Sorry to hear that. You might want to try taking out the batteries, and replug it into another USB port. Restart the computer and run the firmware updater without running the main Skip App. There was a "new hardware" chime when I plugged the bricked device, so my device was likely in "bootloader" mode.
I realise all prior software versions have been removed, leaving all users stranded. There are 2 workarounds - either updating the firmware manually to 4.12.18, or ignore the firmware update.
My remote is now extremely buggy regardless of firmware version. The remote simply refuses to light up after I unplug it from a sync.
EDIT: Attributed this to dead batteries - the stock batteries were completely drained despite not using the remote.
@jason @Nathan - please pull the software release and fix this hot mess.
Manual firmware update
1) Locate the 4.12.18 firmware in your Program Files > WindowsApp folder. For me it was located in "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\SkipApp_0.9.80.6008_x64__sddpyax1dmvqm\Assets". Firmware file is "skip.1s.a06.bin"
2) Extract that file and manually flash the device using the standalone updater.
3) Once firmware is successfully flashed, run Skip app. Everything should be back to normal.
Cancel firmware update
The app button shows "UPDATE" by default. Click on it, and click the "x" button on top. You should be able to sync. The UI/UX is misleading - the software should never encourage a firmware update just to use the app.