Over the weekend, social media users were left scratching their heads over what appeared to be a futuristic ‘transparent phone’ — only to discover it’s not a phone at all.
The unusual object quickly went viral, not because of groundbreaking tech, but because of what it isn’t.
Catherine, who goes by ‘CatGPT’ online, is known for sharing straightforward, jargon-free content about AI and technology. She recently cleared up the mystery behind the so-called ‘glass phone’ by revealing its true purpose — and it’s more philosophical than functional.
Dubbed a methaphone, the object is actually a clear piece of acrylic shaped like a smartphone. Catherine explained that it was designed by a friend of hers, who wanted to explore an interesting idea: if people are so attached to the feeling of having a phone, could you help curb that addiction by replacing it with something that feels the same, without any of the digital distractions?
The concept gained traction after a video circulated online showing someone holding the methaphone in a queue, mimicking the actions of others on their devices. From a distance, it looked like just another person on their phone — but on closer inspection, it was clearly just a block of transparent plastic.
Catherine said the item is resonating with people because it taps into a growing unease about our relationship with technology: “It feels like a physical artefact 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.”
While she admits it hasn’t reduced her screen time, Catherine believes the methaphone still holds value as a tool to spark conversation. “Just the idea that I could have something in my life, something I can touch and hold, and the conversation that this little guy is sparking online — that’s what really matters,” she said.
Social media users had mixed reactions. Some praised it as a clever way to build awareness around phone addiction:
“I think I would just use it so I can be more focused. I find myself reaching for my phone all the time.”
“It’s a starter for more people to raise awareness on how addicted we all are to our phones… a catalyst to inspire people.”
Others were more cynical, calling it “peak consumerism” and questioning the need to buy a product that “does nothing.” Some even expressed disappointment that it wasn’t a real piece of cutting-edge tech, with one comment summing up the mood:
“Society is cooked.”
So while the methaphone might not be solving the tech addiction crisis, it’s certainly starting conversations — and maybe that’s the point.