Nothing OS 2.0 review: Android 13 done right

Nothing’s Phone 2 is popping heads with its hanging design and distinctive lighting results, however is it well worth the value they’re asking for? Most opinions, together with the one by Android Central’s very personal Nicholas Sutrich, say sure, so for those who’re on the lookout for a brand new telephone, you’ll be able to’t go incorrect with the Phone (2).I’ve personally been utilizing the Nothing Phone (2) for over a month now, and in that point, I’ve develop into intimately aware of Nothing OS 2.0. Nothing has blended the very best elements of inventory Android 13 with Google Mobile Services (GMS), however they’ve gone above and past most OEMs in the case of integrating Google apps and providers. And regardless that Nothing made a ton of modifications to inventory Android, Nothing OS 2.0 doesn’t stray too removed from inventory Android the place it actually issues, like the bottom options, design, and system conduct.Nothing OS 2.0 stands out as a shining instance of how Android OS customization ought to be performed, and on this assessment, I’m going to cowl each key function and alter in it to exhibit why it’s so good.Nothing OS 2.0: Glyph Interface — Making essentially the most of one thing(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Calling a smartphone function a gimmick suggests it has little utility, and that’s normally true when a smartphone packs one thing that solely serves a single objective. The Nothing Phone (2)’s Glyph lighting isn’t a gimmick due to how tightly it’s built-in into the telephone’s design and OS, however whether or not it’s truly helpful is a matter of opinion. The Nothing Phone (2) has 11 particular person LED strips with a complete of 33 addressable zones. At a floor stage, the Glyph lighting system is nothing greater than a glorified notification LED. However, as a result of there are such a lot of of them, Nothing OS 2.0 can provide extra helpful data at a look than a standard notification LED can. For instance, whereas most notification LEDs on smartphones double as a charging indicator, they’ll solely let you know in case your telephone is charging or totally charged. By distinction, Nothing OS 2.0 lights up the underside two LEDs to mirror the approximate battery stage, supplying you with a greater concept of how a lot your telephone has charged. The gentle doesn’t keep on the entire time whereas the telephone is charging, however you’ll be able to wiggle the telephone a bit to get it to point out up at will. This is clearly not a groundbreaking function, nevertheless it’s one instance of how Nothing turned what was beforehand a easy indicator right into a extra advanced progress meter. The charging LED indicator on the Nothing Phone 2. (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Another instance is how the LED strip on the center-right lights up with modifications in quantity. This allows you to see the amount stage whereas the telephone’s going through down with its display off, which could be helpful if you wish to hearken to music out of your telephone with out getting distracted. However, this function doesn’t work with solid periods, so that you’ll must depend on both the OS’s visible indicator or the Cast system itself to point out the amount stage. Image 1 of twoVolume indicator LED on the Nothing Phone 2. Media quantity set to 50%. (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)Volume indicator LED on the Nothing Phone 2. Media quantity set to close 0%. (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)The most notable instance of how Glyph lighting can be utilized as a progress bar is with Glyph Progress. Glyph Progress supplies an estimate of your rideshare/supply driver’s arrival by progressively lighting up the center-right LED strip. It solely works with Uber and Zomato for the time being, although it’s price noting that neither app truly helps it straight, as Nothing doesn’t present a Glyph lighting API. Instead, the Glyph Progress app in Nothing OS 2.0 makes use of Android’s Notification Listener API to parse the notifications that the Uber and Zomato apps publish to supply an estimate of your driver’s arrival.  (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)This implementation isn’t unhealthy — Google additionally does issues this fashion to supply ridesharing particulars within the Pixel’s At a Glance widget — nevertheless it does imply that increasing assist to different apps shall be tough. That’s as a result of Nothing must add separate handlers for every app they need to parse notifications for, assuming that app even supplies them. Even then, every app may change how its notifications are proven, breaking the mixing within the course of. Plus, the notifications might seem in a different way primarily based on language, which provides additional complexity. That’s probably why the Glyph Progress function warns that it’s “most effective with apps that are set to English.”Even if Nothing releases a public API for Glyph lighting, it’s unlikely many main apps will combine it. While the Phone 2 is talked about quite a bit on-line because of Nothing’s stellar advertising, it (in addition to the Nothing Phone (1)) hasn’t offered in practically sufficient numbers for many builders to justify including assist for Glyph lighting. That’s unlucky as a result of there may probably be some actually cool and helpful ways in which builders may reap the benefits of this function.Developers of digital wellness/clock/timer apps may, for instance, present