Tag: nothing

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Nothing confirms upcoming Phone (1) sports ‘custom-tuned’ mid-range chip

Following the devastating reveal that Nothing’s much-hyped Phone (1) wouldn’t come to Canada, more details have emerged about the device: it sports a mid-range chip.

Admittedly, it’s a “custom-tuned” mid-range chip, but it’s a mid-range chip all the same. The news comes from Input, which reported that Nothing confirmed the Phone (1) would run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G+.

Although the 778G+ is “custom-tuned” for the Phone (1), Input says the chip isn’t significantly different from the regular Snapdragon 778G. Both have an eight-core CPU containing four performance Cortex-A78 cores and four efficiency Cortex-A55 cores. There’s also an Adreno 642L GPU and an X53 5G modem.

In fact, the only real plus with the 778G+ is that it supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. Typically, Qualcomm saves those features for its flagship chips, but Nothing told Input that Qualcomm added those features specifically for the Phone (1).

As for why Nothing opted for a mid-range chip, co-founder Carl Pei told Input that it came down to performance, power consumption, and cost. According to Pei, smartphones have hit a point where performance is good enough and powerful flagship chips have diminishing returns.

Generally, that sentiment rings true. In my experience testing mid-range devices like Google’s A-series Pixel phones, I’ve found them to be excellent overall. It’s rare that I miss the extra performance of higher-end devices. What I do miss are convenience features like wireless charging — likely why Nothing made sure to include it on the Phone (1).

Nothing Phone (1) in black | Image credit: WinFuture

All that being said, I’m curious to see if customers will find the Phone (1)’s mid-range chip worthy of its flagship-level hype. Nothing has made a pretty big deal out of the Phone (1) over the last several months, expertly building hype to a fever pitch. Mid-range specs may deflate some of that hype.

In other Phone (1) news, WinFuture leaked renders of the device in a black colourway. So far, we’ve only seen it in white — the black looks really sleek. You can check out more pictures here.

Header image: Nothing

Source: Input

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Canadians get nada from Nothing — Phone (1) not launching here

It seems we’ve made much ado about Nothing. Literally.

Over the last few weeks, MobileSyrup reporters have covered Carl Pei’s Nothing and its upcoming Phone (1) rather extensively. Turns out it was all for naught — the Phone (1) won’t come to Canada.

Leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) spotted a new disclaimer on the Nothing Phone (1) auction page that reads as follows:

“Nothing phone (1) is not fully supported in North America. Functionality may be impacted depending on your carrier, coverage, speed and/or reliability; or it may not function at all.”

The disclaimer then directs to this list of supported carriers, which doesn’t include any from the U.S. or Canada.

PC Mag received confirmation from Nothing about the lack of support, with the company providing the following statement:

“While we’d love to bring phone (1) to the entire community around the world, we’re focusing on home markets, including the UK and Europe, where we have strong partnerships with leading local carriers. It takes a lot to launch a smartphone as you know, from ensuring the handset is supported by the country’s cellular technologies to carrier partnerships and local regulation, and as we’re still a young brand we need to be strategic about it.

“We have big plans to launch a U.S. supported smartphone in the future. For now, a limited number of our private community investors in the U.S. will be able to get their hands on phone (1) through a closed beta program. In the meantime, if readers really want phone (1) to be available in the US as soon as possible, they should call their carrier to let them know about us.”

Moreover, Nothing told PC Mag that people can try and use Phone (1) with U.S. carriers, but it may not work well. Specifically, Nothing said the phone would have “unpredictable” coverage on T-Mobile, no voice-over-4G on AT&T, and no service at all with Verizon. Presumably, coverage with Canadian carriers will be similarly spotty.

Overall, this is a pretty big bummer for Nothing fans looking forward to trying out the company’s new phone. While I remained skeptical about the Phone (1), I was looking forward to following the launch closely and learning more about it.

Now, Nothing did leave the possibility of a U.S. (and, hopefully by extension, Canadian) phone release open for the future. That might be a good thing in the long run. First smartphones are hard to do well, and if Nothing can take what it learns from Phone (1) and then includes North America in the release for its next product — for example, an improved Phone (2) — we might end up with something great. Only time will tell.

For now, Canadians will need to be content with nothing from Nothing.

Source: Evan Blass (@evleaks), PC Mag

Categories
Mobile Syrup

New video shows how the Nothing Phone (1) can light up your world

Last week, we got to see the Nothing Phone (1)’s weird light strips in action thanks to a YouTube video. Well, thanks to another YouTube video, now we know more about the light strips, including why they work the way they do.

YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) put up a short video (above) with an initial look at the Nothing Phone (1), including a deep dive into the lights. According to Brownlee, the Phone (1) uses over 900 LEDs to make up the light strips seen on the back of the device. Further, Nothing calls these lights the “Glyph Interface.”

As for function, Brownlee describes the lights as an “exaggerated, all-out” version of the notification light seen on many older Android phones. In the video, Brownlee shows off the Glyph Interface settings and explains some of the ways people will be able to use them.

