News
Kea Essential Remapper Gets Power Button Support, New Actions and More
Kea Essential Remapper has received a major update for Nothing and CMF phone users. Version 1.1.0 brings several new features, including Power Button remapping, Lock Screen Overlay support, new actions, improved screen recording, and better compatibility.
Following the 1.1.0 release, Kea also received a smaller version 1.1.1 update with improvements to overlay placement, performance, and stability.
Kea 1.1.0: What’s New?
Version 1.1.0 adds several new features to make Kea more useful for Nothing and CMF phones.
Power Button Remapping
One of the biggest additions is support for the Power Button.
The Power Button now has its own independent mapping, allowing users to assign different actions to the Power Button and hardware keys.
For example, users can assign the Essential Key to open the flashlight while using a long press of the Power Button to open the Calculator.
This gives users more options to customize their phone’s physical buttons.
Lock Screen Overlay
Kea 1.1.0 also adds Lock Screen Overlay support.
The overlay allows users to see Kea’s visual feedback even when the phone is locked.
Users can also adjust the placement of the overlay to match the position of the button they are using.
New Actions
The update adds four new actions:
- Set a Timer
- Copy
- Paste
- Calculator
For example, users can assign Copy to a single press and Paste to a double press of the Essential Key.
The Set a Timer action can directly open the Google Clock app and take users to the timer screen.
Better Screen Recording
Kea’s screen recording feature has also received improvements.
The update fixes audio permission issues and adds support for recording device audio and microphone audio.
Users can also configure screen recording settings such as resolution and frame rate.
Adjustable Glow Effect
Kea now allows users to control the intensity of the overlay’s glow effect.
The glow can be adjusted based on the user’s preference, and the feature can also be enabled or disabled.
Improved Setup Experience
The setup process has been cleaned up in version 1.1.0.
Unnecessary options have been removed from the setup screen, leaving only the required system handlers. Detailed instructions have also been added to help users disable the Essential Key’s default action.
Kea also improves theme handling, including better support for light and dark modes during the setup process.
Compatibility Fixes
Version 1.1.0 also includes compatibility improvements for the CMF Phone 2 Pro and Nothing Phone (3a) Lite.
These fixes address issues that some users faced while setting up and using the Essential Key.
Performance Improvements
The update also includes UI improvements, smoother animations, and performance optimizations.
Kea has also been updated to target API level 37 (Android 17) for Google Play compliance.
Kea 1.1.1: Follow-Up Update
After releasing version 1.1.0, Kea received another update, version 1.1.1, focused mainly on improving the experience and fixing issues found after the initial release.
Independent Overlay Placement
Version 1.1.1 adds Independent Placement for the visual overlay.
Users can now position and fine-tune the on-screen overlay separately for Hardware Keys and the Power Button.
This is particularly useful when the two buttons are located in different areas of the phone.
Performance and Stability Improvements
The latest update also improves performance and stability.
Kea has refined its stock handler discovery for the CMF Phone 2 Pro and Nothing Phone (3a) Lite. The update also includes general fixes for Nothing OS.
These changes should make the setup and button-remapping experience more reliable on supported devices.
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Nothing has started rolling out the stable Nothing OS 5.0 update for the Nothing Phone (3). The new update is based on Android 17 and brings a refreshed user interface, new customisation options, improved widgets, camera enhancements, and several system improvements.
The stable update is now rolling out to Phone (3) users who participated in the Open Beta programme. For beta users, the update size is 1.68 GB. The rollout is happening in phases, so it may take some time to reach every device.
Nothing OS 5.0 Update Details
- Device: Nothing Phone (3)
- Software version: Nothing OS 5.0
- Android version: Android 17
- Update size: 1.68 GB for beta users
- Update type: Stable update
New Translucent Theme Brings a Fresh Look
One of the biggest highlights of Nothing OS 5.0 is the new Translucent Theme. It brings a frosted-glass look to the Launcher, giving the interface a fresh and modern appearance.
The theme also uses subtle accent colours inspired by the current wallpaper. Users can enable it by going to Settings > Customisation > Theme & Style > Translucent.
