Ledger has introduced the new Ledger Flex device

[Lucius]

@Rikafip, when it comes to new users who are not inclined to research what they are buying, it is not so difficult to understand why they choose their devices - but the real enigma is those users who were (and still are) exposed to risk not only from online attacks, but also with regard to public publication of addresses and phone numbers and possible physical attacks.

To me, this is just proof that the average user of any hardware wallet does not understand how important it is that other people do not know that he has it, and that the same device cannot in any way communicate with a remote server and share confidential information.

[_act_]

Another closed source flex junk coming from ledger and they didn't even deliver most of the pre-ordered ledger stax devices 

When Trezor Safe 3 was not yet out, people were saying it is not possible to have open source secure element because most hardware wallets have close source or semi close source secure elements. Now Trezor made Trezor Safe 3 to have open source secure element. Also the coming Safe 5 will have open source secure element. Ledger Nano has been fooling people since many years ago. Even I remember a time when Bitcointalk users still recommended Ledger wallets until the company grow from worse to worst.

[bitbit97]

So they have introduced the same product/service but in a new packaging. They follow same history mobile phones had, from buttons to tap screen. I can already predict that new device that will come out will have a colorful display. Then the next stage will be make it more thin, but reduce battery life. That would allows them to make their next device "runs x days more".

I like my ledger because it is small, compact, fit everywhere in every pocket and etc. Now I must carry basically "two phones" with me. No, thank you.

[Lucius]

~snip~
I like my ledger because it is small, compact, fit everywhere in every pocket and etc. Now I must carry basically "two phones" with me. No, thank you.

It's true that Ledger promoted its model X as a "wallet on the go" because it has a bluetooth and can simply be wirelessly connected to a smartphone, but I've never felt that such devices should be carried around because they can attract someone's attention.

Of course, the most popular Ledger models look like a USB stick, so that's a certain advantage for them - but I don't prefer public use of such devices because I feel quite safe with a hot wallet on a smartphone with some amount that isn't too valuable to give me a headache if I "lose" it.

[bitbit97]

~snip~
I like my ledger because it is small, compact, fit everywhere in every pocket and etc. Now I must carry basically "two phones" with me. No, thank you.

It's true that Ledger promoted its model X as a "wallet on the go" because it has a bluetooth and can simply be wirelessly connected to a smartphone, but I've never felt that such devices should be carried around because they can attract someone's attention.

Of course, the most popular Ledger models look like a USB stick, so that's a certain advantage for them - but I don't prefer public use of such devices because I feel quite safe with a hot wallet on a smartphone with some amount that isn't too valuable to give me a headache if I "lose" it.

I carry that "usb stick" all the time in my bag (just in case). That aluminum case protects greatly plastic device. Even if it is on the table, it does not attract any attention. Everyone saw "usb stick" nowadays. With new Ledger Flex it wont be that easy. It looks more like an unusual device and I think if someone would, he would pick it up just to twist in hand and look what it is. The device with one button (even though there are two) would attract less attention than a pocket pc like device. Imho you would be more safe with "usb stick".

[dkbit98]

When Trezor Safe 3 was not yet out, people were saying it is not possible to have open source secure element because most hardware wallets have close source or semi close source secure elements. Now Trezor made Trezor Safe 3 to have open source secure element. Also the coming Safe 5 will have open source secure element. Ledger Nano has been fooling people since many years ago. Even I remember a time when Bitcointalk users still recommended Ledger wallets until the company grow from worse to worst.

Source code for new trezor devices can be inspected but you can't change or update it.
Real advantage is that Trezor doens't have signed any NDA with manufactuter Infineon, so they can publish any flaws they found in secure element code.
Most if not all other hardware wallets have signed NDA with manufacturers of their secure elements.
Trezor is also working on Tropic Square chip so they will manufacture their own chip in future.

[Rikafip]

I carry that "usb stick" all the time in my bag (just in case). That aluminum case protects greatly plastic device. Even if it is on the table, it does not attract any attention. Everyone saw "usb stick" nowadays.

