Oh I have a list of concerns about this project, I don’t think the people of Dawn have thought it through. The main point of BB is Dawn and the selling of your bandwidth to your neighbors or something. Basically it’s pirating your ISP, we’re I live nobody is interesting in that. So for me it’s only for the DiPIN projects. One of the partners projects is rumord to be scammer, one is half dead, one is not applicable (not available in my country and I’m not a cafe or restaurant) and another is a legal risk. I ask about it and got the impression that they haven’t thought it through. That the DiPIN hub is more a marketing gimmick than something serious they have looked into.
AMA Summary 7/22/2025: Origin and Vision of BlackBox:
Q: "Where did the idea for BlackBox come from and what was the initial goal?"
A (Neil):
Inspired by personal frustration with paying for multiple cloud subscriptions (e.g., Netflix) and discovering self-hosted solutions.
Their goal was to create a plug-and-play hardware device that would allow users to regain control from centralized cloud providers.
It combines two worlds:
Cryptocurrency users seeking rewards in DePIN protocols.
Self-hosted solution enthusiasts seeking privacy and autonomy from Web2 companies.
Grand Vision: Build an easy-to-use "new internet" endpoint that hyperscales DePIN adoption while also serving as the hardware platform for Dawn 2.
Team Background: Andrina and Dawn:
Q: "How does Andrina rate the Dawn/Black Box team?"
A (Neil and James):
Andrina was a Web2 wireless ISP founded in 2017-2018. Neil started by installing fiber optics in his apartment, building antenna roofs, and selling internet door-to-door (e.g., first customer: a local cheese shop). 2.
Lessons Applied to Dawn:
Technology: Automated deployment tools for internet networks.
Real Experience: Connectivity-as-a-Platform model (e.g., deploying Helium nodes before Dawn).
Vision Alignment: Extending "internet-as-a-platform" to Black Box's multi-mining capabilities.
Black Box Functionality:
Q: "How does it work as a router/miner?"
A (Neil):
Hardware: Modular and upgradeable components (e.g., Wi-Fi cards, GPU slots). Comparable to high-end Juniper/Cisco routers (supports 10 Gbps networks).
Multi-mining: Runs more than 10 DePIN protocols simultaneously (e.g., Helium Mobile, Arcium, Inference AI, Storj). GPU-intensive protocols use a scheduler for priority assignment.
Self-hosting: Works as a remote server (VPN/Headscale support planned for global access).
Q: "Can I add unbound protocols?"
A: Yes! A developer portal will allow for custom workloads (e.g., Docker/VM support). Community-tested scripts will be labeled "use at your own risk."
Partnerships and Roadmap:
Q: "How are partners selected?" A (James):
Select the best DePIN projects (e.g., Storj chosen for its maturity/S3 compatibility). Partners are announced daily (more than 5 to date, including Helium and Inference AI).
Long-term: Create a DePIN app store where projects can apply to be listed. Users activate protocols with a single click.
Q: "Has the roadmap changed since the whitepaper?"
A (Neil):
Black Box preempted Dawn's dedicated nodes to deliver user value more quickly. The core vision (testing/rewards) remains unchanged.
Purchasing and Logistics:
Q: "Warranty/shipping/customs?"
A:
Warranty: There is no formal policy yet, but hardware issues (e.g., disk failures) will be addressed through modular replacements. A private Discord channel offers direct support.
Global Shipping: Taxes are calculated at checkout. Local customs duties may apply (using ChatGPT is recommended for regulations).
Discounts: Use Dawn's referral codes for extra points (some users double the points).
Q: "Which GPU model should I buy?"
A:
Higher VRAM (e.g., 20 GB) supports protocols that require more GPUs (e.g., AI). Cheaper models (6 GB) work but may receive fewer requests. All are field-upgradable.
Rewards and Points System:
Q: "How do points relate to the Black Box?"
A:
Buyers earn bonus points through referral codes
Future Rewards: Validators will earn points daily for sharing bandwidth (e.g., Gigabit plans = higher rewards). Exact mechanism to be determined.
Technical Concerns:
Q: "Will the protocols conflict if they run together?"
A: No, except for GPU workloads (the scheduler prioritizes tasks). Other components (CPU/RAM) manage simultaneous loads.
Q: "How does peer-to-peer relaying work during traffic spikes?"
A: Priority lanes through staking or micropayments (similar to ISP tiers for businesses). Queues manage congestion.
Merchandise/Roles: Black Box buyers get exclusive roles on Discord, merchandise, and support channels.
Content: Users are encouraged to share images and ideas in the Dawn community on Twitter.
Events: Chess tournaments and competitions scheduled weekly.
It’s so sad that when technical folks see what non-techies fail to see, and want to tell them not to throw their money away yet know it will fall on deaf ears. So they can’t be arsed anymore.