Nothing
Nothing Phone (2) Receives Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1
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The Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 is now available for users of the Nothing Phone (2). This latest software release by Nothing brings a range of new features and improvements, allowing users to experience Android 15’s capabilities firsthand.
This announcement was made through Nothing’s community forum, which also revealed that Nothing Phone (1), Phone (2a) Plus, and CMF Phone 1 will receive the Android 15-based update next month. Here’s everything you need to know about the new beta version, including its features, installation instructions, and potential issues.
What’s New in Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1?
The Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 introduces several exciting features aimed at enhancing user experience, including:
1. Shared Widgets
- Users can now connect with friends and family through shared widgets. This feature allows others’ widgets to appear on your home screen, letting you stay connected and react to each other’s updates right from your device.
2. Enhanced Lock Screen Customization
- The lock screen has been upgraded with a new customization page, accessible by long-pressing on the screen. Users can select from updated clock styles and enjoy expanded widget space, making it easier to display more information right from the lock screen.
3. AI-Powered Smart Drawer
- The AI-driven Smart Drawer can now automatically organize apps into folders based on category. Additionally, users can pin their favorite apps at the top of the drawer for faster access.
4. Quick Settings and Visual Updates
- The Quick Settings menu has a refreshed design with an easier editing process. The Settings app also features an improved widget library, along with visual updates in sections like Network & Internet and Bluetooth.
5. Camera Improvements
- The camera experience is enhanced with faster launch speeds, reduced HDR processing times, and optimized portrait effects. Low-light performance is improved, and the zoom slider now has a more user-friendly display.
6. Enhanced Pop-Up View for Multitasking
- Users can now move and resize the pop-up view for easier multitasking. This feature allows notifications to be viewed without leaving the current app, providing a cleaner and more efficient experience.
7. Additional Improvements
- Other notable updates include a new auto-archive function to free up storage space, partial screen sharing for improved privacy, and updates to the fingerprint and charging animations with the signature Nothing dot-matrix styling.
How to Install the Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 on Nothing Phone (2)
To get the new beta version, follow these steps:
- Pre-requisite: Ensure your Nothing Phone (2) is updated to Nothing OS version 2.6, with build number Pong-U2.6-241016-1700.
- Download the APK: Update to Beta Version APK
- Install the APK: Open the downloaded file and install it.
- Start the Update:
- Go to Settings > System > Update to Beta Version.
- Tap on “Check for new version” and follow the prompts.
Important Note: This is a beta version, meaning it may contain bugs that could affect the device’s performance or user experience. It’s recommended to back up your data before installing, as a factory reset may be required.
Expected Timeline for Stable Release
Nothing has not specified an official date for the stable release of Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.0. However, with continued testing and feedback from beta users, the final stable version is expected by December 2024.
Future Updates for Other Nothing Devices
In addition to the Phone (2), Nothing has confirmed that other devices, including the Phone (1), Phone (2a) Plus, and CMF Phone 1, will receive the Android 15-based beta update in December 2024.
The Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta 1 offers a substantial set of upgrades for Nothing Phone (2) users eager to experience new Android features. From enhanced widgets and an AI-powered Smart Drawer to improved camera functionality, this update brings both usability and aesthetic improvements. However, as with all beta software, users should be cautious of potential bugs and back up their data before installation.
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Nothing has announced special pricing and promotional offers for the Nothing Phone (4a), Phone (4a) Pro and Phone (4b) as part of the Flipkart Big Billion Days sale. The offers include price drops, bank discounts, coupons and exchange bonuses on selected variants.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the offers.
Nothing Phone (4a) Offers
The Nothing Phone (4a) gets a ₹3,000 price drop on the 6GB + 128GB variant. With the applicable bank offer, coupon and exchange benefits, the effective price comes down to ₹32,999.
| Variant | Offer Price |
|---|---|
| 6GB + 128GB | ₹32,999* |
| 8GB + 128GB | ₹40,999 |
| 8GB + 256GB | ₹45,999 |
| 12GB + 256GB | ₹46,999 |
The 8GB + 128GB variant gets a ₹4,000 bank offer, while the higher-storage variants are also eligible for a ₹4,000 bank offer.
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro Offers
The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is available with a ₹4,500 bank offer along with a ₹500 exchange bonus on the listed variants.
| Variant | Effective Price |
|---|---|
| 8GB + 128GB | ₹49,999 |
| 8GB + 256GB | ₹52,999 |
| 12GB + 256GB | ₹54,999 |
The 8GB + 128GB model brings the effective price down to ₹49,999 after the applicable offers.
Nothing Phone (4b) Offers
The Nothing Phone (4b) gets a ₹4,000 price drop on the 6GB + 128GB variant. With the applicable bank offer, coupon and exchange benefits, the effective price is listed at ₹27,999.
| Variant | Effective Price |
|---|---|
| 6GB + 128GB | ₹27,999* |
| 8GB + 128GB | ₹35,999 |
| 8GB + 256GB | ₹36,999 |
The 8GB variants receive a ₹3,500 bank offer along with a ₹500 exchange bonus.