Aren't you even a little bit afraid that someone might actually figure out that its not just an ordinary USB stick but instead the hardware wallet? I mean, it does look like just another USB stick, but given its popularity someone might recognzie it and attempt $5 wrench attack.

Chances of that happening are of course slim but they do exist and I personally wouldn't feel safe carrying my hardware wallet around. At least not the main one.

[_act_]

I carry that "usb stick" all the time in my bag (just in case). That aluminum case protects greatly plastic device. Even if it is on the table, it does not attract any attention. Everyone saw "usb stick" nowadays.

Aren't you even a little bit afraid that someone might actually figure out that its not just an ordinary USB stick but instead the hardware wallet? I mean, it does look like just another USB stick, but given its popularity someone might recognzie it and attempt $5 wrench attack.

Chances of that happening are of course slim but they do exist and I personally wouldn't feel safe carrying my hardware wallet around. At least not the main one.

You can encrypt the USB stick or encrypt the seed phrase or private key that you have in it. But I think it is more like a paper wallet and not what you can easily be using for making transaction daily. I prefer to have some coins on my mobile phone which is also protected with my experience in avoiding malware.

[Lucius]

~snip~
Chances of that happening are of course slim but they do exist and I personally wouldn't feel safe carrying my hardware wallet around. At least not the main one.

Of course, there are situations when no one should play with the use of hot wallets, for example when someone would physically sell some cryptocurrency in a larger amount - and I personally would not be too comfortable having more than 0.10 BTC (if even that much) in a mobile wallet.

However, most HW today allow us to have several accounts, and the main one should preferably be protected with a passphrase, so that even using such devices in an "insecure environment" does not necessarily have to be dangerous (although it can definitely attract someone's attention).

[bitbit97]

I carry that "usb stick" all the time in my bag (just in case). That aluminum case protects greatly plastic device. Even if it is on the table, it does not attract any attention. Everyone saw "usb stick" nowadays.

Aren't you even a little bit afraid that someone might actually figure out that its not just an ordinary USB stick but instead the hardware wallet? I mean, it does look like just another USB stick, but given its popularity someone might recognzie it and attempt $5 wrench attack.

Chances of that happening are of course slim but they do exist and I personally wouldn't feel safe carrying my hardware wallet around. At least not the main one.

By looking on people that surround me right now, $5 wrench attack from them gives me a smile. Of course I should be more cautious. But if someone see Ledger Flex and Ledger nano on the table, they will have more question what it is about Flex. Nevertheless, even if someone steals my bag with wallet and ledger, they will be more interested in using my bank cards, than trying to figure out what is this USB stick for and why it has a screen. Even if I face a robber, he will be more interested in cash and watch, maybe will try to use cards for "less than 50 EUR without pin purchase". I have really huge doubts that someone will try to rob me on purpose to get ledger nano and torture me to get a pin code.

[joniboini]

I have really huge doubts that someone will try to rob me on purpose to get ledger nano and torture me to get a pin code.

I understand that crypto is niche in some countries, but personally I'd not risk it. Buying a product like this flex device or whatever Ledger will release in the future is inviting more risk with no reason at all. I think think can change quickly. Even in my city where most people are not up to date with crypto, when you mention Bitcoin or something similar there's a higher chance that some of them know little about it compared to a few years ago.

[bitbit97]

I have really huge doubts that someone will try to rob me on purpose to get ledger nano and torture me to get a pin code.

I understand that crypto is niche in some countries, but personally I'd not risk it. Buying a product like this flex device or whatever Ledger will release in the future is inviting more risk with no reason at all. I think think can change quickly. Even in my city where most people are not up to date with crypto, when you mention Bitcoin or something similar there's a higher chance that some of them know little about it compared to a few years ago.

If there are a lot of people who are no up to date with crypto, then you should not worry much about having any risk with Ledger. I see minimum danger if I live mine near pc at work together with other usb flash stick and go for a lunch. The maximum would my colleagues would do is to take ledger nano, did not figure out how to insert it into USB drive, put back and take other, real, usb. But if they take Ledger Flex, and the screen eventually turns of, they will ask what it is definitely.