The protocol they're using probably isn't very special. 

You could probably run a stripped down WoS (just functionality) on one of these devices today. I'd guess the main hurdle is app store approval. 

1.4 billion potential bitcoiners in India

Run Machankura https://twitter.com/Machankura8333

I wonder how far are we from something like this $12 phone being able to run a lightning wallet (even if hosted, like WoS...). 

nout

It's a $12 phone in case anyone else misread it too.

UPI appears to be a protocol that banks implement that allow banking to be done on these $12 feature phones.

 It kind of proves how beneficial constraints can be.

tech

Jio Bharat - 4G phone for ₹999 (~$12) with UPI payment support

It's a $12 phone in case anyone else misread it too.

UPI appears to be a protocol that banks implement that allow banking to be done on these $12 feature phones.[^1] It kind of proves how beneficial constraints can be.

[^1]: https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi/product-overview