Nothing BBD Offers at a Glance
The headline effective prices for the three phones are:
- Nothing Phone (4b): ₹27,999
- Nothing Phone (4a): ₹32,999
- Nothing Phone (4a) Pro: ₹49,999
The final price for the base variants depends on the applicable combination of bank offers, coupons and exchange bonuses. Buyers should check the offer terms on Flipkart before placing an order.
Nothing Phone BBD Pricing Table
| Model | Base Variant | Effective Price* |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (4b) | 6GB + 128GB | ₹27,999 |
| Phone (4a) | 6GB + 128GB | ₹32,999 |
| Phone (4a) Pro | 8GB + 128GB | ₹49,999 |
*Effective prices for the base variants reflect the combined applicable bank offers, coupons and exchange bonuses.
These offers make the upcoming Flipkart Big Billion Days sale particularly relevant for buyers looking at Nothing’s latest smartphone lineup.
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Kea: Button Remapper has received a major update that brings a new Floating App Sidebar, Action Combos, more customization options and several new features for Android users.
The update also brings a redesigned user interface with improved animations, blur effects and a cleaner overall look. While Kea remains available as a free app, some of the new features are available through the paid Kea Pro version.
Floating App Sidebar
One of the main additions in the update is the new Floating App Sidebar. It allows users to pin their favorite apps and actions and quickly access them from anywhere on the phone.
Users can add apps such as YouTube, Instagram, Gmail, games, and more, as well as actions, to the sidebar. The sidebar also supports customization for its position, number of rows and columns, background, icon style, and accent color.
The background can be changed between transparent, translucent and solid styles. Users can also choose different icon styles and customize the sidebar’s color using the available color options and color wheel.
Action Lab Combos
Another new feature is Action Lab Combos. It allows users to perform multiple actions with a single button press.
For example, users can create a shortcut that mutes media volume and enables Do Not Disturb at the same time. This can be useful during meetings when multiple settings need to be changed quickly.
Users can also create their own custom combos by selecting multiple actions and arranging them into a sequence.
Voice and Call Recording
Kea Pro also adds shortcuts for voice recording and call recording using the Nothing Recorder widget.
After setting up the required Recorder widget, users can assign a button press to start or stop recording. Saved recordings can then be accessed through the Nothing Recorder app.
More Customization
The update brings several new options for Kea’s visual overlays. Users can choose different styles, including Dark, Frosted and Smoke themes.
There are also different animation effects, while the position of the overlay can be adjusted for different hardware keys. Kea Pro users can further customize the accent color and use a color wheel for more control over the appearance.
More Features for Nothing Phones
Kea Pro also includes several features designed for Nothing Phone users. These include Glyph Torch and Glyph Timer shortcuts.
Users can assign these features to different button gestures. The app also supports shortcuts such as Circle to Search, QR code scanning and additional hardware button actions.
The app also supports volume button mapping and power button customization, giving users more ways to control different actions using physical buttons.
Free Version Still Available
Kea: Button Remapper continues to offer a free version with more than 30 actions and support for four different button gestures. The free version also includes features such as visual overlays, lock screen controls and a Quick Settings tile.
The Floating App Sidebar, Action Combos, volume button mapping, voice and call recording, Glyph shortcuts and other additional features are available with Kea Pro.
Kea Pro is offered as a one-time lifetime purchase, giving users permanent access to the Pro features after purchasing it.
Here is the app link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.techiboystudios.kea
The latest update also significantly refreshes the Kea interface. TechiBoy Studios will bring more features that are planned for future updates, so the list of available features is expected to grow over time.
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Nothing has started rolling out the Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta based on Android 17 for the Nothing Phone (4a). The update brings a major visual refresh along with new Glyph features, customization options, camera improvements, and several system-level enhancements.
The update is rolling out with a download size of approximately 2.77GB.
Nothing OS 5.0 Open Beta: What’s New?
New Glyph App
Nothing has introduced a dedicated Glyph app, providing a central place to explore and interact with Glyph-related features.
Redesigned Quick Settings and Notifications
Nothing OS 5.0 introduces a new separation between Quick Settings and notifications, making the two areas more distinct.
The update also adds a new three-colour status bar indicator for improved activity visibility.
Home Screen and Lock Screen Improvements
The update brings several new customization options, including:
- Bulk home-screen icon arrangement
- Lock screen clock colour customization
- New lock screen clock face
- Improved lock screen shortcuts
- New wallpaper style
- Depth wallpaper improvements, including pinch-to-shrink functionality
New Glyph Widgets
Nothing is also expanding its Glyph widget lineup with:
- Collector
- Away Time
- Glyph Timer
These widgets add new ways to interact with Nothing’s Glyph ecosystem directly from the home screen.
Camera Improvements
Nothing OS 5.0 also includes several camera-related improvements. These cover dual video recording, zoom, close-up photography, QR scanning, Google Lens and Motion Photos, along with a refreshed Camera UI.
Visual and System Changes
The update brings a number of broader UI changes, including:
- Expanded Dark Theme
- Enhanced HDR brightness
- Refreshed Settings UI
- Geist typeface
- Improved system animations
- Improved Live Updates
- Noto 3D Emoji support in Gboard
- Torch brightness control from quick settings
- Stopwatch timer at status bar
Connectivity Improvements
Nothing has also added one-tap Bluetooth connect/disconnect controls, making it easier to manage Bluetooth devices.