Recently, Nothing has shared insightful details about its future plans, particularly focusing on the newly introduced Lock Glimpse feature. According to a post published by the company, select non-flagship devices will soon include a variety of third-party partner apps and services. The intention behind this move is to maintain a streamlined experience while ensuring these additional apps remain minimal and easy to remove for users.
The latest update of Nothing OS 4.0 beta, based on Android 16, has recently expanded to cover the Phone 3a and 3a Pro models. This update not only brings all the features from the original changelog but also introduces exciting new functionalities, such as Lock Glimpse and a novel “Stretch” camera preset in the Camera app. However, the community's reception of Lock Glimpse has been lukewarm, with many users expressing concerns about it being perceived as bloatware that displays ads.
In response to the concerns raised by users, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis took to the company blog to elaborate on the purpose and functionality of the Lock Glimpse feature. He emphasized that select non-flagship devices will feature a “carefully considered selection of third-party partner apps and services” that users typically install right from the start, such as Instagram. Evangelidis assured users that these apps would not disrupt the overall Nothing OS experience and could potentially enhance performance, providing a more integrated user experience.
Details about the Lock Glimpse feature reveal that it is turned off by default on the Phone (3a) series, allowing users to enable it at their convenience either through the Settings menu or by swiping left from the lock screen. Users can customize wallpaper categories, refresh content at any time, or even disable the feature entirely. Future updates are expected to allow users to upload their own photos to replace standard wallpapers, further personalizing the experience. Importantly, if users opt to enable Lock Glimpse, no personal data will be shared.
Evangelidis provided a rationale for introducing third-party applications, explaining that one of the significant challenges for Nothing is managing the cost of the bill of materials (BOM). He pointed out that while the company pays a higher BOM compared to more established brands, it also lacks the software-based revenue streams that other companies leverage to mitigate expenses. This initiative is seen as a means to explore sustainable revenue models without passing costs onto consumers.
Despite the company's efforts to clarify its direction, the community's response has been mixed. Many users voiced their concerns in the comments section of the blog post. One user stated, “We choose Nothing for the clean OS. My next phone won’t be a Nothing with the bloatware you’re planning to add.” Another echoed these sentiments, stating, “Great, now I will have bloatware installed on my future Nothing Phone if it is not the flagship. Just like Samsung does all the time!”
In conclusion, Nothing aims to redesign each element of its OS while integrating these new features in an optimal way. The company is committed to keeping partner apps minimal and easily removable, ensuring users maintain full control over the Lock Glimpse feature. As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see how Nothing responds to community feedback and whether it can successfully implement these features while maintaining its brand ethos.
