Ledger, the hardware wallet maker, has rolled out its new Flex wallet. It's a fresh take on their Stax model's E Ink touchscreen interface. The Flex is priced at $249. It's cheaper than the $399 Stax. The device sports a 2.8" E Ink touchscreen with 600 x 480 pixel resolution. Unlike the Stax, it doesn't have a curved screen. You can get it in two colors. There's the classic black and silver. Or you can opt for a special orange BTC Edition. Ledger's CEO, Pascal Gauthier, is pumped about the launch. "Our new secure touchscreen category will make self-custody more accessible than ever before," he said. The Flex is pretty compact. It weighs 57.5g and measures 78.40 mm × 56.50 mm × 7.70 mm. It's got USB C, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC connectivity. The battery life is impressive too. Ledger claims it can last "weeks or even months on one charge." But here's the kicker: the Flex has Ledger's EAL 6 certified secure element. This is the heart of the device. It generates and stores private keys and powers the secure screen. Ledger's approach to secure elements is unique. They use a proprietary operating system called BOLOS. They also have a team of white-hat hackers, Donjon, who look for vulnerabilities. The Flex is part of Ledger's "Proof of You" initiative. It's their way of "securing a world that's embracing AI," they say. They've launched a new Ledger Security Key app for this. This app lets users create 2FA and Passkeys using the FIDO 2 specification. You can use it for passwordless login on sites like Google, Amazon, and crypto exchanges Binance and Coinbase. But it hasn't all been smooth sailing for Ledger. In 2021, their customer email database was hacked. Almost 300,000 users had their details exposed. Last year, they had to warn customers about a malicious version of their Connect Kit. They also faced backlash over Ledger Recover, an ID-based key recovery service. Some users weren't happy, calling it a "backdoor" on devices. Ledger insisted it was opt-in, but the damage was done.

Ledger has started shipping its new Ledger Stax hardware wallet after a significant delay. Initially promised for March 2023, the Stax experienced a 14-month postponement due to manufacturing issues.   The product, revealed in December 2022 at Ledger Op3n, was developed in partnership with legendary Tony Fadell. Yes, the guy who is widely acclaimed as the creator of the iPod. Ledger’s Chief Experience Officer Ian Rogers explained that the extra time allowed them to refine the Stax’s operating system.  The device is launching in a version 1.4 state, which Rogers says is more advanced than typical new devices, which often debut in a version 0.9 state. Rogers noted that building a pioneering product comes with challenges. The extended development period ensured the addition of more features, enhancing the user experience. Fadell’s involvement was crucial in balancing usability and security, making the Stax both appealing and secure. Community feedback had been mixed during the delay, with some expressing doubts about the delivery. However, Ledger has now fulfilled pre-orders, aiming to meet the high expectations set at Ledger Op3n. This launch marks a significant step for Ledger, as it seeks to expand its user base and secure supply chain partnerships. The combination of Fadell’s design expertise and Ledger’s security focus positions the Stax as a key player in the hardware wallet market. For those who pre-ordered, the wait is over, and the improved Ledger Stax is finally in their hands.