Back in the day, Google Nexus devices had an overwhelming advantage on the software side of things over their Android competitors. This came from its stock Android support, which was smooth and glitch-free unlike many manufacturer skins back then. This is why rooting, overclocking, and custom OS options like CyanogenMod became such a hit. As technology began to progress though, both hardware and manufacturer-specific software evolved to the point where these were no longer as appealing. If you want a nostalgia trip down memory lane though, the Nothing Launcher is in its beta stage. This seeks to provide the stock Android experience all the way in 2022.
If you’re not familiar with Nothing Technologies, it is a company started up by none other than Carl Pei. He is the co-founder and former Director of now smartphone giant OnePlus, leaving behind in 2020 to return to a more grounded startup experience. After all, OnePlus once had the title “giant slayer” with an extremely cheap flagship-killing device and a custom Android OS. Once that company transitioned to what it is now though, it has transformed into the very thing it was created to slay.
Nothing’s first product was the Ear 1, a pair of visually-striking wireless earbuds due to their transparent design. Taking into consideration that this is the main product for Carl Pei’s new company and the multitude of hype becomes very understandable. The device ended up with average to mid-high reviews, with many saying that it doesn’t traverse any new boundaries in the performance sector. Now they are developing their very first smartphone which is rumored to come within the year.
Having people try out the launcher probably means that they want to see how users will respond to the software on their upcoming device. There will most likely be a lot of notetaking and improvements on their end before the official release. It returns to Nothing’s ethos of simplicity, cleanliness, and fluidity.
You can download the Nothing Launcher Beta by clicking here. Keep in mind that it will only be available to Samsung S21 and S22 devices, OnePlus smartphones, and the Google Pixel 5 and 6 pair. Let us know what you think of the new Nothing Launcher Beta!
