Nothing
Nothing OS 3.0: New Lock Screen, Quick Settings Panel, Release Date, and More
Nothing OS has evolved from just any other Android UI to one of the most unique and feature-rich interfaces currently found in the smartphone space. Backed by the runaway success of Nothing OS 2.5 in 2023, there has been much anticipation for Nothing OS 3.0, due later this year.
Nothing OS 3.0 Release Date and Expectations
Nothing OS 2.5 was released in December, which means two months after the stable rollout of Android 14. With Google launching Android 15 with its Pixel 9 series this August, expectations are that Nothing OS 3.0 will follow this October if the previous schedule holds.
In May, Nothing released the Android 15 Developer Preview Beta 1 for the Phone (2) and (2a). Very soon, the updates for the next beta version will be known. Nothing is notorious for their really fast adoption of new Android updates; however, with such massive UI changes and additions of many features, testing periods could get longer.
Device Compatibility
All the Nothing devices launched till now are eligible for three years of major updates, except the CMF Phone 1 that will have two. Essentially, this means all existing Nothing phones will get Nothing OS 3.0 support. Here’s the update list:
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Nothing Phone (2a)
- Nothing Phone (2)
- Nothing Phone (1)
- CMF Phone 1
Nothing Phone (2a) and (2a) Plus are the newest devices; it is going to reach them first, probably in the September or October month, before reaching other models.
Nothing OS 3.0 Expected Features
1. New Lock Screen Customization:
New clock styles and customizations for widgets are coming. The users can now make the clock face small to see more notifications. This update features mid-aligned clocks with various design elements, somewhat similar to how Apple does its lock screen.
2. Revamped Quick Settings Panel
Nothing OS 3.0 will pack a long-delayed refresh to the Quick Settings panel that’s finally coming. In this new design, tiles would appear smaller and more discreet, turning red when toggled on, further improving the look of the interface and sticking way closer to Nothing’s aesthetic language.
3. Interactive Dot Animations:
Not much information is available about the above-mentioned animations, but they can be used to add a bit of life and interaction to app icons and widgets. For instance, a widget that adjusts the screen brightness could implement some sort of animation that will demonstrate, in an eye-pleasing way, precisely by how much the brightness has changed.
4. Community and Gallery Apps:
Nothing is building standalone apps for its community and gallery and move away from purely Web-based interfaces to far more unified mobile experiences.
5. Private Space:
Another massive feature of Android 15 that might make its way onto Nothing OS 3.0 is Private Space. This feature enables the hiding of apps, locking, and even cloning of apps for better privacy and convenience. Carl Pei also asked about these features being added to Nothing OS for its followers on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Nothing also recently announced the Android 15 closed beta program for Nothing Phone (2a). It will be based on Nothing OS 3.0 with new features and improvements. What are some of the features you’d like to see in the UI? Let us know in the comments.
Nothing has released a new update (v1.0.12) for its Essential Space app, bringing two exciting sharing features to select Nothing phones. The update is currently available via the Play Store for Nothing Phone 3A, 3A Pro, and CMF Phone 2 Pro.
What’s New in the Update?
The update (around 94MB in size) focuses mainly on improving sharing options within the app:
- Audio Recording Sharing Enabled
Users can now record audio using the “Flip to Record” feature and directly share those recordings with others. Previously, Essential Space only supported sharing images, PDFs, and Markdown files. The new update now supports audio file sharing in AAC format. - Image Capture with Smart Text Summary
Users can capture images using the Essential key in the camera app, and the app uses AI to summarize what’s in the image. For example, if a photo includes a Nothing phone and white earbuds, the app automatically generates a description. This summarized image can then be shared along with the AI-generated text.
UI & Functionality
While the user interface hasn’t seen major changes, the new features add a practical edge to the app. The shared content even includes Nothing branding and a “Your Second Memory” tag, enhancing the brand’s unique style.
Supported Devices
These features are currently live on:
- Nothing Phone 3A
- Nothing Phone 3A Pro
- CMF Phone 2 Pro
- Nothing Phone 3
Make sure your Essential Space app is updated to version 1.0.12 to access these features.
The popular third-party dialer app N Dial, inspired by the clean design of Nothing OS, has received a major update called the Nimbus Update. This update brings a completely new user interface, smoother animations, and several practical improvements that enhance the overall calling experience on Android smartphones.
One of the biggest highlights of the update is the redesigned interface for Recents, Dialpad, Contacts, Favorites, and Contact Cards. Everything now looks more modern and minimal, matching the style seen on Nothing Phones. A new light theme called Nimbus has also been added, giving users a clean and bright look. Additionally, the navigation bar has been improved for better usability.
The app now includes haptic feedback when scrolling through contacts or using the dialpad, giving a more responsive feel. Users can also view and delete individual call entries for each contact, making call history management more flexible. Contact photos are now supported, and a new Albums View has been added in the Favorites section, alongside the classic grid layout.
To improve performance, N Dial now allows users to set a limit on call logs. Incoming calls no longer appear as pop-ups but are shown in the notification panel, providing a less distracting experience. The update also introduces features like quick notes during ongoing calls and external links for additional functionality.
In terms of technical improvements, the app’s animations are smoother, and overall performance has been boosted. Important bugs have been fixed, including issues with the proximity sensor and Bluetooth connections with smartwatches. The quality of contact images has also been enhanced.
N Dial is available for all Android smartphones, not just Nothing devices. It aims to provide a smooth, beautiful, and easy-to-use calling experience. Users can download the updated version from the Google Play Store, making sure the version name includes “Nimbus.”
Overall, the Nimbus Update brings major upgrades to N Dial, both in looks and performance. If you’re looking for a dialer that feels modern, simple, and closer to the Nothing Phone experience, this is a great option to try.
The Nothing Phone (3) was launched about a month ago with a starting price of around Rs 80,000. But recently, people have noticed listings on Amazon showing the phone for as low as Rs 56,500. This huge price drop of almost Rs 24,000 is raising questions—is this offer real or a scam?
Currently, Nothing has not officially announced any price drop. However, they are running bank offers on Flipkart, which can reduce the price by up to Rs 10,000. Even with these offers, the phone still sells for around Rs 70,000.
So, where did this Rs 56,500 price come from?
When you search for the Nothing Phone (3) on Amazon, you will see some listings showing the 12GB + 256GB variant at Rs 56,500. But if you look closely, these phones are not sold directly by Amazon or by Nothing, but by third-party sellers like “BeautyVerse” and “Jai Ram Wholesale”.
Although Amazon will ship the product, the sellers are unknown and could be selling used, open-box, or even fake units. In fact, Nothing does not sell any of its products officially on Amazon India. Their official partners are Flipkart, Croma, Vijay Sales, and select offline stores.
If you’re planning to buy the Nothing Phone (3), it’s better to wait for the Big Billion Days sale, where you might get an official price drop. Right now, you can get the phone for about Rs 70,000 with card discounts, or even lower if you exchange your old phone. For example, if you exchange a Nothing Phone (2) in flawless condition, you could get the Phone (3) for as low as Rs 45,000.
Final Advice:
Do not trust listings on Amazon for Nothing phones. These are not official and may be risky. Always buy from trusted and official sellers to avoid scams or fake products.