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Category: Product Updates

Next-generation nodes: more powerful, AI-ready, and a fresh new look

Posted on by Ed

Demand for nodes continues to rise and that’s good news. More and more people are actively contributing to a free, decentralized internet. We can feel that momentum: the previous series of nodes is now almost completely sold out.

At the same time, we’ve continued to improve. The casing (in other words: the box that houses all the hardware) of the previous generation is no longer available. That gave us the opportunity to upgrade several key hardware components, especially to better handle the growing demand for AI.

The result? A brand-new generation of nodes that are more powerful than ever, wrapped in a refined new design. In this update, we’ll explain exactly what has changed  and what it means for you.

Which models have been upgraded?

Ikon Max, Nova Go and Nova Plus: more storage, faster processor

Until now, these three models all shared the same casing. That has now been replaced with a new version – just as compact, but with improved heat dissipation. The internal configuration has also been updated: including a redesigned storage setup aimed at higher performance and long-term reliability.

The new models now offer between 2 TB (Ikon Max15 2TB, Nova Go15 and Nova Plus15) and 4 TB (Ikon Max15 4TB) of storage. Previously, 2 TB was the maximum available.

In addition, all three are now equipped with the Intel Core 5 210H processor, a fast, energy-efficient chip that delivers smoother processing, more stable performance, and better support for demanding applications like AI or distributed cloud environments.

node threefold internet

Nova Pro: faster, smarter, and built for AI

The Nova Pro15 has received a full upgrade, both inside and out. It now features the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor, a high-end chip built specifically for AI and high-performance computing. The result: more processing power, faster multitasking, and optimal energy efficiency all packed into a single advanced processor.

On the storage side, the Nova Pro uses NVMe storage via PCIe 5.0 (NVMe5). If you’re not familiar with the term: this technology allows data to move at extreme speeds, without bottlenecks. It supports data transfer rates of up to 14,800 MB per second. That makes this node perfect for AI applications, heavy workloads, and real-time data analysis.

We tested this ourselves by installing a custom AI assistant on the node and the results were impressive. The speed, stability, and responsiveness showed clearly: this node is already ready for the future.

Whether you’re working with AI, developing software, or simply want full control in a decentralized network: the Nova Pro delivers. Quiet, powerful, and always ready.

All four models are designed to meet the growing demand for reliable decentralized storage, computing power, and communication.

3node threefold

What does this mean for you?

If you’re ready to help build the decentralized internet, it’s important to choose the node that best fits your needs.

The new generation of nodes offers:

  • More ways to contribute and benefit from the network
  • Direct access to powerful, future-ready technology
  • A simple way to become an active part of the internet of the future

Depending on your goals, you can go in two directions:

Ikon Max – for contribution and personal use

These nodes allow you to contribute capacity to the decentralized network while also using it yourself – partly or fully. Ideal for hosting your own Nextcloud environment, storing data securely, or running your own applications. With the Ikon Max, you’re in full control from day one.

Nova series – for capacity contribution only, with higher guaranteed rewards

The Nova Go, Nova Plus and Nova Pro nodes are fully allocated to ThreeFold for the first 18 months. During that period, they cannot be used for personal applications. But that’s exactly what makes them so attractive: because the capacity is actively used right away, you receive a higher and fixed monthly reward – helping you earn back your investment faster and generate more passive income. After 18 months, the node becomes fully available for your own use.

The Nova Pro offers maximum performance and speed, especially suited for AI and demanding digital tasks.

Important: limited availability

At the moment, the new nodes are not available from stock. Why? The outer casing of this new generation – the part that houses all the advanced tech – is currently hard to source. We depend on our suppliers and can only place an order when they confirm availability.

Once we get the go-ahead, we’ll order immediately. But to be completely transparent: we don’t yet know how many units we’ll be able to get. That’s why priority will go to those who have already placed an order.

Don’t want to miss out or wait longer than necessary? Then order now.
That way, you increase your chances of getting your own node delivered soon and start contributing to the internet of the future: free, independent, and built by all of us.

👉 View the new nodes and place your order

New webinar series: Learn how to get control over your data with Nextcloud

Posted on by Ed

Every time you upload a file to Google Drive, share a folder via Dropbox, or collaborate in Microsoft Teams you give something away. Not just convenience. But ownership. Autonomy. Privacy.

Big Tech companies don’t just store your data. They use it, scan it, monetize it, and lock you into systems you can’t see into or control.

