The end of smartphone PIN security?

Motorola wants to make traditional swipe-and-PIN mobile security a thing of the past.

On the official Motorola blog Friday, the company introduced the Motorola Skip -- a new security feature for the soon-to-be-released Moto X smartphone.

Traditional phones are kept secure by entering a pin code -- and smartphones tend to retain this feature. The company says that an average smartphone user will swipe a touchscreen and enter a PIN code to access their mobile device at least 39 times during a day -- and "power users" might go through this ritual up to a hundred times every 24 hours.

Motorola says that despite most tech firms staying faithful to this feature, it tends to be a "cumbersome and slow" process -- taking an average of 2.3 seconds each time.

This, in turn, can have consequences for mobile security, as many people won't bother inputing complex codes that have to be repeated multiple times, and will instead rely on easily-guessed codes such as "0000."

See also: If this is your PIN code, it's time for change

As a result, the handset maker has launched the "Motorola Skip," a small, thumb-sized clip that pairs with the Moto X.

You can clip the Skip to your sleeve or pocket then use it to unlock your smartphone.

How it works:

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. Tap your Moto X to the Skip dot, and your phone is unlocked. 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.

It's such a simple idea, but effective. Would you prefer clip-on security to PIN codes?

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com