A new initiative, the TON Labs, a startup backed by the Telegram messaging app, is all set to launch a marketplace for mini-applications dubbed as TON Surf. These apps will be built on Telegram Open Network (TON), a decentralized network project. This initiative aims to offer a diverse range of services to Telegram's 500 million users, creating an ecosystem that is not reliant on Android's Play Store or Apple's App Store.
According to Alexander Filatov, CEO and Managing Partner of TON Labs, this venture is an effort to break the duopoly held by Google and Apple in the mobile app market. This initiative will allow developers to create blockchain-based applications that can be utilized by the users of the Telegram messaging platform. The mini-apps will be based on the Free TON blockchain, an adaptation of the original TON project.
These mini-apps will offer multiple services, including games, services for the gig economy, social networking apps, and more. The primary purpose of these apps is to provide Telegram users with a variety of services without requiring them to install separate applications for each service. Instead, they can access all these services within the Telegram app itself.
However, this venture has a significant challenge to overcome. Currently, most apps are built using HTML, a programming language not supported by the Free TON blockchain. To address this, TON Labs will offer developers a new programming language, TON-Solidity, which will be compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine. This will allow developers to create decentralized applications that can interact seamlessly with the Free TON blockchain.
The TON Surf testing phase was launched in December 2020, with several mini-apps already live. Filatov is optimistic about the project and believes that this could be a significant step towards making blockchain technology more accessible and user-friendly.
However, the project has also faced some criticism. Some skeptics argue that this could lead to increased surveillance and censorship, as all user activities would be concentrated within a single platform. Nonetheless, TON Labs is confident that the advantages of this initiative will outweigh the potential drawbacks, as it will provide users with a more convenient and efficient way to access multiple services.