Motorola Skip accessory now available for the X Phone, unlocks the device with a single tap

Update: It has now been officially announced – full blog entry below

Even though the device is not yet availability to the public, Motorola has just put a new X Phone accessory up for sale on its website. The “Motorola Skip” is described as a wearable accessory that you can use to  “unlock [your] phone with a single tap.” Details are still a bit scarce, but it looks as if the device is attached to a clip and simply gives you the ability to tap it to unlock your phone. According to the support document, the device will work via NFC. The Skip starts at $19.99, which seems a tad pricey for something that saves you all of a few seconds.

Droid-Life suggests, however, that it could be a way for X Phone users to bypass their passcode when taking the device out of their pocket. This would certainly save security-focused users sometime and would be just as, if not more, secure than simply using a passcode.

Full blog entry:

Friday, August 16, 2013

Hello Skip. Goodbye PIN. Introducing Motorola Skip for Moto X.

Thirty-nine. That’s the number of times the typical person unlocks their smartphone each day. For power users it’s closer to a hundred times per day. At 2.3 seconds each time the phone is unlocked, it adds up to a lot of time spent entering 4-digit PINs or patterns. Because it’s cumbersome and slow, many people never bother with authentication at all, or they use fast but easily-guessed PINs like “0000.”

Our smartphones are central to our digital lives…the keys to our friends, our finances, and a lot of our personal information. Security is increasingly important, but it shouldn’t be irritating. At D11 this year, Regina Dugan, who leads our Advanced Technology & Projects group, talked about futuristic ‘superpower-like’ authentication methods we’re working on. Today we’re launching Motorola Skip for Moto X, which is the first step on the path. 

Skip is a thin, thumb-sized clip that pairs with your Moto X and unlocks it with a simple tap. Wear Skip on your shirt sleeve, shirt hem, belt loop — wherever it feels most comfortable. It’s fast, easy and secure. It provides all the benefits of a PIN without the hassle.

There are three Skip dots included with each Skip. Skip dots are stickers that, like Skip, provide authentication and also create “trusted zones” for Touchless Control. Try a Skip dot on your dashboard, your nightstand, or your desk at work. Just tap your Moto X to the Skip dot, and your phone is unlocked. Place your phone on the bedside Skip dot, “OK, Google Now, set alarm for 7 a.m.,” or place it on a Skip dot in the kitchen, “OK Google Now, what is cardamom?”

Only Skip and Skip dots that have been paired with your phone will unlock it, and you can easily unpair them if you lose or replace your Skip. If you don’t have your Skip or Skip dot handy, you can still unlock your phone with your PIN.

Once Moto X launches, Motorola Skip with three Skip dots will be available for purchase on Motorola.com. For a limited time, Motorola Skip will be included for free with all orders of Moto X through Moto Maker. To start, Skip will be available in gray with a black accent. We’ll be adding colors later this fall, and we’ll let you know more about that soon.

Security is important. Skip makes it easy.