Latest news with #Methaphone
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Can a phone-shaped slab help reduce your screen time?
You know that constant itch to pick up your phone, the one that leads to a few mindless scrolls and swipes? Maybe you picked it up thinking there would be a new notification. But there wasn't. Still, you unlocked it anyway, opened an app and closed it. Opened another, scrolled through some Reels or Shorts, liked a post or two, shared a few memes. And just like that, an hour was gone. Remember, there was no real reason to pick up your phone in the first maybe you were out on a coffee date with a close friend. You had a lot to catch up on, a lot to debrief about what's been going on in life. Yet you couldn't help but reach for your phone again and again, just out of habit. Not that you weren't listening, but every now and then, you'd sneak a glance, only to quickly put it away after receiving a well-deserved death it often happens to you too, you're not alone. Smartphone addiction is a growing global concern, with Indian users spending an average of five hours a day on their devices. Interestingly, some people in the West are turning to a different kind of phone (not really a phone) to tackle their smartphone overuse. The Methaphone is a phone-shaped acrylic slab. And that's it. Its weight and shape make it feel like a phone, and that's all. There's no screen, no internet, nothing. You hold it, do some mindless scrolls and swipes, and put it back in your pocket. No hours are wasted watching smartphone-shaped slab was created by Eric Antonow, a former marketing executive at Google and Facebook, as both a cheeky art project and a behavioural tool to help curb phone addiction. When he sent samples to his friends, a video by TikTok creator Catherine Goetze went crazy viral, making the first batch of 100 pieces sell out quickly. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CatGPT (@askcatgpt)Though it is not available for purchase in India, the stock was initially retailed for USD 25. To get a quote, you can place a request on their is not like a kids' toy phone, but a rather serious adult version of it. So, is it the new, cool phone detox tool? Maybe, or maybe not. Psychologists have a lot to say about whether a phone-shaped acrylic slab can help control your screen time.'The Methaphone is a fascinating concept because it doesn't try to fight the urge directly, it seeks to redirect it. In many ways, that's smart. Behavioural psychology shows us that trying to eliminate a habit cold turkey often creates resistance. Substituting the habit with a familiar physical ritual, like holding something phone-shaped, can offer a somatic cue of comfort without actual engagement,' says Dr Chandni Tugnait, a psychotherapist and founder-director of Gateway of Healing in Walawalkar, psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, who often sees people struggling with phone addiction, says that those who feel anxious or restless without a phone in hand can benefit from this conceptual toy.'It might serve as a transitional object, helping reduce constant checking and offering comfort without digital distractions,' she Tugnait also agrees. 'It may work temporarily by satisfying the 'hand craving', the physical reflex of reaching for a phone during idle moments, social anxiety, or boredom. Think of it like a pacifier for adults in the digital age. This can be calming for people who feel overstimulated or dysregulated by constant screen exposure.'And then emerges an existential it can't be a long-term solutionThis is just another add-to-cart product that offers a quick hit of satisfaction, like any impulsive purchase, but it's unlikely to help in the long run. It doesn't address the deeper emotional drivers behind your phone addiction, like loneliness, FOMO, the need for reward, or the urge to Methaphone may soothe tactile craving, but it doesn't engage the brain's dopamine loop that comes from checking notifications, swiping, or scrolling. So while the hand feels 'occupied', the brain may experience a subtle frustration because it expects stimulation but receives none. This could lead to increased irritability or rebound scrolling later, especially in those with stronger tech dependencies,' explains Dr Tugnait. Photo: Then, you also confront an existential crisis that makes you meet the sans-phone version of yourself.'Holding a Methaphone may reveal deeper withdrawal not from the device, but from the self-concept it props up. The discomfort Methaphone reveals isn't about not holding a phone, it's about not knowing who you are without the phone,' adds Dr you use a phone-like slab to curb screen time?Anyone struggling with phone addiction often desperately wants to cut down their usage, especially when the toll on physical and mental health becomes hard to ignore. While some turn to built-in screen time controls on their phones and apps, others dream of switching to dumbphones (which, by the way, have been seeing a rise in sales).advertisementWhether or not you plan to introduce a placebo phone into your life, here are some expert-approved ways to reduce your screen time:Keep your phone in another roomGive time to offline habits (exercise, hobbies, time with loved ones)Use built-in screen time and app limit features (try that again)Don't take your phone to the loo or the dinner tableDelete distracting appsSpeak to a mental health professionalThe verdictOn its own, it's a clever tactile tool. Paired with conscious intention, it could become a bridge to genuine tech healing.- EndsMust Watch
Fast Company
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
It turns out TikTok's viral clear phone is just plastic. Meet the ‘Methaphone'
A viral clip of a woman scrolling on a completely clear phone with no user interface briefly confused—and amused—the internet. But the truth turned out to be far more literal than most expected. Originally posted to TikTok by user CatGPT, the video quickly racked up over 52.9 million views. In the comments, some speculated it was a Nokia model; others guessed it came from the Nickelodeon show Henry Danger. 'This looks like a social commentary or a walking art exhibit. I'm too uncultured to understand,' one user commented. 'It's from a Black Mirror episode,' another wrote. Turns out, it was none of the above. Just a piece of plastic. The woman seen in line is also the one who uploaded the clip. In a follow-up video posted days later, she shared the 'true story.' 'This is a Methaphone,' she explains. 'It is exactly what it looks like, a clear piece of acrylic shaped like an iPhone.' The 'device' was invented by her friend as a response to phone addiction. 'He told me that what he wanted to test was, if we're all so addicted to our phones, then could you potentially curb somebody's addiction by replacing the feeling of having a phone in your pocket with something that feels exactly the same?' she continued. 'This little piece of acrylic feels like a physical artifact that directly responds to this collective tension we all feel about how our devices, which are meant to make us more connected, are actually having the exact opposite effect.' A 2023 study by found that nearly 57% of Americans reported feeling addicted to their phones. Some admitted to checking their phones over 100 times a day, and 75% said they feel uneasy when they realize they've left their phone at home. In the comments, many questioned whether pretending to scroll on a chunk of plastic could actually help with phone addiction. 'This sounds like [an] SNL sketch,' one user wrote. 'What stage of capitalism is this?' another asked. Some were simply disappointed it wasn't a real phone. Despite the skepticism, the Methaphone raised $1,100 on Indiegogo. The campaign has since closed, though the creator says more may be produced if demand is high. Priced at $20, with a neon pink version going for $25, the Methaphone 'looks like a simple acrylic slab—and it is,' the page reads. 'But it's also a stand-in, a totem, and an alibi. It's the first step on the road to freedom.'
