Nothing Phone (1): The foundation of a new ecosystem

Company founder Carl Pei was already photographed with a previously unknown smartphone at the MWC in Barcelona at the end of February. Now Nothing has confirmed the work on the Phone (1). He also gave a first look at the user interface and talked about Nothing's vision in particular.

Apple as a role model - but more open

According to Carl Pei, Apple currently has the only usable ecosystem with its products and software. All other connections, such as between Apple and Windows, are not alternatives. And Nothing wants to change that.

The phone (1) is supposed to function as the heart of the ecosystem. However, the ecosystem is open and thus not limited to Nothing's devices. He even wants to integrate AirPods or Teslas. You cannot change the world with one device alone, but the smartphone should be the beginning of a change.

Despite these big words, Pei keeps the Nothing Phone (1) hidden for now. There is only this cryptic graphic to see.

As for the equipment, Pei only revealed that it has a Snapdragon processor on board and that they work together with Samsung and Sony, among others, or use their components. Android is used as software, and the user interface is supposed to be something special.

First look at Nothing OS

Nothing OS sounds like its own operating system. But the Phone (1) runs Android and Nothing OS is the company's plain user interface. Black, white and gray tones dominate. Colors are only found on the app icons. Calendar entries and other elements appear in a dot matrix or graphics reminiscent of old display panels. Nothing is talking about a dot matrix. The designs aren't final yet, though.

For the in-house user interface, Pei promises 40 percent fewer pre-installed apps. They would focus on the best of Android. Animations would be minimal so as not to be distracting.

Frequently used apps should launch faster, little-used apps would close Nothing in the background or put it into sleep mode to have more power for the important apps.

The Phone (1) would receive Android updates for three years and security updates for four years.

In addition to the Phone (1), Nothing OS is the foundation of the new open ecosystem, he said. Those who want to get a first impression of it can download a launcher for selected smartphones starting in April. The Phone (1) is scheduled for release in the summer of 2022. There are no more precise details on the sales launch and price so far.

I am curious about the test device. Despite the big announcement, will it simply be the next smartphone or really something completely different?

Carl Pei founded Nothing after he left the smartphone brand OnePlus as co-founder in early 2021. With his new company, he wants to break down barriers between people and technology. He was able to convince well-known investors (iPod inventor, Twitch co-founder, Reddit CEO, etc.) with this idea, and the first product, the Ear (1) headphones, was already released in summer 2021.