Motorola taps 'digital tattoo' for phone security
The nickel-sized piece of tech adheres to your wrist and enables instant unlocking.
Motorola is offering a unusual approach to unlocking your smartphone: a piece of circuitry that adheres to your wrist.
The so-dubbed "digital tattoo" for the Moto X smartphone was launched Tuesday. It was first mentioned last year at the D: All Things Digital conference and follows up on Motorola's Skip accessory, a wearable clip that allows users to unlock their phones with a single tap.
Motorola claims that people take 2.3 seconds on average to unlock their phones -- an action they do about 39 times a day. Because this process can be cumbersome and tedious, some people just skip locking their devices in the first place. The handset maker is hoping these wearable technologies can offer a more convenient way to unlock, though it's not clear that digital tattoos will become the next big fashion accessory.
The tattoo is actually a thin, nickel-sized sticker with circuitry. You can adhere one to your wrist and unlock your phone by just touching the device to the tattoo. The NFC-enabled technology is available through VivaLnk, with a pack of 10 costing $10. Each lasts for five days and will stay on when showering, swimming, or working out.