This 'transparent phone' has gone viral - but isn't what you think
A woman standing in a queue is scrolling on her phone, like many others, but something's different about the piece of tech she's holding.
What appears to be a crystal clear iPhone is in her hands. The device has gone viral online, with one user sharing a photo and asking, 'I'm sorry, WTF is that??'
Some suggested the item could be a new Nokia phone, retailing for well over £30,000. But no such phone exists.
Not all is as it seems.
The 'clear phone' is actually just a piece of acrylic dubbed the 'methaphone', created in a bid to 'replace the feeling' of having a phone.
The woman at the centre of the viral video, Cat, came forward and explained: 'This little piece of acrylic 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.'
The 'methaphone' could be a unique solution to modern-day technology addiction, but TikTokers were quick to point out the absurdity of the product.
'So this is not a real phone, it's just glass and they're trying to make it sound deeper than what it is,' one wrote. More Trending
Another pointed out: 'Nobody's addicted to holding phones, they're addicted to the apps.'
Phone addiction is becoming more and more common, especially for young people.
Clinical psychologist Dr Marianne Trent previously told Metro that she is concerned about children's use of the tech while their brains and impulse control are still developing.
With the number of children and teens being treated for mental health conditions increasing, a University of Oxford study is looking at whether phones could be contributing to this epidemic.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE: The major mobile phone providers that won't shock you with surprise roaming fees abroad
MORE: WhatsApp will stop working on a range of iPhones today – is yours on the list?
MORE: This major rock band is banning phones at their shows – and fans are loving it
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Geeky Gadgets
3 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Declutter Your Inbox: The Easy Guide to Using Mail Categories Across Apple Devices
Effectively managing your email is essential for maintaining productivity and making sure that important messages are not lost in the clutter of your inbox. Apple's Mail app, available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, offers robust tools to help you organize your emails using categories. These features enable you to streamline your workflow, making it easier to manage communications across all your Apple devices. The video below from Apple shows us how this is done. Watch this video on YouTube. What Are Email Categories in the Mail App? Email categories in the Mail app act as virtual folders or labels, allowing you to group messages based on specific criteria. This organizational method helps you locate, prioritize, and manage emails more effectively. Whether you need to sort work-related emails, personal correspondence, or promotional messages, categories provide a structured way to maintain control over your inbox. By using categories, you can ensure that your inbox remains organized and that important messages are always easy to find. How to Create, Edit, and Delete Categories Setting up categories in the Mail app is a straightforward process that can be customized to suit your needs. Follow these steps to create, edit, or delete categories: On iPhone or iPad: Open the Settings app, navigate to the Mail settings, and create categories by defining their names and assigning colors for easy identification. This visual distinction helps you quickly recognize different categories at a glance. Open the Settings app, navigate to the Mail settings, and create categories by defining their names and assigning colors for easy identification. This visual distinction helps you quickly recognize different categories at a glance. On Mac: Access the Mail preferences from the Mail menu. From there, you can add, edit, or delete categories as needed to reflect your organizational requirements. If your needs change over time, you can easily modify or remove categories to ensure your system remains relevant and efficient. How to Assign Emails to Categories Once you have set up your categories, assigning emails to them is a simple and intuitive process. Here's how you can do it: On iPhone or iPad: Swipe left on an email, tap 'Move,' and select the appropriate category. This quick action allows you to organize your emails without interrupting your workflow. Swipe left on an email, tap 'Move,' and select the appropriate category. This quick action allows you to organize your emails without interrupting your workflow. On Mac: Drag and drop emails into the desired category or use the 'Move to' option in the toolbar. This method provides flexibility and precision when managing your inbox. By assigning emails to categories, you can declutter your inbox and ensure that important messages are stored in an easily accessible location. Synchronization Across Apple Devices A significant advantage of using Apple's ecosystem is the seamless synchronization provided by iCloud. When you create, edit, or delete categories on one device, these changes are automatically updated across all your Apple devices. Whether you're using your iPhone for quick email checks, your iPad for multitasking, or your Mac for detailed email management, your organizational system remains consistent and up to date. This synchronization ensures that you can access your categorized emails anytime, anywhere, without the need for manual updates. Best Practices for Email Organization To maximize the benefits of email categories and maintain an efficient inbox, consider implementing these best practices: Regularly review and update categories: Periodically assess your categories to ensure they align with your current needs and priorities. Periodically assess your categories to ensure they align with your current needs and priorities. Use clear and descriptive names: Assign meaningful names to your categories to make it easier to identify their purpose at a glance. Assign meaningful names to your categories to make it easier to identify their purpose at a glance. Archive or delete irrelevant emails: Remove emails that are no longer needed to keep your inbox clean and manageable. Remove emails that are no longer needed to keep your inbox clean and manageable. Use the search function: Use the search bar to quickly locate emails within specific categories, saving time and effort. Use the search bar to quickly locate emails within specific categories, saving time and effort. Set up rules or filters: Automate the sorting process by creating rules or filters that direct incoming emails into the appropriate categories based on sender, subject, or keywords. By following these strategies, you can