Nothing has also refined the status bar icons, updated the Settings interface, and introduced the new Geist typeface. These changes make the overall interface look more consistent.
Two New Lock Screen Clock Styles
Nothing OS 5.0 brings two new clock faces to the lock screen: Gooey and Micrographics. While Gooey was already available in the Open Beta, the stable update introduces Micrographics as another option for users.
Gooey offers a bold and playful look with fluid shapes, giving the lock screen a unique appearance.
Micrographics takes inspiration from the graphic design of Nothing’s hardware. It brings the date, time, weather, and upcoming meetings together in one glanceable view, making it easier to check important information directly from the lock screen.
Users can also customise the clock colour to match their preferred style. Along with these new clock faces, Nothing OS 5.0 updates the wallpaper gallery and improves the overall customisation experience.
New Glyph App and Separate Quick Settings
The update introduces a dedicated Glyph app that makes it easier to access and manage Glyph Interface settings.
Another major change is the option to separate Quick Settings and Notifications into different panels. Users can enable this option through the system settings.
Nothing OS 5.0 also allows users to arrange multiple home screen app icons in bulk, making it easier to organise the home screen without moving every icon individually. A new three-colour status bar indicator also helps users identify sensitive access, location, and AI processing activity.
New Widgets and Camera Improvements
Nothing OS 5.0 brings several new widgets, including Collector widgets that let users decorate their home screens with photos. The Away Time widget helps users track time spent away from their phones, while Glyph Timer adds another useful option to the widget drawer.
The Camera app also receives multiple improvements. Users get a new Tuning feature with seven adjustable effects, improved Presets editing, and a new 2×2 Presets widget.
Video recording has also been enhanced with Filters and Tuning support, Dual-view Video, and H.265 encoding. Nothing has also improved several camera functions, including zoom, close-up shooting, QR scanning, Google Lens, and Motion Photo playback.
Other Improvements in Nothing OS 5.0
Apart from the visual changes, the update includes several useful system improvements:
- Expanded Dark Theme support for more apps.
- Adjustable HDR brightness intensity.
- Faster Essential Voice transcription.
- Improved lock screen shortcut interactions.
- One-tap Bluetooth connection and disconnection from Quick Settings.
- Improved Live Updates.
- Noto 3D Emoji support in Gboard.
- Better transition animations and interface refinements.
These additions aim to improve the everyday experience of using the Nothing Phone (3).
How to Download Nothing OS 5.0 Stable Update
Nothing Phone (3) users can manually check for the update by following these steps:
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Go to System.
- Tap System Update.
- Check for the latest update and download it if available.
- Install the update and restart your phone if required.
Since the update is rolling out in phases, it may not be available to everyone immediately. .
Final Words
Nothing OS 5.0 is a major update for the Nothing Phone (3), bringing Android 17 along with a new Translucent Theme, fresh lock screen clocks, new widgets, Glyph improvements, and camera enhancements.
The new design and clock styles are among the most noticeable changes, while the additional system features make the update more useful for everyday users. If you own a Nothing Phone (3), check your phone’s system settings to see whether the stable update is available.
What do you think about the new Translucent Theme in Nothing OS 5.0? Let us know in the comments.
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Nothing has started rolling out new Nothing OS 4.1 software updates for six smartphones across its Nothing and CMF lineups. The updates focus on system stability, bug fixes, Bluetooth transfer improvements, and the latest security patches.
The rollout covers the Nothing Phone (3a), Phone (3a) Pro, Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, CMF Phone 2 Pro, and CMF Phone 1. While some devices are receiving improvements to Bluetooth connectivity, others are getting fixes for notification-related crashes.
Nothing OS 4.1 Update: Supported Devices and Update Sizes
Here is the complete list of devices receiving the updates, along with their respective download sizes.
| Smartphone | Update size | Security patch |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone (3a) | 87.91 MB | September 2026 |
| Nothing Phone (3a) Pro | 87.91 MB | September 2026 |
| Nothing Phone (2a) | 71.17 MB | October 2026 |
| Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | 71.17 MB | October 2026 |
| CMF Phone 2 Pro | 69.33 MB | October 2026 |
| CMF Phone 1 | 67.67 MB | October 2026 |
Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro Get Nothing OS 4.1 Update
The Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro are receiving a new Nothing OS 4.1 update weighing 87.91 MB.