First, the glyphs can light up to let users know about incoming notifications. This can be customized with different patterns — for example, each ringtone has a corresponding Glyph Interface pattern that flashes different sections of the lights. Moreover, users can set different ringtones for their contacts, and thus get different light patterns to easily see who’s calling.

The Glyph Interface also lights up when charging. The big ring around the wireless charging pad glows when you wirelessly charge — this includes reverse wireless charging, such as when you juice up your Nothing earbuds.

The exclamation point at the bottom glows when you charge the Phone (1) via wire. However, this light is extra-neat because it doubles as a charge indicator, showing how full the battery is.

Finally, all the lights can glow to act as a fill light for the camera (there’s also a red LED that glows when recording a video).

This all looks really neat, although for me, it’ll take more than some fancy lights to get me to open my wallet. I’m curious to learn more about the Phone (1), and there will likely be more information shared in the lead-up to the July 12th reveal.

And for those too impatient to wait, Nothing is auctioning off the first 100 Phone (1) units this week — check that out here.

Image credit: MKBHD (YouTube)

Source: MKBHD (YouTube)

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Nothing to put first 100 Phone (1) units up for auction starting June 21

Carl Pei’s Nothing will put 100 of its upcoming Phone (1) smartphones up for auction starting June 21st, giving fans a chance to get hold of the phone early. Maybe.

According to a blog post on StockX — which will also host the auction — people will need to bid on the phone. The 100 highest bids will get phones. In about 35 days. Considering Nothing plans to unveil the phone at a July 12th event and rumours point to the phone being available on July 21st, it seems likely those who participate in the auction will get the Phone (1) about as fast as those who don’t.

Further, each phone is serialized (see the below pic for how it looks), so Phone (1) number one will go to the person with the highest bid, number two to the second-highest bid, and so on down the line. If you make a bid and you’re not in the top 100, you won’t be charged. The flip side is that if you are in the top 100, you’ll need to pay whatever you bid.

Auctioned Phone (1)s will feature an engraving | StockX

StockX will open the auction on June 21st at 9am ET and it will run for 48 hours, closing on June 23rd. The auction page isn’t live yet, however. Additionally, the blog post notes that the phone won’t be available to customers in Mexico and South Korea. Presumably, that means people in other countries — like Canada — will be able to get the phone.

Anyway, if you’ve got cash to spare and you really, really want a Nothing Phone (1), this seems like a way to get one. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, you likely won’t get the Phone (1) any faster this way. Moreover, it’s probably not the best idea to bid money to get a phone that no one really knows anything about. So far, we’ve received several teases, a picture of the transparent backplate, and a YouTube video showing how the rear light strips look when illuminated.

None of that is really enough to go on when buying a phone. What are the specs? Does the camera work well? How long will Nothing support it with software updates? We don’t even know the price, beyond a rumour it’ll cost €500 (about $673.67 CAD). If the answers to these questions don’t matter to you, go bid on a serialized Phone (1). Otherwise, join me in waiting for July 12th.

Header image credit: Nothing

Source: StockX Via: Android Police

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Check out the Nothing Phone (1)’s light-up strips on display in new video

Another day, another drip of information about the Nothing Phone (1). This time around, we got video of the rear of the phone, including the flashing rear light strips.

Nothing held an event in Switzerland for tech journalists and YouTubers where they could see the phone. Well, the back of the phone. In a glass box. So, emphasis on see. Anyway, Das kann was recorded footage and published photos of the phone from the event.

Now, the video doesn’t show much that we haven’t already seen. Yesterday, Nothing published a picture of the back of the phone, and that’s basically all we see in this video. The Nothing Phone (1)’s iPhone-like, squared-off design is on full display.

However, we get a better view of the sides of the upcoming smartphone in this video, including the power and volume buttons (interestingly, two separate volume buttons instead of the typical volume rocker). There’s also a ‘Phone (1)’ logo on the edge below the volume buttons.

The most important thing we see in the video is the light-up strips. Those strange glyphs from Nothing’s first tease of the phone do light up. In the video, you can see the C-shape line around the camera housing illuminate, as well as the angled line in the right-hand corner and the exclamation point line at the bottom.

The big G-shaped line in the middle appears to light up at one point as well, but it’s hard to tell if it’s the phone or a reflection from another light in the room.

Once again, I find myself intrigued by the Phone (1). We’ll likely continue learning little tidbits of information in the build-up to the July 12th reveal. Android Police notes that the phone may go on sale as early as July 21st, with a price around €500 (about $673.67 CAD).

While the price sounds excellent, I’ll remain cautiously optimistic about the Phone (1) for now. There are too many unknowns at this point and, especially for the first phone from a new company, I want to see reviews before making judgements.

Images credit: Das kann was

Source: Das kann was (YouTube) Via: Android Police

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Nothing shares picture of Phone (1) backplate ahead of July reveal

Carl Pei’s Nothing published images of its upcoming ‘Phone (1)’ Android smartphone across social media and the company’s website. The images show off the full back of the phone in the company’s latest bid to boost hype ahead of its July 12th reveal event.

Nothing tweeted an image of the Phone (1) with a parrot perched on the top of the device, similar to the recently released teaser image. This time around, the picture shows the full back of the phone, revealing a semi-transparent design.

