Nothing
Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 Now Available for Nothing Phone (1) Users
Nothing has officially launched the Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1, bringing Android 15’s features to the Nothing Phone (1). Starting today, December 13, users can download the update and explore the exciting new changes. However, this is still a beta version, so users may encounter some bugs. Nothing encourages feedback to help refine the software and enhance the overall experience.
The update is 1.2 GB, and the installation took 20-25 minutes to complete. It includes the November 2024 Android security patch.
What’s New in Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 for Nothing Phone (1)
One of the standout features is Shared Widgets, a unique way to stay connected with loved ones. This feature allows users to display another person’s widgets on their home screen and interact through reactions. Currently, it supports only Nothing devices and Photo Widgets (square), but further updates are expected to expand its functionality.
The lock screen has also received significant upgrades. Users can now access a new customisation page by long-pressing the lock screen or through the settings menu. The update introduces redesigned clock faces and expands widget space, making the lock screen more personal and functional.
The Smart Drawer is another addition to Nothing OS 3.0, offering an AI-powered organisation system that automatically categorises apps into folders for easier access. Users can also pin their favourite apps to the top of the drawer, ensuring quick navigation without scrolling.
Quick Settings Panel have been refined with an optimised editing experience, making it easier to manage. The widget library and the Settings interface have been visually enhanced, particularly in sections like Network & Internet and Bluetooth. These changes aim to provide a cleaner and more user-friendly interface.
The camera experience has been improved as well. Users will notice faster camera launch speeds from the Camera Widget, reduced processing time for HDR scenes, and a smoother interface for countdown photos. Additionally, the zoom slider display has been refined for a more intuitive experience.
The pop-up view feature now supports easier resizing and movement, making multitasking cleaner and more productive. Users can pin pop-ups to the screen edge for quick access or view notifications directly in a pop-up window by swiping down, without leaving the current app.
Other enhancements include AI-powered app selection for quicker access to frequently used apps and an auto-archive function that frees up storage space without deleting data. Users can also enjoy partial screen sharing, allowing them to record or share only a specific app window instead of the entire screen. New animations for fingerprint and charging actions add a touch of Nothing’s signature dot matrix style.
How to Update
For users interested in trying the Open Beta, ensure that your device is running Nothing OS 2.6 with build number Spacewar-U2.6-241031-1818. Download the required APK, install it, and navigate to Settings > System > Update to Beta Version to check for the new version. If the update isn’t available yet, it may take some time to roll out.
As this is an early version, Nothing reminds users that bugs might occur, especially with features like Shared Widgets. Feedback can be submitted through Settings > System > Feedback, and users can join the discussion thread for community insights.
This Open Beta release reflects Nothing’s commitment to innovation and user experience. As the company works towards the final version, Nothing Phone (1) users can enjoy a sneak peek at what’s in store with Android 15.
Nothing has rolled out a new update for its Essential Space app (version 1.0.13), bringing some useful features and improvements for users.
One of the biggest highlights is the transcription feature, now available on the Nothing Phone (3). With this, users can get a complete transcription of their Flip to Record content, making it easier to keep track of recordings in written form.
The update also adds a Select All option within individual modules, giving users better control and convenience while managing their content.
Apart from new features, the update also focuses on improving the overall experience. It includes several bug fixes and stability enhancements to make the app run smoother and more reliable.
Nothing continues to improve Essential Space with regular updates, ensuring users get more value and a seamless experience on their devices.
Nothing has rolled out a new software update for the Nothing Phone (2a). The update is called Nothing OS 3.2 (September Update) and is now available to users. It comes with a download size of 158 MB and also includes the latest September 1, 2025 Android security patch.
One of the most notable changes in this update is the introduction of the Nothing Gallery app as the default photo viewer in the camera app. Users now get the option to choose between Nothing Gallery and Google Photos, but the company recommends using its own gallery for faster previews and smoother performance. This move highlights Nothing’s efforts to strengthen its in-house ecosystem.
The update also adds new features to widgets. Along with the Photo widget, users can now share the Pedometer widget (step counter) and the Screen Time widget with others. The update further enhances interaction by introducing a set of new nine stickers that can be used to react when sharing widgets, giving users more expressive options.
In terms of the camera, Nothing claims to have improved stability and performance. The camera app version has been upgraded, and users may notice slight differences in colors and sharpness, particularly in ultra-wide shots. These refinements are aimed at delivering a more reliable photography experience on the Phone (2a).
The update also addresses several system issues and optimizations. Stability for the pop-up view feature has been improved, and a bug that prevented PDF files from opening in cloned apps like WhatsApp and Telegram has been fixed. The Voice over NR (VoNR) icon has been redesigned for better clarity in the status bar. In addition, battery usage has been optimized when connecting smartwatches, especially with the CMF Watch 2 Pro.
Other improvements include fixes for font display issues in apps such as Instagram and Reddit when using the Inter font, along with general system performance and stability enhancements.
Overall, the Nothing OS 3.2 September Update brings useful new features, smoother performance, and important fixes. For Nothing Phone (2a) users, installing this update is highly recommended to get the best experience on their device.
I tested Nothing’s Essential Space on the Nothing Phone (3) and OnePlus Mind Space on the OnePlus 11. Both look similar on the surface, but the way they work feels very different. Let’s break it down.
Nothing Essential Space has a dedicated Essential Key button. Just double press, and the app opens instantly. From there, you can create summaries, reminders, or even voice notes. Everything is simple and fast.
OnePlus Mind Space works with a three-finger swipe gesture. It opens smoothly and also creates summaries and reminders, but you need to do more manual steps compared to Nothing.
The big win for Essential Space is that it syncs directly with Google Calendar. Add a reminder once, and it’s already there. You can even record voice notes or use the camera app to analyze photos and auto-generate descriptions.
Mind Space, on the other hand, shines with app-wise sorting. For example, it can organize summaries by WhatsApp, Chrome, or Twitter, which is quite useful. But adding reminders is manual, and sharing options are limited.
Nothing also adds cool exclusive features like Flip-to-Record, where you just flip the phone, hold the key, and it records with Glyph animations. Later, the AI auto-summarizes your entire meeting or talk into English text. Super handy!
Sharing is also easier on Nothing. You can export your notes as an image, PDF, or Markdown and send them anywhere. On OnePlus, you only get the delete option, which feels basic.
Overall, Nothing Essential Space feels more polished and feature-rich, while OnePlus Mind Space is still catching up. The app-wise sorting on OnePlus is neat, but Nothing’s extra features make it the better option for now.
Also did a video for this. You can give it a watch on YouTube:
Suryakant parida
December 20, 2024 at 4:09 pm
3.0 update