And let’s be honest: we’ve let it happen.
Because the alternatives seemed too technical. Too complex. Too far away.

But that’s changing.

Introducing a new webinar by YourData Network

Nextcloud: How your own decentralized cloud environment works

For the first time, we’re hosting a dedicated webinar on one of the most practical and empowering tools to regain control over your digital life: Nextcloud, an open-source cloud platform you can run independently, whether on your own server or – even better- on ThreeFold’s decentralized internet.

Why? Because we keep hearing the same questions:

“How do I actually use the decentralized internet?”
“Where can I store my data safely?”
“What can I do with Nextcloud?”

“Is there a way to work and share without Big Tech watching?”

Yes. There is.
And this webinar is going to show you exactly how.

What you’ll discover

✅ What Nextcloud is and how it runs on the Decentralized Internet
✅ How you can host your own cloud or choose from thousands of trusted nodes
✅ How you stay in full control: no tracking, no scanning, no hidden monetization
✅ How Nextcloud lets you store, sync, share and collaborate just like Google or Microsoft, but without giving anything away
✅ Why this is about more than tech, it’s about digital self-determination

Who it’s for

People who are done with surveillance capitalism

Teams or small businesses looking for open-source, secure collaboration tools

Anyone searching for real alternatives — not just promises

When & how

Online, live, with demos and real-world examples

📅 Dutch session: Thursday 9 October – Sign up here
📅 English session: Thursday 20 November – Sign-up here

⏱ Duration: ~75 minutes

This is about freedom, not features

Nextcloud on the decentralized internet isn’t just a tool. It’s a gateway. To sovereignty. To responsibility. To building something outside of systems that were never built for your benefit.

Join us and see how decentralization can move from ideal to action.
Sign up now

Which apps work on the OwnPhone? Find out here

Posted on by Ed

“Sounds great, a privacy-friendly phone… but can I still use my trusted apps?”

That’s a question we hear a lot and rightfully so. Because if you’re switching to a privacy-first smartphone, you want to be sure it still lets you do the things that matter to you. Like using the apps you rely on every day.

So: which apps work? Which don’t? Where can you download them? And why is the OwnPhone much more than just another phone?

OwnPhone: Built from a radically different starting point

The OwnPhone isn’t a variation of existing smartphones. It’s built from a radically different starting point. While most phones are designed to grab your attention and collect your data in the background, the OwnPhone has only one goal: to give you control over your personal data, your usage, and your attention.

You use the phone for your needs. Without tracking. Without hidden data collection. And without unnecessary distractions.

The operating system is open-source, free from Google or Apple, and developed according to privacy-compliant European standards. You decide whether your files and photos stay on your phone or are stored securely on the decentralized internet of ThreeFold. In that case, your data is available in your personal cloud: a private Nextcloud environment only you can access.

Most apps work just fine

If you’re switching to the OwnPhone, you’ll want to know whether your current apps will still work. The short answer: yes, in most cases they do. Messaging, banking, navigation, government services, they all run smoothly.

Common apps that work on the OwnPhone:

  • Messaging: WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Outlook
  • Navigation: Google Maps, Waze, Organic Maps
  • Banking: Rabobank, ING, ASN, Bunq
  • Government: DigiD, NS
  • Media: Spotify, Netflix
  • Authentication: Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Aegis, 2FAS
  • Tools: Firefox, Brave, ProtonMail, Nextcloud

Some apps may not work right away, especially those heavily dependent on Google services or specific security layers. But even then, there’s often a solution. You’ll find tips, workarounds, and support in our user community.

There are also a few apps that unfortunately don’t work at all, apps that are fully locked into Google Play Services, like ChatGPT, Android Auto, or YouTube. Luckily, there are privacy-friendly alternatives for most of them.

⚠️ Note: Apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, or Gmail collect massive amounts of personal data. Whether you continue using them is your decision, but we warmly invite you to explore more privacy-conscious alternatives.

Discover alternatives in the F-Droid App Store

The OwnPhone comes pre-installed with two app stores: Aurora Store and F-Droid.

  • F-Droid only contains open-source, privacy-friendly apps. Think of Signal, Organic Maps, Simple Calendar, Tasks, and more.
  • Aurora Store gives you access to (almost) all apps from the Google Play Store — but without Google knowing who you are.

You don’t need to create any accounts. Just open the store, search for your app, tap “install” — done.