Unfortunately, the design isn’t as transparent as some had hoped. The phone doesn’t show the internals like some other transparent tech designs — instead, everything appears to be wrapped in some kind of white plastic with what appears to be clear glass on top. It almost looks like there are layers beneath the (presumably) glass panel.

The images also show off the odd glyphs Nothing previously shared as a teaser of the phone. There’s the odd C-shape around the dual rear cameras, the G-shaped white line wrapping around the wireless charging coil, and the two other small lines are present too.

In a previous interview with The Verge, Pei hinted that the Phone (1) might include light-up strips. It’s not clear how these will work, and whether it’s the glyphs that will light up or some other part of the phone.

Nothing describes the phone as “bold,” “warm,” and “full of soul,” which seems a stretch when talking about a plain, white smartphone with the boxy industrial design popularized by Apple’s iPhone line.

If you’re itching for more information about the Nothing Phone (1), the company published a teaser video yesterday you can check out. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait for the next info drop — my guess is we’ll continue to get little tidbits from Pei and Nothing until the official reveal on July 12th.

Header image credit: Nothing

Source: Nothing, Twitter, Instagram Via: 9to5Google

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Nothing trailer teases phone, goes behind-the-scenes on development

Nothing has just dropped a new behind-the-scenes video about the Nothing Phone (1), but sadly all the cool stuff is blurred out.

I won’t spoil the video given its vlog-like nature and the fact that it’s an enjoyable watch, but I will say that from the size of the blurred object in Carl Pei’s hand, I’m expecting the Nothing Phone (1) to be large. It might even be as big as the OnePlus 10 Pro, but still thin.

If you align this with all the subtle design elements that the company has shown off, it’s starting to look like a genuinely exciting device. On June 13th, the company showed off the device’s top edge and the sides alongside a few parrot pictures. Nothing also followed the biggest YouTube tech creators on Twitter during that time, suggesting that its device is getting closer to release and aims to make videos with YouTube’s top tech creators.

Nothing is holding an event on July 12th, and we expect to see the entire phone there. You can watch the full video below:

Image credit: Nothing

Source: Nothing

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Nothing Phone design hinted at again, full reveal coming this week

Carl Pei’s Nothing startup has shared another teaser of its upcoming phone that shows off a tiny glimpse of the handset’s camera.

The company’s Twitter account posted an image of two colourful birds with the caption “Curious? So are they.” As beautiful as the birds are, the real star of the picture is the phone they’re perched on.

The phone appears to have metal edges like an iPhone 5 and comes in white, but that’s all that can be seen. It looks like there’s a camera lens on the left and some other sensors on the right. There are some rumours that the Nothing Phone may use a magnetic pogo pin design similar to the Essential Phone, but so far, that hasn’t been confirmed.

Following that, Nothing Co-founder Akis Evange quote-tweeted the bird image and said, “This week.” Nothing is holding an event on July 12th at 5 pm ET, which is a month away. However, the company has kept up a constant string of teases, so it wouldn’t be a massive surprise for it to reveal the phone’s design early.

There’s little known about the phone thus far beyond the fact that it’s made of recycled aluminum, will have no chin and also features a semi-transparent backplate. It will run on a Snapdragon chipset and use the Nothing Launcher, which looks very minimal thus far.

The company has also tweeted other bird pictures lately as marketing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this photo came from the Nothing phone, which is reportedly packing a 50-megapixel primary camera sensor. Other theories suggest that the rich colours in the bird hint toward a 10-bit HDR display.

Source: Nothing, Ben Geskin, Akis Evange

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Nothing Phone (1) will launch on July 12

Nothing will hold an event in London, alongside a simultaneous live stream at 11am ET, to launch the anticipated device.

Nothing is calling this event ‘Return to Instinct.’

Funny enough, there seems to have been an issue with the Nothing Twitter account this past week. On June 6th, Nothing tweeted “this week,” and yesterday, the company tweeted “Tomorrow.”

This got met with a reply from Carl Pei that said, “wtf who posted this.”

It’s unsure if this was a joke, or by ‘Tomorrow,’ the tweet just meant that Nothing would tell us about the July 12th event. Either way, Nothing teasing about this device is getting out of hand.

Previously, the phone was rumoured to launch on July 21st, so it looks like we’ll see the handset a bit sooner than expected.

So far, we’ve seen the Nothing OS launcher, which runs on top of Android 11, and we know that the phone will sport transparent elements like the ear (1) and the HTC U11+. 

Source: Nothing

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Nothing to reveal something new about the Phone (1) this week

It looks like we might finally learn about the Nothing Phone (1) this week.

Carl Pei’s new company, Nothing, recently tweeted two words, ‘This week.’ 

This isn’t a lot to go off of, but previous details had led us to believe that the Nothing Phone (1) would release on July 21st. However, this was just a leak and the only information we had from Pei was that the phone was slated for a “summer release date.”

So far, all we know for sure about the Nothing Phone (1) is it will sport wireless charging, a transparent back, no chin, a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and a recycled aluminum frame.

Source: @nothing