'Hackproof' Quasar IV Android smartphone gets the go-ahead

A company claiming to make the most secure smartphone software on the market announces that it's on schedule to make the phones for real.

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Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).

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Jessica Dolcourt

Oct. 9, 2013 3:12 p.m. PT

QSAlpha Quasar IV — The self-funded Quasar IV "ciperphone" promises to rebuff hackers. QSAlpha

Remember the self-funded high-end smartphone with an approach to security so strong, it promises to rebuff data thieves? Well, startup QSAlpha announced on Wednesday that its Quasar IV Android smartphone is now going into production.

What's more, the company reveals that its manufacturing partner is "one of the world's largest consumer electronics OEM manufacturers."

My instinct says this mystery partner is Samsung, based on the company's interest in security through its Samsung Knox product, and in Samsung's willingness to take risks with unique and niche products, like the deeply curved Samsung Galaxy Round, Samsung Galaxy Golden Android flip phone, and even the Samsung Galaxy Note series, which the company has turned into a successful line.

Although QSAlpha has a prototype phone to show off, it isn't the hardware the company is most concerned in selling. Instead, it's QSAlpha's secure take on Android that will be this mobile security company's bread and butter.

QSAlpha says it will ship the high-end smartphone -- which will include Android 4.3, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, and a 13-megapixel camera -- sometime in 2014. Read all about the Quasar IV here.