how a lot time is remaining by way of Glyph lighting. In reality, Nothing OS 2.0 has a “Glyph timer” function that gives a visible countdown of a timer. The timer needs to be manually set by way of Settings > Glyph Interface > Glyph Timer or by way of a Quick Settings tile, although. It could be good if the Glyph timer may routinely activate while you set a timer by way of Google Clock. (When you set a timer in Google Clock, it posts an ongoing notification exhibiting the remaining time, so it ought to be potential for Nothing to parse that notification as they do with Uber and Zomato for Glyph Progress.) Nothing OS 2.0 was designed with the philosophy of “intentional smartphone usage,” which mainly means it needs you to make use of your telephone to do what you supposed to do while you picked it up moderately than getting sidetracked by an app that wishes you to sink time into it. Some of the earlier Glyph options can clearly make it easier to scale back how usually you choose up your telephone, however the two Glyph options that do essentially the most to enhance “intentional smartphone usage” are “essential” notifications and customized Glyph patterns for contacts. When a notification marked as “essential” is obtained, the Nothing Phone 2’s top-right LED strip is lit up till the notification is learn or dismissed. (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman)An “essential” notification is one which causes the OS to gentle up the top-right LED strip on the again of the Nothing Phone (2) till the notification is learn or dismissed. Notifications could be marked as important both by way of Settings > Glyph Interface > Notifications or by long-pressing on any notification within the notifications panel after which toggling “Essential Glyph.” It’s inconceivable to inform which app an “essential” notification got here from, although, as a result of the OS doesn’t allow you to customise the lighting. That means it is advisable select which notifications you mark as “essential” rigorously. Otherwise, you’ll be tempted to show your telephone over extra usually than it is advisable.  Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Android already mainly allows you to mark sure contacts as important by letting the calls and messages of your chosen “starred contacts” interrupt you whereas in Do Not Disturb mode. Nothing OS 2.0 takes this a step additional by letting you create a singular ringtone plus Glyph gentle present for every contact. You can do that by way of Glyph Compose, which is on the market below Settings > Glyph Interface > Compose.Each ringtone you create can then be set for the contact(s) of your alternative below the “Ringtones” part of Glyph Interface settings. Nothing partnered with Swedish House Mafia for Glyph Compose, so the ensuing ringtones you’ll be able to create are literally fairly cool. The final two wellness-related Glyph options I wished to focus on are “flip to Glyph” and the visible response for Google Assistant. The former is mainly the Pixel’s “flip to Shhh” gesture however with a Glyph lighting twist. Flip your telephone face down, and it’ll go silent, solely lighting up for notifications and calls.Like with most Android telephones, when the Nothing Phone (2)’s display is off, you’ll be able to nonetheless summon the Google Assistant by saying, “Hey, Google.” But when different telephones are on their again, you received’t know if the Assistant heard you when your telephone is silent. The Nothing Phone (2), nonetheless, will gentle up when the Assistant is triggered, so you’ll be able to depart your telephone face down whereas speaking to Google. Minimizing gentle publicity at evening may help with sleep, which is why Nothing OS 2.0 allows you to set a bedtime schedule for the Glyph lights. You can select the beginning and finish time in addition to what days to schedule Glyph lights by going to Settings > Glyph Interface > Bedtime Schedule.It’s unlucky that Nothing couldn’t tie Glyph’s bedtime schedule to Digital Wellbeing’s. It could be good if the present bedtime mode additionally turned off Glyph lighting so that you don’t must set two completely different bedtime schedules in two completely different locations. However, Google made it so third-party apps can’t monitor when Digital Wellbeing’s bedtime mode is activated. Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Before I transfer on, listed below are a couple of remaining tidbits about Glyph lighting on the Nothing Phone (2). First, by default, the telephone makes use of its ambient gentle sensor to regulate the brightness of the LEDs, however you’ll be able to change the brightness from the Glyph Interface settings. Second, you should utilize the Glyph lighting as a flashlight by long-pressing on the flashlight Quick Setting tile. This activates all of the LED strips on the again and units them at max brightness. The Glyph lights aren’t as brilliant because the digital camera LED, however that may be useful while you truly need much less gentle.Lastly, Nothing OS 2.0 has a hidden music visualizer function that makes the Glyph interface gentle up in sync with music performed by way of the audio system. The music visualizer isn’t obtainable by default however could be surfaced by making a contact named “Alakazam” after which giving it a customized ringtone. Nothing OS 2.0: Where it builds on inventory Android 13(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Nothing OS 2.0 ought to really feel proper at house for anybody who’s used to Pixel’s Android, as Nothing stored