Autonomous ships a $9 key that locks distracting phone apps

In short: Autonomous has begun shipping a $9 physical key that helps people block distracting apps by requiring an in-person scan to unlock them.

What happened

Autonomous is shipping a product called Autonomous Key after a Kickstarter campaign. It is currently in beta, which means it is still being tested and improved before a full release.

The idea is simple. You pick which apps you want to lock, like Instagram or TikTok, and they stay blocked unless you scan the key with your phone. The key uses NFC (a short-range “tap to connect” feature, like contactless payment).

When you scan the key, the apps unlock for up to 60 minutes. After that, they lock again automatically. The key is about three inches long, comes in five colors, and works with Android 8.0 or later and iPhones running iOS 15 or later.

Autonomous says its companion app also offers AI-powered insights, meaning it summarizes your habits based on what you do. It tracks how often you unlock apps, how long you keep them open, and what times of day you reach for them most. The summary is described as intentionally “sassy,” like a coach that teases you a little to make a point.

The TechCrunch review noted some limits. The NFC scan sometimes took multiple tries, and if you lose the key, the current workaround can involve reinstalling the app. The company says a backup unlock method is planned.

Why it matters

Many screen-time tools are easy to ignore because they live on the same phone you are trying to put down. A physical key can add friction (like putting cookies on a high shelf) by making access a deliberate choice instead of a quick tap.

Source: TechCrunch AI