Umbrel, an operating system (OS) built specifically to run the Bitcoin node, the Lightning Network node, and other self-hosted applications on the Raspberry Pi, today announced a partnership with Bitcoin node maker The Bitcoin Machines to deliver a plug-and-play Umbrel server solution.
“The server features a beautiful all-aluminum design with a 1.8″ screen, and is powered by a Raspberry Pi 4 with a 1.6GHz quad-core CPU and 8GB RAM, with the option to choose between 1TB and 2TB SSD storage,” The company said in a statement sent to Bitcoin Magazine.
Image via press release
Umbrel entertained non-technical users in the Bitcoin community when it first came out due to its focus on usability, user interface (UI), and user experience (UX). However, users had to install the operating system on the Raspberry Pi manually. The new offering seeks to provide the ability to run a Bitcoin node to more people as all a user needs to do is plug the pre-built device into their routers, with no configuration required. The server is already available to order on the Bitcoin Machines store, priced at $429 for a 1 TB option and $559 for a 2 TB option.
“Since our launch, people have always been amazed at how easy it is to run your own Bitcoin and Lightning Network node, and now a full personal server, with Umbrel,” said Mayank Chhabra, Co-Founder and CEO of Umbrel. “But from a hardware standpoint, compiling your own Umbrel server…still requires multiple steps that can be intimidating to many.”
Image via press release
“This is why we are so excited to partner with The Bitcoin Machines to offer a plug-and-play Umbrel server,” Chhabra added, “You literally have to plug the device into your router and turn it on, and that’s it! Digital autonomy and privacy are now within the masses.”
Running your own Bitcoin node is vital for a number of reasons, but perhaps most important is that it’s the only way to know for sure how much Bitcoin you have. Node is the only way to truly enjoy Bitcoin’s property of distrust; If you don’t run a node yourself, someone will run a node for you.
Umbrel started as an operating system that sought to provide ordinary users with an easier-to-use way to participate in the peer-to-peer Bitcoin network. Recently, however, the operating system Expanded its offers By enabling ten new self-hosted apps on its App Store. Users were then able to create their own self-sovereign solutions, including file hosting, messaging, and image and video hosting, among others.
