developers to reach 0.4btc and make back the $80 for the privilege of draining end users batteries. Each phone added to the network will be a rounding error against the current 3 petahashes of the bitcoin mining network.
For reference my 120 gigahash mining rig took a week to make 1btc at current difficulty rates. This rig consists of 32 ASICs each pumping out ~3-4 gigahashes per second. Mining rigs built with multiple high end desktop GPUs get at best 500 megahashes per second. I would estimate that each phone 5s can only at best reach 20 megahashes/second. It will take ages for developers to reach 0.4btc and make back the $80 for the privilege of draining end users batteries. Each phone added to the network will be a rounding error against the current 3 petahashes of the bitcoin mining network.
65 months ago
As a user I wouldn't mind it as an option but that's as far as it goes. Give me a choice and I might choose it. Try to hide it from me and I will delete your app.
65 months ago
In fact, Apple already has grounds on which apps including this plugin can be rejected:
App Store Review Guidelines
13.2: Apps that rapidly drain the device's battery or generate excessive heat will be rejected
65 months ago
To all devs - I will not use your product if you implement this crap.
- Paying customer
I'm not sure you get the point. The idea behind this is that you wouldn't be a paying customer.
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