Earlier this month, the Nothing Phone received an early access update featuring Nothing OS 2.5, based on Android 14. As a delightful surprise ahead of Christmas, the brand has now introduced the Nothing OS 2.5 Open Beta program for users of the Phone.
Nothing OS 2.5 Open Beta Program
For Phone users, the arrival of Nothing OS 2.5, powered by Android 14, is a game-changer. The update brings a host of enhancements, and here’s a glimpse of what’s coming your way:
Customization
- Redesigned a joint Home Screen and Lock Screen customization page for a more comprehensive view.
- Introduced the Atmosphere wallpaper effect, breathing life into your background photo with dynamic motion on both lock and home screens.
- Solid color wallpapers for a sleeker Home Screen appearance.
- Added a new monochrome color theme in the basic color section.
Gesture
- Customizable double-press power button for quick access to a chosen feature.
- Expanded Lock Screen shortcut options, including Do Not Disturb, Mute, QR code scanner, and video camera.
- Capture screenshots swiftly with a three-finger swipe gesture.
- New screenshot editor and menu for advanced editing features and quick deletions.
New Widgets
- Pedometer Widget: Keep track of your daily steps directly from your home screen.
- Media Player Widget: Control your music effortlessly while on the move.
- Screen Time Widget: Monitor and manage your daily screen time for a healthier digital lifestyle.
For Phone users who participated in the closed beta program, the open beta brings quite a few improvements as listed below:
- Added a new Glyph animation for when NFC is being used.
- Improved the experience of Flip to Glyph.
- Optimised the experience of the Weather app and improved the notification of weather alerts.
- Refreshed the back gesture arrow visual to be more in line with Nothing’s style.
- Made it possible to set ringtone and notification sound volumes separately, with an updated volume control interface.
- Updated Quick Settings layout and support to show more devices icons.
- Improved the stability of the camera.
- Enhanced overall system stability for a more reliable and smooth experience.
To get involved, ensure your Nothing OS is up to date, download the necessary APK, navigate to Settings > System > Update to Beta version, and follow the prompts. Share your valuable feedback through Settings > System > Feedback or join the conversation at nothing.community.
However, a word of caution: as this is a Beta version, there’s a slight chance the test software may interfere with your data, potentially requiring a factory reset. It’s strongly advised to back up all your data before taking the plunge into the new software.