maintain a well-organized inbox and reduce the time spent managing your emails. Enhancing Productivity with Email Categories Using categories in the Mail app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac is a practical way to improve your email organization and overall productivity. By creating and managing categories, assigning emails efficiently, and using Apple's synchronization features, you can maintain a structured and streamlined inbox across all your devices. These tools not only help you stay on top of your communications but also make the process of managing emails more efficient and less time-consuming. With a well-organized inbox, you can focus on what truly matters without the distraction of email clutter. Unlock more potential in Email organization by reading previous articles we have written. Source & Image Credit: Apple Support Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Three popular iPhones used by millions risk being cut OFF from free upgrades – full list of devices ‘not eligible'
The new iPhone 17, forecast to hit shelves this autumn, will also receive iOS 26 APPLE BITE Three popular iPhones used by millions risk being cut OFF from free upgrades – full list of devices 'not eligible' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) APPLE is just days away from unveiling its next big software update and suite of new features. But there are three popular iPhone models that may not be eligible for the free upgrade. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The iPhone XR is just one of the devices rumoured to lose out Credit: Getty - Contributor 2 While the trio will continue to receive security updates for the foreseeable future, they won't be able to enjoy any more new features Credit: AP:Associated Press iOS 26 will reportedly be the first Apple software update to be identified by year. And according to MacRumors, which cited a trusted leaker, it will be compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer. If true, it marks the end of software support for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. While the trio will continue to receive security updates for the foreseeable future, they won't be able to enjoy any more new features. The trusted leaker, which shares iOS-related information on a private X account, believes iOS 26 will be available on the following devices: iPhone 16e iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) The new iPhone 17, forecast to hit shelves this autumn, will also receive iOS 26. MacRumors noted that the same X account accurately leaked iOS 18 compatibility details last year. It's worth noting that although some of these older models may be compatible with iOS 26 - they might not receive all the juicy new features. iPhone 16e review – I've secretly tested Apple's cheapest mobile and I love the new button but that's not the best bit Some features will be unavailable to older models due to hardware constraints. For example, Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer - this is because they have more advanced computer chips. Apple executives are expected to share a first glimpse of the new iPhone update at WWDC 2025 on June 9. After this date, the tech giant will release the iOS 26 beta - a version of the software that is not yet ready for public release. Beta software is designed for experts to try, so they can flag any flaws for Apple to iron out before it rolls out more widely. Once the iOS 26 beta hits iPhones, we should have a clearer idea what perks the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR may be missing out on.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Three popular iPhones used by millions risk being cut OFF from free upgrades – full list of devices ‘not eligible'
APPLE is just days away from unveiling its next big software update and suite of new features. But there are three popular iPhone models that may not be eligible for the free upgrade. 2 iOS 26 will reportedly be the first Apple software update to be identified by year. And according to MacRumors, which cited a trusted leaker, it will be compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer. If true, it marks the end of software support for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. While the trio will continue to receive security updates for the foreseeable future, they won't be able to enjoy any more new features. The trusted leaker, which shares iOS-related information on a private X account, believes iOS 26 will be available on the following devices: iPhone 16e iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) The new iPhone 17, forecast to hit shelves this autumn, will also receive iOS 26. MacRumors noted that the same X account accurately leaked iOS 18 compatibility details last year. It's worth noting that although some of these older models may be compatible with iOS 26 - they might not receive all the juicy new features. iPhone 16e review – I've secretly tested Apple's cheapest mobile and I love the new button but that's not the best bit Some features will be unavailable to older models due to hardware constraints. For example, Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer - this is because they have more advanced computer chips. Apple executives are expected to share a first glimpse of the new iPhone update at WWDC 2025 on June 9. After this date, the tech giant will release the iOS 26 beta - a version of the software that is not yet ready for public release. Beta software is designed for experts to try, so they can flag any flaws for Apple to iron out before it rolls out more widely. Once the iOS 26 beta hits iPhones, we should have a clearer idea what perks the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR may be missing out on. CHECK YOUR IPHONE'S BATTERY USAGE Here's what you need to do... You can see a quick overview of your battery level and activity by going to Settings > Battery. Tap a time period to see your Activity graph for the last 24 hours, or a set number of days. You can also see a list of apps that contributed to your battery usage. And it'll display the amount of battery that was used by each individual app. You can see how long each app was in use on the screen, as well as in the background. Apple explains that you might see the following usage types: Background Activity means that most of the app's battery usage — such as playing music or tracking location — happened while the app was in the background. No Cell Coverage and Low Signal means that your device was searching for a signal or being used with a low signal. Connected to Charger means the app was used only when your device was charging. If you're worried about battery life and can't get to a charger right away, consider turning Low Power Mode on to preserve it. You can find this feature in your battery settings.
