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by inetknght 2290 days ago
> a very cheap, pocket key chain size, battery powered USB device that stores crypto keys and OTP pads.

Yubikey fits pretty close, I think. What purpose would you need it to be battery powered if it's USB?

2 comments

> Yubikey

The Yubikey has similar storage features and is the perfect size and shape. Unfortunately, it's missing the main feature I'm talking about: easy inter-device communication.

> What purpose would you need it to be battery powered if it's USB?

It needs to be self powered because

>> The key feature of the device is that touching two of the devices together

I want people to be able to protect their communication with someone simply by meeting them in person and touching their USB crypto devices together. It should be a device someone stores on their person along with their other security devices like their house/car keys. The goal is to make the crypto easy so the individual can use it in situations where they already solved the authentication problem. If exchanging keys with someone depends on something complex like a computer or phone, a lot of people won't use it.

Keep the device without a battery, and instead rely on a USB battery pack to power it in the field for in-person OTP transfer.
For the physical hand-shake key-exchange mentioned?