Micro-G: Essential for many apps

Many apps – like banking, government services or navigation – are built on top of Google Play Services. That’s a bundle of background services most Android phones rely on, including location tracking, push notifications, sync tools, and account connections. You usually don’t notice it, but a lot of apps won’t work without it.

On the OwnPhone, these Google services have been intentionally removed to protect your privacy. Instead, Micro‑G is installed by default.

Micro‑G is an open-source alternative to Google Play Services. It mimics the core functionality that many apps depend on, allowing them to function normally, but without sending any data to Google. Thanks to Micro‑G, apps like Rabobank, DigiD, NS, and WhatsApp work perfectly fine on the OwnPhone.

You set the pace, without giving up convenience

The beauty of the OwnPhone is that you don’t have to change all your habits overnight. You can use your phone just like you always have. Most apps work. Everything your current phone can do, this one can too.

As long as the apps that matter to you still work (and chances are high they do), there’s really no reason not to switch. From there, you decide how far you want to go. Still using WhatsApp because of your kids’ class group? That’s fine, it works. At the same time, you can already start exploring privacy-friendly alternatives.

Of course, switching phones takes a bit of effort. But we’re here to help. From transferring your contacts to importing your calendar, our community offers step-by-step guides and helpful tools.

We’ve got your back, so you can take ownership of your data, without sacrificing ease of use.

Try it for yourself

Want to learn more about the OwnPhone or order one right away?
Visit www.yourdata.network/ownphone

Or sign up for a free live webinar where we explain everything about the OwnPhone and the decentralized internet. Check the schedule at www.yourdata.network or our webinar page

Getting Better Every Month: What’s New on the ThreeFold Grid

Posted on by Neha Agrawal

At YourData Network we help people and organizations work with a new kind of internet infrastructure: open, decentralized and built for your autonomy.

The technology behind this is called the ThreeFold Grid. It is a new kind of internet—one that addresses the key flaws of the current system:

  • Too much control in the hands of Big Tech
  • No real ownership of your data or digital identity
  • A massive energy footprint from traditional data centers
  • Locked-in cloud systems that limit freedom and innovation

ThreeFold is building the technical foundation. We help you work with it, use it and understand it. Every month, ThreeFold makes the Grid better. Here’s what changed in May 2025—and what that means for you.

1. A Smarter, Faster and More Stable Network

One of the most important updates was to Mycelium, the part of the ThreeFold Grid that handles how devices connect and send data to each other. Think of it as the routing system or the “traffic controller” of the network.

With this upgrade:

  • Data routes refresh themselves automatically when needed
  • The system avoids unnecessary traffic and delays
  • Devices only share the data they are supposed to, increasing efficiency and privacy

There’s also a fix for what’s called “unowned subnets.” In plain terms: parts of the internet that are not properly assigned can no longer be falsely advertised as available. This improves trust, reduces errors and protects the network from misuse.

What it means for you
Whether you’re using a decentralized app, accessing storage or just connecting securely, everything now loads faster and runs more smoothly—with fewer interruptions or errors.

More details here:
ThreeFold May 2025 Update

2. Launching Services Just Got Easier

You no longer need to be a developer to launch something on the Grid. Thanks to a tool called Pulumi, starting your own online service is now much more accessible.

Let’s break it down:

  • Pulumi is an automation tool that helps you set up digital infrastructure with a few simple commands
  • A deployment just means putting something live on the network—like your own app, private storage space or secure VPN

The result: anyone can now launch a service without needing to code everything from scratch.

What it means for you
Want to store files privately? Run a community website? Set up your own VPN? Pulumi now makes this possible with less hassle.

Learn more in the ThreeFold Manual

3. More Control With the ThreeFold Connect App

The ThreeFold Connect app is your personal gateway to the decentralized internet. It lets you:

  • Manage your wallet and digital identity
  • Swap ThreeFold Tokens (TFT) for USDC
  • Keep track of your connected devices or “nodes”
  • Vote on proposals that shape the network’s future

Recent improvements include:

  • A built-in marketplace for token swaps
  • Cleaner, more transparent transaction history
  • Background notifications if one of your nodes goes offline

What it means for you
The app is more reliable, easier to use and gives you more visibility over your digital environment.

Download it here:
ThreeFold Connect

4. Meet the OwnPhone: Privacy First, No Big Tech

On May 29 YourData Network launched the OwnPhone: the first smartphone built entirely on the ThreeFold Grid. That means:

  • No Google services
  • No hidden data collection
  • Full user control from the moment you switch it on

This isn’t just a phone. It’s the start of the 3Fold Phone family—devices that will soon include AI assistants (3AI) and personal bots (3Bot), all under your control.

