Former Google developers unveil “Metaphone” – symbolic antidote to smartphone addiction

American developers Eric Antonov and Greg Hochmuth, both formerly affiliated with Google, have introduced an unconventional gadget aimed at curbing smartphone dependency.

Dubbed the “Metaphone”, the device is a minimalist, transparent acrylic plate designed to resemble an iPhone — but with none of its digital capabilities, Caliber.Az reports.

According to the creators, Metaphone is intended as a form of "substitution therapy" for individuals struggling with compulsive smartphone use. With no screen, buttons, or interface, the object offers a physical but functionless alternative, helping users “unlearn” the habit of constant engagement with digital devices.

Resembling a glass iPhone, Metaphone features a six-inch display silhouette with rounded edges and a green border. Its design echoes the form factor of a smartphone without providing any electronic functionality — a deliberate choice that, the creators say, mimics the comforting feel of a phone without the distractions.

Antonov and Hochmuth liken the Metaphone to “an e-cigarette without nicotine,” offering a tactile placeholder for the habitual gesture of holding a phone, but without the dopamine-triggering stimuli of apps and notifications.

Unlike similar novelty products such as NoPhone, Metaphone adds a conceptual twist: it comes with optional stickers representing "offline apps" like “Read,” “Breathe,” and “Walk.” These symbolic applications encourage mindful, screen-free activities.

The developers are currently exploring partnerships with cafes, restaurants, and public venues to promote Metaphone as a symbolic tool for digital detox — inviting users to reclaim their attention spans in a tech-saturated world.

By Vafa Guliyeva