Overview

• A TikTok video by user Cat (@askcatgpt) showing a woman holding a transparent phone-like device went viral, sparking speculation it was a futuristic prototype.
• The device, called a 'methaphone,' is a non-functional clear acrylic object designed to mimic a smartphone and encourage reflection on digital dependency.
• Despite selling out after the video gained widespread attention, the methaphone did not reduce actual screen time for the TikToker who tested it over a week.
• Industry experts have dismissed the feasibility of fully transparent smartphones, citing technological and cost challenges, despite public interest in the concept.
• The methaphone aligns with broader efforts to address smartphone addiction, though experts suggest neurological factors limit the impact of tactile interventions.