News18
20-05-2025
- News18
This $20 ‘Phone' Helps You Scroll Without The Internet
Last Updated: With its smooth, blank surface, this $20 device lets users simulate browsing without having to access any digital content. In the US market, a startup named Methaphone has come up with a novel way to combat phone addiction: a phone that looks and feels like a real smartphone. This simple device, which costs $20 (about Rs 1700), has a smooth, blank surface that lets users simulate scrolling without having to access any digital content. This device initially gained popularity after a woman was seen reportedly scrolling on a piece of glass in a TikTok video that went viral, leading to rumours of a 'new Nokia transparent phone." The object was later identified as a 'methaphone," a clear acrylic slab designed to resemble an iPhone and aid in the combat against phone addiction, according to Gulf News. As per reports, it is made of translucent, long-lasting acrylic that mimics the weight and design of a modern phone, providing a tactile experience for people who want to limit their screen time. In situations where users are tempted to reach for their phone, they can use the Methaphone to imitate scrolling. It can help people progressively lessen their reliance on their phones and become more conscious of how they use them. 'My friend is the inventor and creator of this. If we're so addicted to our phones, could you reduce that dependency by giving someone something that feels like a phone, just without the tech? Something that still fits in your pocket, still feels familiar?" CatGPT, an Instagram user, clarified in a video. 'Honestly, have I used my phone less since I started carrying this around? Probably not. But it's sparked conversations, and that's what really matters," she added. Shared on May 16, the video has garnered over 1 million views so far. Methaphone's Fake Phone: How it Works – Tactile sensation: Users can satiate their need to check their phones with the Methaphone's tactile sensation, which is comparable to touching a genuine smartphone. – Anxiety Reduction: It is claimed that users of the Methaphone can overcome their compulsive screen-checking behaviour and experience less anxiety. – Mindfulness: The device encourages users to adopt better behaviours and be more aware of how they use their phones. By substituting a physical, screen-free experience for digital interactions, the methaphone concept encourages users to reconsider their phone usage patterns. The purpose of this psychological experiment is to get consumers to think about how they behave and how their devices affect their lives. While some people praised the Methaphone as an innovative way to disconnect, others expressed dismay that it wasn't a truly transparent phone. The popular video has sparked discussions on digital wellness. First Published: May 20, 2025, 12:52 IST
NDTV
19-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
No Apps, No Notifications: US Startup's 'Fake' Phones Spark Buzz Online
In a bid to combat phone addiction, a startup called Methaphone has introduced a unique solution in the US market - a fake phone designed to mimic the shape and weight of a real smartphone. This minimalist device, priced at $20, features a smooth, empty surface that allows users to mimic scrolling motions without accessing any digital content. This device first came to attention after a viral TikTok video showed a woman seemingly scrolling on a piece of glass, sparking speculation about a "new Nokia transparent phone." However, it was later revealed that the object was a "methaphone", a clear acrylic slab shaped like an iPhone to help combat phone addiction, Gulf News reported. Made from durable, transparent acrylic, it replicates the weight and contours of a modern phone, offering a tactile experience for those looking to curb their screen time. When users feel the urge to reach for their phone, they can grab the Methaphone instead and engage in a simulated scrolling motion. This can help users become more aware of their phone usage habits and gradually reduce their dependence on their devices. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CatGPT (@askcatgpt) 'My friend is the inventor and creator of this. If we're so addicted to our phones, could you reduce that dependency by giving someone something that feels like a phone, just without the tech? Something that still fits in your pocket, still feels familiar?'' Instagram user CatGPT explained in a video. "Honestly, have I used my phone less since I started carrying this around? Probably not. But it's sparked conversations, and that's what really matters," she added. How it Works: Tactile Experience: The Methaphone provides a tactile experience similar to holding a real smartphone, allowing users to satisfy their urge to check their phone. Anxiety Reduction: By using the Methaphone, users can allegedly reduce anxiety and break the habit of compulsively checking their screens. Mindfulness: The device encourages users to be more mindful of their phone usage and develop healthier habits. The methaphone concept challenges users to rethink their phone habits by replacing digital interactions with a physical, screen-free experience. This psychological experiment encourages users to reflect on their behaviour and consider the impact of devices on their lives. The viral video has ignited debates about digital wellness, with some users praising the Methaphone as a clever way to disconnect, while others expressed disappointment that it wasn't a real transparent phone.
