Hourglass-shaped device concept wants to help save your fingers from doomscrolling

Smartphones have become indispensable tools for staying connected, informed, and productive. However, their endless features can also be a source of distraction, making it difficult to focus on what truly matters. Even something as simple as setting a timer to track our time can quickly turn into a deep dive into social media or endless internet browsing.

So why use a smartphone instead of a dedicated timer? Perhaps you don’t have a physical timer nearby, or maybe you need to sync with a time-tracking app on your phone. Thankfully, there’s a solution that offers the best of both worlds. This innovative gadget concept functions as a timer while keeping your phone out of reach, helping you stay focused without losing the convenience of digital integration.

Designers: Eduardo Gouffran, Andrea Fanelli

A popular piece of advice from productivity experts is to set aside 20 to 25 minutes of uninterrupted time for deep work. It sounds easy in theory, but in practice, our modern brains are wired to constantly shift focus. The challenge becomes even greater when we pick up our phones to set a timer, only to find ourselves lost in an endless cycle of scrolling—ironically, through videos and posts about productivity hacks.

METI, derived from “mind” and “time,” is a digital timer concept designed to create a barrier between you and your phone. Inspired by the classic hourglass, it visually represents the passage of time through a dot matrix grid of lights that mimic falling grains of sand. With a straightforward design and intuitive interface, METI functions much like a traditional kitchen timer but adds a modern touch with a few engaging features.

The primary method of interaction is a scroll wheel, allowing users to set the timer effortlessly. Interestingly, it repurposes the familiar scrolling motion, transforming it from a distraction into a tool for focus. Additionally, the device connects to your phone through a unique and playful shaking gesture, enabling you to set different sessions remotely. This connectivity also provides the opportunity to track usage patterns, offering insights into your productivity and helping you understand how focused—or distracted—you truly are.

Ultimately, the METI concept is essentially a refined physical timer, but one that maintains a connection to digital functionality. It embraces the classic hourglass-inspired design for tracking time while allowing seamless integration with apps and services. Additionally, its vibrant color options add an element of fun and energy, reinforcing the idea that productivity and time management don’t have to feel like tedious tasks.