Nothing
Nothing Releases Stable Nothing OS 4.0 Update for All Supported Phones
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Nothing has officially started rolling out the Nothing OS 4.0 stable update, which is based on Android 16, to all its latest smartphones. The update is now available for the Nothing Phone (2), Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro. These devices are receiving almost the same set of features, with only a few minor differences depending on the model.
Update Size and How to Download
The update size varies between devices. For the Nothing Phone (2), the update size is around 3.26 GB, while the Phone (2a) (I was already on Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta) receive an update of about 1.40 GB. As always, Nothing does not send notifications for updates, so users must manually check by going to Settings → System → System Update and tapping on “Check for Update.” The update may take some time to install depending on internet speed and device state.
Updated Welcome Screen After Installation
Once the update is installed, the phone shows a new welcome screen that explains the main changes. This screen highlights support for Essential Apps, the new preset system, updated clock styles, redesigned status bar icons, Extra Dark Mode, and other Android 16 additions. The overall layout feels cleaner and more refined than before.
New Hidden App Icon Feature
One of the most important additions in Nothing OS 4.0 is the ability to hide app icons directly from the home screen or the app drawer. Users can simply long-press an app and choose the “Hide Icon” option. Once hidden, the app moves into a protected folder that can only be opened after verifying the user’s identity. This makes privacy easier and faster compared to using Private Space.
Improved Search Customization
Universal Search has been improved and can now be customized according to user preferences. Users can decide if results from Contacts, Messages, Calendar, Files, or Gallery should show up when they search for something. This makes search results cleaner and more relevant.
More Widget Options for Home and Lock Screen
Nothing has added several new widget sizes to make the home screen more customizable. Weather, Pedometer, and Screen Time widgets now support multiple size formats. These widgets can also be placed on the lock screen, giving users better access to information without unlocking the phone.
Better and Smarter Quick Settings Panel
The Quick Settings panel now includes several quality improvements. The Bluetooth tile shows connected devices in a swipeable list, while the Wi-Fi tile now includes a Share option that makes sharing network details easier. Many quick toggles can now expand into a larger 2×2 layout. Pop-up view supports two floating apps at once, making multitasking better. In addition, Nothing has added subtle haptic feedback to the volume slider and quick settings actions, making the interface feel more responsive.
Visual Improvements Across the System
Nothing OS 4.0 brings fresh visual changes throughout the interface. Wi-Fi, network, and battery icons in the status bar have been redesigned. Nothing’s own apps, including Weather, Recorder, Camera, and Gallery, now have updated icons. The new Extra Dark Mode gives deeper blacks in menus and system apps, offering a cleaner look and reducing eye strain for users who prefer using their phone in dark environments.
Lock Glance Comes to More Devices
The Lock Glance feature, which shows small informative cards on the lock screen, is now available on the Phone (2a), Phone (2a) Plus, Phone (3a), and Phone (3a) Pro. It displays rotating wallpaper cards with quick information. However, Nothing has recommended leaving it off because it may sometimes show ads or unnecessary content. Still, the option is available for those who want to try it.
Upgraded Glyph Interface
The Glyph Interface has been improved in this update. The Flip to Glyph feature now supports switching the phone to Silent or Vibrate mode. The new Glyph Progress system works with apps like Uber, Zomato, and Google Calendar, showing progress updates on both the screen and the rear Glyph LEDs. This makes the Glyph system more useful in everyday situations.
New Camera Features and UI Changes
The camera app has also received noticeable upgrades. Users now get new camera presets, including the “Stretch” preset created with Jordan Heming. A new slider allows users to adjust the intensity of filters. Motion Photos now record slightly longer clips along with audio, making them more dynamic. The watermark interface has been updated, and the overall camera UI matches the design seen in newer Nothing devices. These improvements make photography more creative and fun for users.
Support for Essential Apps
Nothing OS 4.0 also adds support for Essential Apps, which can be downloaded from the Nothing Playground website. These apps appear as special widgets on the home screen or lock screen and provide quick access to useful features. Users can customize these widgets based on their needs.
Final Thoughts:
Nothing OS 4.0 brings a collection of meaningful improvements across visuals, performance, customization, and everyday usability. Features like hidden apps, better search, new widgets, camera upgrades, Extra Dark Mode, and enhanced Glyph tools make the update feel more polished. Overall, the update improves the user experience and adds more flexibility to how users personalize their phones.
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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.