Khaberni - In an innovative attempt to curb smartphone addiction, a start-up in the field of neuroscience called Matter Neuroscience developed a phone case that weighs about 6 pounds (2.7 kg), roughly the equivalent weight of a 16-inch MacBook Pro, and it is believed to be capable of reducing phone usage time by half.
Unlike conventional light-weight and sleek phone covers, the company designed its new case from stainless steel, making it heavy and deliberately complex to assemble, aiming to make using the phone a cumbersome and uncomfortable task.
The case consists of two metal pieces that are fixed around the phone using a special screwdriver, making its removal difficult and time-consuming.
Its creators say that this intended complexity encourages users to put the phone aside when they feel exhausted from carrying and using it.
In the product description on Kickstarter, the company mentioned that the design provides what it described as a "physical feedback loop against overuse," where the muscle fatigue resulting from its weight leads the user to reduce browsing time, while some commented jokingly that it "strengthens the muscles."
The case is sold at a starting price of 210 dollars, while the heavier copper-made version is priced up to 500 dollars.
The product is currently in the crowdfunding stage on the platform Kickstarter, where the company hopes to raise 75 thousand dollars to support the project, but so far it has only managed to raise 17 thousand dollars.
