A fresh take on Android
Key Features in Nothing OS 4.0
- Refined Design & Extra Dark Mode: The update brings a sharper, more unified design with standardized components, new lock screen clocks, and cleaner Quick Settings. A new “Extra Dark Mode” offers a deeper dark aesthetic to reduce eye strain.
- Pop-up View & App Optimisation: Multitasking gets a boost with support for two floating app icons, while system-level optimizations promise faster app start times and overall smoothness.
- Photography Experience: The new “TrueLens Engine” powers an upgraded Camera and a smarter Gallery, with more intuitive controls and creative presets.
- Transparent AI Controls: You get full control over AI with a new usage dashboard and status hints for LLMs, making the technology’s behavior clear and easy to manage.
Why this is a big deal
Screenshots from the Nothing OS 4.0 UI | Image credit — Nothing
In a world dominated by iOS, One UI, and Google’s flavor of Android via the Pixel launcher, Nothing is carving out a niche for itself. While Google’s Pixel UI on Android also aims for a clean look, its approach to AI is far more integrated and less explicit. Nothing explicit AI dashboard is a direct counterpoint to that.
A refreshing, if niche, approach
I’m a fan of what Nothing is doing here. The focus on both aesthetics and core usability—like App Optimization and Pop-up View — shows a mature approach. The commitment to AI transparency is particularly interesting. While I’m not sure the average person will be diving into an AI dashboard, the gesture itself builds trust.
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