Nothing has announced the availability of its Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta for Phone (2a) Plus users. The update is accessible starting today, December 12th, and introduces several new features and improvements. Below are the details of the release, including features, installation instructions, and disclaimers.
What’s New in Nothing OS 3.0?
Shared Widgets
Use widgets to link up with friends and family. See another person’s widgets displayed on your home screen and interact with each other through reactions. A new way to stay connected.
Lock screen
New lock screen customisation page. Access by long-pressing the lock screen or via the Customisation page.
Upgraded clock faces. Choose your favourite style.
Expanded widget space, allowing you to place more widgets on your lock screen.
Smart Drawer
Added AI-powered Smart Drawer feature to automatically categorise your apps into folders. For better organisation and easy access.
For ultimate convenience, you can pin your favourite apps to the top of the app drawer. No scrolling required.
Quick Settings
Reconsidered Quick Settings design with an optimised editing experience.
Enhanced widget library design.
Updated visuals in Settings including better Network & Internet and Bluetooth options.
Camera improvements
Faster camera launch speed under the Camera Widget.
Reduced HDR scene processing time.
Smoothened user interface after countdown photos
Improved zoom slider display.
Enhanced pop-up view
Movable pop-up view for cleaner and more productive multi-tasking.
Easily resize the pop-up view by dragging the bottom corners.
Pin the pop-up view on the screen edge for quick access.
View information without leaving your current app. Simply swipe down on incoming notifications to enter the pop-up view. Enable via Settings > System > Pop-up view.
Other improvements
AI-powered selection and prioritisation of your frequently used apps, keeping them at your fingertips for a more efficient experience
Added support for auto-archive function to automatically free up storage space without removing apps or data from your device.
Partial screen sharing for more efficient and secure screen recording. Record just an app window rather than the entire screen.
Updated setup wizard to version 3.0 for the smoothest introduction to Nothing OS.
Enabled predictive back animations for apps that have opted in.
New fingerprint animation with signature dot matrix styling.
New charging animation with signature dot matrix styling.
Note:
- Shared Widgets are currently supported by Nothing devices only. At this stage, only Photo Widgets (square) can be shared. We are rapidly developing support for other widgets, so stay tuned.
- Since Shared Widgets are in beta, you might encounter some issues. We appreciate your patience as continue to improve your experience.
Update Size and Build Number
- The update is 1.7GB in size and comes with build number PacmanPro-V3.0-241126-1448.
How to Access the Beta
- Ensure your device is running Nothing OS 2.6 with build number PacmanPro-U2.6-240924-2223 or PacmanPro-U2.6-241125-2243.
- Download the provided APK and install it from your downloads folder.
- Navigate to Settings > System > Update to Beta Version.
- Tap Check for New Version and follow the on-screen steps.
Note: If the update isn’t visible yet, it may take time to roll out. Feedback can be shared via Settings > System > Feedback, or join the dedicated discussion thread for more insights.
Important Notes and Disclaimers
- Beta Version Risks: As this is a beta release, users may experience bugs or issues. Back up all your data to avoid data loss in case a factory reset is required.
- Performance During Upgrade: Temporary overheating and higher power consumption may occur but will normalise post-upgrade.
Rollback Instructions
- Download the rollback package for Nothing OS 2.6.
- Navigate to Settings > System > Update to Beta Version.
- Tap Import File and select the rollback package.
Note: Creating a ‘Documents’ folder in Internal Storage may be necessary if errors arise during rollback.
Disclaimer: Rolling back to Nothing OS 2.6 may cause issues due to new Google rollback rules. Back up all data beforehand, as the process requires a factory reset.
