- By Prateek Levi
- Sat, 25 Oct 2025 01:21 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Nothing, the UK-based smartphone maker co-founded by Carl Pei, has started rolling out the Open Beta of its new operating system, Nothing OS 4.0, for the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro. The update debuts a fresh feature called Lock Glimpse and marks the first time the company is experimenting with pre-installed third-party apps on select non-flagship phones — a move that has stirred curiosity about the brand’s future direction.
Lock Glimpse: A Smarter, More Dynamic Lock Screen
At the heart of this update is Lock Glimpse — a feature that refreshes users’ lock screens with curated, high-quality wallpapers across nine categories. Users can swipe left on the lock screen to access it, though it’s disabled by default. Nothing emphasizes that the feature is entirely optional and that no user data is collected if it’s turned on.
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Lock Glimpse may also evolve into something more functional. Upcoming versions could let users swap the curated wallpapers for personal photos, making each unlock feel more personal.
Explaining the design philosophy, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis said in a company blog, “We aim to integrate features in the most optimal way, while keeping everything under the user’s control.”
A Subtle Shift: Third-Party Apps Enter the Picture
In a notable change from its clean-software reputation, Nothing is beginning to bundle select third-party apps with some of its non-flagship phones. Evangelidis explained that these apps are chosen for their popularity and usefulness — examples include social platforms like Instagram, as well as apps that enhance camera or sharing capabilities.
He reassured users that these additions won’t compromise the minimalist experience Nothing is known for. “We operate on razor-thin margins and must make deliberate choices to deliver a high-quality user experience while remaining financially sustainable,” he wrote. Importantly, all pre-installed apps will be removable, keeping users in full control.
Building a Brand in a Tough Market
Evangelidis also addressed the broader challenges of building a new smartphone brand in today’s hyper-competitive market — one where manufacturing costs are high, supply chains are complex, and established players dominate.
He noted that Nothing will maintain its transparency with users, continuing to inform and involve the community as it experiments with new features and software directions.
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Whether these experiments will eventually lead to full-fledged bloatware or a more balanced ecosystem remains to be seen — but for now, Nothing seems intent on evolving without losing its user-first philosophy.