More about the vision:
Introducing the OwnPhone

5. Better Tools for Builders

The Grid’s developer tools were also upgraded. You now get:

  • A bridge to the Stellar and Solana blockchain networks
  • Support for multiple login keys when launching a service
  • A public dashboard (WebUI) even visible to users who aren’t logged in

Even if you’re not building today, it’s good to know the tools are ready when you are.

See the tools:
ThreeFold Manual

6. A Network Run by Its Users

ThreeFold isn’t controlled by a company. It runs on a DAO: a decentralized voting system. In May:

  • The 3.17 update was approved
  • Extra TFT was minted to support rewards for hosting capacity
  • Reward calculations were adjusted after a review of network uptime

What it means for you
The community, not a company, decides how the network grows and who gets rewarded. It’s fair and transparent.

7. Real-World Demos and What’s Coming Next

In May, ThreeFold also launched a live demo showing how you can run a private VPN using WireGuard and IPv6 directly on the Grid. It’s a real-world example of secure, peer-to-peer internet infrastructure.

And in July, the DePIN Summit takes place in Mombasa and Zanzibar, bringing together builders from around the world who are shaping the future of decentralized internet.

Why This Matters

The current internet is built for companies not people. It is centralized, energy-hungry and opaque.

ThreeFold is building something better:

  • An internet you can own
  • One that is privacy-friendly and energy-efficient
  • An open platform for anyone who wants to build, connect or create

At YourData Network we make it simple to be part of this movement. Whether you want to explore, launch or contribute: we’re here to help.

Want to know where to start? Reach out. We’d love to guide you.

Learn More About the Decentralized Internet?

Join us this Thursday, June 12 at 8 PM CET, for an English-language webinar “Introduction to the Decentralized Internet”. You’ll learn how this technology works, why it matters and how to get started.

Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/decentral-internet

How to create your Farm ID in the ThreeFold Connect app

Posted on by Ed

To order a node or run your own, you first need to create a Farm ID. A farm is a digital location where your node(s) will be placed. It’s linked to your personal wallet, where you receive the rewards generated by your node(s).

Follow the steps below to set it up in just a few minutes using the ThreeFold Connect App on your mobile phone.

What you’ll need

  • A smartphone (YourOS, Android or iOS)
  • Internet connection
  • A valid email address
  • A pen and paper (for security purposes)

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Install the ThreeFold Connect app

Download the app:

If you have an OwnPhone, the app is already pre-installed on your device.

Once installed, open the app.

Step 2: Create your account

  1. Choose a username.
  1. Enter your email address (you’ll receive a confirmation email).
  1. Carefully write down the 24-word seed phrase shown to you.
    Important:
    • Do not take a screenshot.
    • Do not store it digitally.
    • Write it down on paper and keep it safe.
    • This is the only way to recover your account and wallet.
  1. You’ll be asked to confirm 3 words from your seed phrase to complete verification.
  1. Set a 4-digit PIN code for easy future access.
  1. Finish the account setup and check your email inbox for a confirmation email. Click the verification link.

Step 3: Create your wallet

  1. In the app menu, go to Wallet.
  1. Tap Initialize Wallet.
  1. Your wallet will initially be named Daily (you can rename it later).
  1. You now have two wallets:
    • Stellar wallet – used to receive your TFT tokens.
    • TFChain wallet – used internally by ThreeFold (no action required).

To view your wallet address or rename it, tap on the wallet name, then tap the info (i) icon.

Step 4: Create your farm

  1. In the app menu, go to Farming.
  1. The app will search for existing farms – you’ll likely see “No farms found.”
  2. Tap the plus (+) icon in the top right.
  1. Choose between:
    • Version 3 farm (for older nodes)
    • Version 4 farm (for the latest 3Nodes)
  1. Enter a public farm name (this name will appear globally).
  1. Select your wallet (usually called Daily, unless renamed).
  2. Tap Create.

You’re done

Once your farm is created, tap the top-right arrow to open the overview. You’ll see your Farm ID listed there. This number is important:

  • Use it when ordering a 3Node.
  • Or when setting up a self-built node with custom software.

Final tip: keep your seed phrase safe

You are now the only one with access to your wallet and your farm. Losing your 24-word seed phrase means losing access to your wallet forever. Make a secure backup and store it safely.