TheNothing Phone 1is a reasonably priced midranger with the hardware and software attributes to boot. Not to mention the attractive Glyph Interface on the back panel, unlocking a wide array of customization options for the customers. While the smartphone launched with Nothing OS 1.0 (Android 12) last year, the company sent out the Android 13-based Nothing OS 1.5 to the phonethis February. Fast forward to earlier this month, when the mid-2022 smartphone was expected to pick up theNothing OS 2.0software by the end of August, just as the beta phase kicked off. Today, the London-based company has begun rolling out the stable version of this new update to owners of the Phone 1, just as promised.
Nothing CEO Carl Pei confirmed the development through a post on X, though it doesn’t seem to be widely rolling out at the moment. The executive also reassured fans that the company would reduce the “time gap” between updates in due time. Device owners can check for an update by heading over to Settings > System > System Update. Nothing also shared news of the latest update on itsDiscord channeland later via ablog post, offering some insight into what’s new.
The company lists down a few changes, including Essential Glyph Notifications, a feature that lets you stay alert to the most important app notifications, including from specific contacts, with the help of persistent notifications on the rear panel’s LED strips a.k.a the Glyph Interface. A new App Locker application is bundled with the update, and so is the ability to clone apps. Lastly, Quick Settings widgets are also making their way to the midranger, in addition to lockscreen widgets. Here’s the full changelog as published by the manufacturer:
Home screen customisation
Upgraded visual identity that feels unmistakably Nothing.
Updated launcher grid layout, supporting the option to hide icon labels.
More customisation options for folders including different layouts and covers.
Nothing widgets
Updated designs for the following widgets: Clock, Weather, Quick Look.
New Quick Settings widget, allowing you to access settings even quicker.
Widgets are now available on the lockscreen and AOD.
Glyph Interface
New Essential Glyph Notifications mean you never miss what matters most. Assign selected apps and contacts as essential so that when you receive a notification, a persistent Glyph will shine while the device is locked. That means you’ll know at a glance if you have any important missed notifications.
Glyph Torch. Long press the Torch Quick Settings tile to light up the entire Glyph Interface.
New app features
Cloned apps allow you to operate multiple accounts in the same app without having to log out.
App Locker lets you protect your apps by adding an extra level of security when you go to open them.
Other improvements
Updated auto brightness.
Many, many general improvements to optimise your overall Phone (1) experience.
It’s worth noting that the more recently unveiledNothing Phone 2debuted with Nothing OS 2.0 and has received acouple of updatesin the short time since its availability, with the most recent one aimed atfixing a couple of camera-specific issues. Unlike the Phone 1, the manufacturer’s most recent offering is available in the US, starting at $599. Despite lacking the latest and greatest Qualcomm silicon, the phone offers good value, especially from a software perspective.
Nothing Phone 2
The Nothing Phone 2 is Nothing’s second phone, but the company’s first to be sold in the United States. At a starting price of $599, it’s got a lot to offer, including a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, a 120Hz OLED display, 45W fast charging, and a unique design.
