Already Tired of the iPhone?

For those of us who become tired just thinking about the iPhone, the ultra chic minimalist Media Skin phone from Japanese operator KDDI offers a welcome high- design, lo-fi alternative. Hailing from the design house that previously enlisted Marc Newson to create the Talby phone, this latest offering is the brainchild of designer Tokujin Yoshioka, who made his name with Issey Miyake.

The Media Skin, which looks and feels more like a work of art than a gadget, is part of the MOMA's permanent collection. With few add ons, it reminds us that there is life beyond our collective crackberry addition.

Currently available in Japan.

www.au.kddi.com/au_design_project/

— Sabine Heller