Nothing
Nothing OS 3.0 Beta Release Schedule Explained: Timing and Device Details
Nothing company has recently clarified the staggered release schedule for the highly anticipated Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta based on Android 15, which has left some users thinking about the timing and sequence. The update schedule reveals that Nothing Phone (2) will receive the beta in November, while Phone (1), Phone (2a) Plus, and CMF Phone 1 are set for December.
As a developing player in the smartphone market and the only new company to successfully launch phones in the past decade, Nothing Phone operates with a smaller, yet ambitious team. This scale necessitates making strategic decisions about deployment to maintain the high quality and pace of development their users expect.
Staggering releases allows Nothing to gather essential user feedback, which is integral to refining and optimizing the OS across different devices. This approach is not unique to Nothing, as it is a method even established manufacturers like Samsung employ to ensure quality and responsiveness to user input.
Why Start with Nothing Phone (2a)?
Contrary to expectations, Phone (2a) was chosen over the flagship Phone (2) to first receive the OS 3.0 beta. This decision was driven by the desire to maximize feedback quickly from one of their best-selling models. The insights gained from Phone (2a) users will be crucial in adjusting the beta for subsequent releases to other models.
The process is also influenced by Nothing’s reliance on chipset partners for Android updates, which are first passed through Google to the chipset manufacturers. MediaTek, in particular, plays a crucial role in optimizing these updates for their processors before Nothing can implement them. Opting to initiate the beta with devices powered by MediaTek allows Nothing to expedite the feedback process without waiting for optimizations on other devices.
Looking Ahead
While the staggered rollout might mean some users have to wait a little longer, Nothing is focused on scaling its capabilities and refining its processes to better serve its customer base in the future. They are committed to listening to user feedback and continuously improving the update process.
In a positive turn, Nothing is pleased to announce that the final release of Nothing OS 3.0 will be simultaneously available on Phone (2) and Phone (2a), marking a significant update for these devices.
This strategy underscores Nothing’s user-centric approach, ensuring that the final public release of Nothing OS 3.0 is robust, efficient, and enriched with user feedback, aiming for a launch by the end of the year.
Nothing has released a big new update for its Essential Space feature. This update brings powerful tools that make the AI interface more useful, personal, and easy to control.
What is Essential Space?
Essential Space is a smart feature that was first launched with the Nothing Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. It helps users collect, manage, and remember information better by using AI tools. It is accessed by separate button called Essential Key.
What’s New in This Update?
- Google Calendar Integration:
Now, your tasks and events created by AI in Essential Space will automatically appear in your Google Calendar. This makes it easier to stay on top of your schedule.- Editable Memory:
You can now edit the tasks and summaries made by the AI. If the AI makes a mistake — like the wrong meeting time — you can fix it yourself.
- Essential Recorder (Now Editable):
Record meetings, interviews, or conversations, and get AI-made summaries and transcripts. A new “Flip-to-Record” feature lets you start recording just by placing your phone face down — a simple and private way to capture audio.
- Essential Recorder (Now Shareable):
You can now share your recordings as images, PDFs, or Markdown files with just one tap.
Availability
These new Essential Recorder features are already available on the Nothing Phone (3). They will soon come to the Phone (3a), Phone (3a) Pro, and CMF Phone 2 Pro.
Please note:
The Flip-to-Record feature will only work on the Phone (3).
The Essential Space update will be delivered automatically through the Google Play Store.
Nothing has started rolling out the first official software update for the newly launched Nothing Phone (3). This update does not bring a new OS version, as it remains on Nothing OS 3.5, but the build number has changed to Metroid-V3.5-250711-2047-IND. The update size is 257 MB and includes several new features, improvements, and bug fixes that enhance the overall experience.
One of the key improvements is to the Glyph Interface. A new Caller ID feature has been added, allowing users to long-press the Glyph button during a call to display the contact’s name or phone number. The Essential Notification system now supports selecting either built-in or custom icons. Users will also get access to generative ringtones that include Glyph Matrix lighting effects and randomly generated vibrations. In addition, the visual effects of the Glyph interface have been improved, the stability of Glyph Toys has been enhanced, and the Glyph button is now more responsive to avoid accidental touches.
The Essential Space feature has also been upgraded. It now supports “Flip to Record,” which lets users flip the phone face down and long-press the Essential Key to instantly start taking meeting notes. These notes are automatically saved in a to-do list format, making it easier to organize tasks.
The camera system has received some significant updates as well. Core imaging enhancements have been made to improve HDR, Night Mode, and Snapshot scenes for both front and rear cameras. These changes result in better brightness control and cleaner images. HDR video processing has also been improved, offering more natural brightness and better display performance. The UltraXDR Display has been upgraded too, ensuring smoother transitions between highlights and shadows.
There are many other system improvements included in this update. The performance of a popular battle royale game has been boosted to support 120 FPS, and Wi-Fi latency has been reduced during gaming for a better experience. Private Space now allows users to switch the default Gallery app, and pocket mode has been improved to prevent accidental touches. The audio experience has also been refined by fixing noise issues that occurred while toggling spatial audio during music playback.
The update also addresses slow or inconsistent charging problems and fixes an abnormal battery level display after charging. Lastly, overall system performance and power consumption have been optimized to ensure a more stable and efficient experience.
Earlier, users of Nothing Phones were able to activate the Essential Search Bar by updating the Nothing Launcher to the latest version. While it brought some improvements, a few features were still missing — especially the useful AI Search option.
Actually, it’s from the Nothing Phone (3), which is running the latest Nothing OS 3.5 update and already has all the Essential Search features fully functional.
This new Essential AI Search (Universal Search) allows users to search for anything directly from the home screen or app drawer — no need to open Google Chrome. It shows relevant results, including images, and sometimes gives quick answers in paragraph form. However, in some cases, it may not show images.
Now, older Nothing Phones can also get this feature! We have extracted the APK (installation file) from the new Nothing Phone (3), and it works smoothly on older devices too.
Important:
Before installing the APK, make sure your phone already has Nothing Launcher version 3.3.4 or later.
Essential Search – Download
This small tweak brings the latest smart search experience to older Nothing devices without needing to wait for an official update.