Nothing
Nothing OS 3.0 Android 15 Open Beta Released for Phone (2a)
Carl Pei’s tech company Nothing has announced the launch of its latest software update, Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 for its Nothing Phone (2a). The new update is based on Android 15, gives users a chance to try out new features and improvements before the official release planned for December 2024. It comes with many enhancements, including better customisation options, new widgets, and camera upgrades.
Nothing has announced in a community post that this Nothing OS 3.0 beta will also be available soon for other devices, such as the Phone (2), Phone (1), Phone (2a) Plus, and CMF Phone (1), which are expected to receive the update by the end of the year.
Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta Release Schedule
- Phone (2a): Available now
- Phone (2): November 2024
- Phone (1): December 2024
- Phone (2a) Plus: December 2024
- CMF Phone 1: December 2024
The update focuses heavily on customisation, especially for the home and lock screens. Users can now edit their lock screens by simply long-pressing the screen. The update also adds new clock faces, typefaces, and layouts to give users more options and personalise their devices.
One of the most standout features is the smart app drawer, powered by artificial intelligence (AI). This AI-powered tool arranges apps into categories based on how often they are used and lets users to pin their most-used apps to the top for quicker access.
The update also focuses on improving the camera experience and several improvements can be seen too. These include faster HDR processing reduced launch time through the camera widget better performance in low-light situations and a more user-friendly zoom slider. Multi-tasking is also smoother now with a feature that lets users move and resize pop-up windows which can be pinned to the screen’s edge for easy access.
Nothing has also redesigned the fingerprint animation sticking to its dot-matrix design. Another useful feature is the new auto-archiving tool, which helps free up storage space without deleting important data or apps.
Still, there are some missing features which we have seen earlier in the Nothing OS 3.0 announcement video such as Nothing Gallery app with AI features, new charging animation, shared widgets and private space. These all features will be added in upcoming updates.
How to participate in Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta – Phone (2a):
- Make sure you’ve installed NOS version 2.6 with the build number Pacman-U2.6-240828_1906.
- Download and install the provided APK from your downloads.
- Go to Settings > System > Update to Beta version.
- Tap “Check for new version” and follow the instructions to begin.
The update size is 1.4 GB and it will take 10-15 minutes for the installation as you transition from Android 14 to Android 15 by installing Nothing OS 3.0 open beta on your device.
Edited by: Akash Ramsakha
Nothing
Nothing Phone (3) Promises Long-Term Support with 5 Android Updates, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Announced
The Nothing Phone (3) is set to launch globally very soon, and the company has already started revealing key details about its new flagship. Recently, the company has confirmed that its processor will be the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. The Phone (3) will bring several improvements over the Phone (2), making it Nothing’s most advanced smartphone so far.
One of the biggest highlights is the software support. The Nothing Phone (3) will come with 5 years of Major Android updates and 7 years of security patches. This makes it the first Nothing device to offer such long-term support. In comparison, the Phone (2) provided 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security patches.
On the hardware side, the Phone (3) will be powered by the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 SoC, which is an upgrade over the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip found in the Phone (2). The company says users can expect 88% better GPU performance, 33% better CPU performance, and a 125% boost in NPU performance compared to the Phone (2). The new chipset is also expected to offer better battery optimisation.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Akis Evangelidis, co-founder and Head of Marketing at Nothing, called the Phone (3) “our first true flagship and a major step up from Phone (2).” He also shared that the camera is getting a major upgrade. The Phone (3) will feature a Spectra 18-bit Triple ISP, which can separate and enhance different parts of an image in real time. This will improve detail, colour accuracy, and overall image quality.
The Nothing Phone (3) will be officially launched on July 1, and more details about the device are expected to be announced at that time.
Nothing
Nothing OS 3.2 June Update Rolling Out for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, CMF Phone 1, and Nothing Phone (1)
Nothing has started rolling out the latest Nothing OS 3.2 June update for its Phone (2a) Plus, CMF Phone 1, and Nothing Phone (1). The update is based on Android 15 and brings new features, improvements, and bug fixes to enhance user experience.
New Features in the Update
One of the key highlights of this update is the introduction of Privacy Space. This feature lets users swipe right in the app drawer to quickly access a secure zone for private apps and files.
Users can also now set separate passwords for the App Locker and the new Privacy Space, adding an extra layer of security.
Another useful addition is the Hotspot Manager, which allows users to easily view and manage devices connected to their hotspot.
Improvements and Fixes
The update brings several fixes and improvements across the devices:
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Fixes for Bluetooth headphone sound issues during Telegram calls, better accessibility in apps, and improved face and fingerprint unlocking. It also includes the June security patch and improved system stability.
CMF Phone 1: Fixes for incorrect volume display on Bluetooth headphones, zoom bar issues in the camera app, better app accessibility, and improved unlocking reliability. The phone also gets the June security patch and stability improvements.
Nothing Phone (1): Fixes for the light strip display issue in Glyph Composer, an option to turn off face unlock vibration on the lock screen, and better app accessibility. General bug fixes, system stability improvements, and the June security patch are also included.
The Nothing OS 3.2 June update shows the company’s focus on improving security, accessibility, and overall device performance. If you own one of these devices, you can check for the update in your phone’s settings and enjoy the new features.
Smartphone startup Nothing is set to bring its next flagship device, the Nothing Phone (3), to the U.S. market. According to TechCrunch, the phone will be sold through Nothing’s official website and Amazon. The Phone (3) will be unveiled early next month at an event in London.
Nothing, founded in 2020, has launched eight phones so far. However, only the Phone (2) was widely available in the U.S. Previously, American customers had to join a beta program to buy a phone, and there was no after-sales support except for a 14-day return window.
Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing and co-founder of OnePlus, shared that this launch marks an important step for the company. “We have always said we are building for the long term, and now we’re ready to take that next step in the U.S. Phone (3) is not just another launch. It is a signal of where we are as a company,” Pei told TechCrunch. He added that the U.S. market is ready for something different as it is currently dominated by just two major brands.
Pei believes the Phone (3)’s unique design and features will appeal to customers looking for an alternative to Apple, Samsung, and Google. The new phone will support AT&T and T-Mobile networks with better 4G and 5G coverage than previous models like the Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, and CMF Phone 1.
In Canada, Nothing will partner with Best Buy to sell the Phone (3) along with its first over-ear headphones, the Nothing Headphone (1).
The Phone (3) is expected to feature premium materials, faster performance, and upgraded software. The price is likely to be around £800 in the U.K., or about $1,000 in the U.S., putting it in competition with the iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25+.
Research shows that Nothing’s 2024 shipments were in the low millions, with India being its biggest market.