According to the update changelog, the latest firmware focuses on improving overall system stability and includes the September 2026 Android security patch.
Changelog:
- Enhanced overall system stability.
- Updated to the September 2026 security patch.
Nothing Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus Receive October Update
The Nothing Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus are receiving a 71.17 MB Nothing OS 4.1 update with bug fixes and security improvements.
One of the key changes addresses an issue where notifications from third-party applications could unexpectedly crash in certain scenarios. The update also enhances overall system stability and includes the October 2026 security patch.
Changelog:
- Fixed an issue where third-party notifications could crash unexpectedly in certain scenarios.
- Enhanced overall system stability.
- Updated to the October 2026 security patch.
CMF Phone 2 Pro Gets Nothing OS 4.1 Update
The CMF Phone 2 Pro is receiving a 69.33 MB software update. The latest firmware brings improvements to Bluetooth transfer reliability and overall system stability.
The update also includes the October 2026 security patch.
Changelog:
- Enhanced Bluetooth transfer stability and performance.
- Enhanced overall system stability.
- Updated to the October 2026 security patch.
CMF Phone 1 Receives Nothing OS 4.1 October Update
The CMF Phone 1 is also receiving a new Nothing OS 4.1 update, with a download size of 67.67 MB.
Similar to the CMF Phone 2 Pro update, this release improves Bluetooth transfer stability and performance, alongside general system stability improvements and the October 2026 security patch.
Changelog:
- Enhanced Bluetooth transfer stability and performance.
- Enhanced overall system stability.
- Updated to the October 2026 security patch.
How to Download the Latest Nothing OS 4.1 Update
Users can manually check for the latest software update on their smartphones by following these steps:
- Open Settings on your Nothing or CMF phone.
- Navigate to System and open System Update. The exact menu path may vary by software version.
- Check for available updates.
- If the update is available, tap Download and install.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
As with other OTA software releases, availability may vary by device and rollout region. If the update has not appeared on your phone yet, check again later.
Final Thoughts
The latest Nothing OS 4.1 updates bring incremental but useful improvements across six Nothing and CMF smartphones. The Phone (2a) series receives a fix for third-party notification crashes, while the CMF Phone 1 and CMF Phone 2 Pro benefit from improved Bluetooth transfer stability.
It is worth noting that the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro update screens list the September 2026 security patch, whereas the other four devices list the October 2026 patch. Users should check their individual device’s update changelog to confirm which security patch is included.
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News
CMF by Nothing Announces Its First Portable Speakers, CMF Speaker S and Speaker M, Launching on October 12
CMF by Nothing is preparing to enter the portable speaker market with its first speaker lineup. The brand has announced the CMF Speaker S and CMF Speaker M, which are scheduled to launch on October 12, 2026.
The announcement marks a new product category for CMF, which already offers smartphones, earbuds, headphones, smartwatches and accessories. The company teased the upcoming speakers on its official social media channels, revealing their names and launch date.
CMF Speaker S and Speaker M: What We Know So Far
CMF has shared a teaser featuring the upcoming speakers, but the company has yet to officially reveal their complete specifications, pricing and availability details.
The product names suggest that the lineup will include two models: the Speaker S and the Speaker M. Their designs appear to follow CMF’s distinctive approach, with bold styling and physical controls.
According to early images and reports, the speakers feature a box-like design with a built-in carrying handle and an orange control knob. The larger Speaker M has also appeared in leaked retail listings with two speaker grilles, while the smaller Speaker S features a single prominent grille.
These design details and reported specifications remain subject to confirmation at launch.
Launch Date and Availability
CMF by Nothing has confirmed that the Speaker S and Speaker M will launch on October 12, 2026. The company is expected to reveal their full specifications, features and pricing at the official launch.
Details regarding availability and pricing in India have not yet been officially confirmed.
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