the final feel and look of inventory Android intact. It did inject its personal distinctive design into a number of elements of Android in addition to enhance upon a number of of its base options, although.Home screenMany reviewers have commented on how good the house display is in Nothing OS 2.0, and that has quite a bit to do with how subdued it’s. Nothing made the smart move to increase Android 13’s themed icons function by turning each app icon monochromatic however stopping in need of truly theming them. This isn’t enabled by default, nonetheless, because it requires downloading an replace to the Nothing Icon Pack.Since this icon pack forces app icons to develop into monochromatic, it doesn’t work properly for some apps. The iPrint&Scan app, for instance, turns into utterly clean when Nothing’s Icon Pack is enabled. Generally, although, I’ve had no issues with icon visibility. This function makes it much less tempting to open distracting apps, and it’s one thing I need to see Google deliver to Pixel. Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)In distinction, the way in which themed icons work in inventory Android 13 is that the OS takes the monochromatic icon equipped by every app and applies a background and foreground shade that’s pulled from the colour palette the OS generates primarily based on the consumer’s wallpaper. Since this function depends on builders offering a monochromatic icon, a whole lot of apps simply don’t assist the function in any respect, turning your property display right into a hodgepodge of themed and unthemed app icons. In Android 13 QPR2, although, Google added a flag that forces themes on each app icon. Android’s compelled themed icons function appears to be a one-off experiment, although, because it’s not obtainable but, even in Android 14. Nothing constructed on that concept, however by solely forcing the app icons to develop into monochromatic however not making use of a theme to them, the outcome finally ends up trying higher. If you like your property display to have a little bit of shade, it’s potential to allow inventory Android 13’s themed icon function by altering the Icon Pack to “Color,” although you’ll then run into the issue I discussed earlier than since not all apps provide a monochromatic app icon. Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)The remainder of the modifications Nothing made to the launcher aren’t as important, so I’ll rapidly undergo them. There are eight “Nothing” widgets, three of that are clocks, two of which inform the date and climate, and the remaining three act as fast settings shortcuts. Nothing’s Weather app additionally supplies 4 of its personal widgets, which every present differing quantities of climate data. They all present the present climate situation as a dot-matrix icon, although, which I feel is absolutely cool. (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)The Nothing launcher allows you to enlarge folders which, when mixed with one of many supplied cowl icons, makes them concurrently extra and fewer tempting to open. The variety of cowl icons the launcher supplies is small, although, so I didn’t hassle including them to most of my folders. Unfortunately, you’ll be able to’t conceal apps or create folders within the app drawer, so when you have a ton of apps put in, the app drawer will really feel a bit cluttered.Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Speaking of the app drawer, I do like that Nothing stored the choice to at all times present/conceal your keyboard while you open the app drawer, because it’ll make opening the precise app you need simpler. I’d wish to see them ultimately implement the “quick launch” function that Google continues to be engaged on so to open apps even quicker from the app drawer. I’d additionally wish to see Nothing implement the common search bar that Google added to Pixel, which makes use of Android’s AppSearch framework to index and floor search outcomes throughout apps. Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)System fontThere’s probably not a lot to speak about right here because it’s only a font, however Nothing made the daring alternative to make use of its dot-matrix NDot font for titles/headers. You’ll see this font used on the lock display, in Nothing’s apps and widgets, and on most pages in Settings. Personally, I don’t thoughts the font alternative and, in truth, am fairly a fan of it, however I’ve seen some customers who strongly dislike it. While it’s good for Nothing to precise its model id by way of a customized font, I feel it wouldn’t harm in the event that they supplied a toggle to make use of a extra impartial font. Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)AOD/Lock screenVisually, the lock display doesn’t look that completely different from inventory Android. The solely main variations are the font and the shortage of the fingerprint icon when the always-on show is lively. Pixels have a wiser widget on the highest of their lock screens (Google’s At a Glance widget) in comparison with Nothing’s “Quick Look” widget, which solely exhibits the date, climate, and calendar occasions. Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Unlike the Pixel’s lock display, nonetheless, Nothing helps including widgets to it… type of. Nothing solely allows you to put the corporate’s personal widgets on the lock display, which implies you’re choosing from principally clock/climate widgets. Given that this data is already proven on the lock display, although, that’s not very helpful. It could be good for those who may add any widget to the lock display, however such an implementation must be rigorously crafted since you don’t need a misbehaving widget to someway crash the lock display. Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Nothing OS 2.0 helps lock display shortcuts just like the Pixel, although it affords fewer shortcuts and doesn’t present an entry level from Wallpaper & Styles. You can add a shortcut on the left or proper for Device Controls, Google Wallet, Torch, or Camera in Nothing OS 2.0, versus the extra Do Not Disturb, Mute, and QR code shortcuts in AOSP. Nothing may add these further choices by shifting to AOSP’s lock display shortcuts implementation in Nothing OS 3.0, which might additionally deliver together with it integration with the Wallpaper & Styles app. Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Quick SettingsNothing OS 2.0’s Quick Settings implementation is certainly one of my favourite facets of the OS. It retains the final UI and factor placement of inventory Android however with two key variations. First, the Internet and Bluetooth tiles have been enlarged and completely affixed to the highest of the panel. This makes them extra outstanding and in a position to present extra data, like the quantity of cellular information used that month. The bigger measurement additionally permits them to be scrolled when the panel is expanded. The Internet tile could be scrolled to modify between exhibiting the Wi-Fi and cellular networks, whereas the Bluetooth tile could be scrolled to modify between exhibiting the lively Bluetooth system particulars (assuming one is linked) and normal Bluetooth data.  Both tiles additionally assist turning off their respective radios by tapping their icons, one thing that was potential in older variations of Android. Tapping exterior the Wi-Fi/cellular information icon opens the Internet panel, which was added in Android 12, whereas tapping exterior the Bluetooth icon opens a dialog the place you’ll be able to scan for and connect with close by Bluetooth gadgets.The latter is superior because it saves you from having to dive into settings to connect with a Bluetooth system (Android had this earlier than however sadly eliminated it in latest releases). The former is just not as nice, because it removes some performance from its inventory Android counterpart: You can’t change between your linked Wi-Fi and cellular information networks with out turning off the opposite radio. You can change which SIM to make use of information from right here, although.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)The second nice change that Nothing made to the Quick Settings panel is shifting the brightness slider. Nothing put it beneath the Internet and Bluetooth tiles, making it simpler to succeed in with one hand. SecurityNothing OS 2.0 helps Android’s multi-user function, so you’ll be able to create further customers as wanted, as much as a complete of 4. These can embrace a full secondary consumer with its personal lock display and information, a piece profile, and a visitor consumer. If solely partial isolation is required, then you should utilize the Google Photos app to cover photos or movies, Files by Google to cover any file, or Nothing’s App Locker to cover apps. When you attempt to open an app locked by App Locker, Android’s Biometric Prompt will ask you to unlock the app utilizing your biometrics or major credential. In App Locker settings, you’ll be able to select between locking apps when the display is locked or instantly while you exit the app. The solely draw back is that locked apps aren’t hidden from the launcher or app drawer, so if the mere existence of an app is one thing you need to preserve hidden, then this function received’t make it easier to.Although the Nothing Phone (2) helps face unlock, it can’t be used for Biometric Prompt, i.e., to authenticate inside apps or for contactless funds. Similar to the Pixel 7, the Nothing Phone (2)’s face unlock makes use of the RGB entrance digital camera to scan your face. This is just not as safe as 3D face unlock, therefore why it’s solely allowed for use to unlock the system.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)The final security-related function price mentioning is one thing that Google themselves have solely lastly gotten round to including in Android 14: auto-pin affirmation. Nothing OS 2.0 doesn’t present an “enter” button on the lock display throughout PIN entry; moderately, the telephone unlocks as quickly as you enter the right PIN. Multitasking/NavigationAndroid has supported freeform multi-windows since model Nougat, however the function continues to be disabled by default in AOSP. While Nothing OS 2.0 doesn’t allow freeform multi-window mode assist out of the field, it affords a mode that I feel works higher for smartphones: pop-up view. This mode could be enabled for any app by getting into the recents display, long-pressing on an app icon, after which tapping “pop-up view” within the dialog.The pop-up view window behaves equally to picture-in-picture home windows in that just one could be seen at a time, they float on high of all screens, they usually’re anchored to both the left or proper aspect. They can’t, nonetheless, be “stashed” to both aspect to partially conceal them from view, and dismissing them entails sliding the window to a “remove” goal on the high of the display.  When the pop-up view is minimized, the app is seen however can’t be interacted with. Single tapping the window enlarges it, whereas double tapping the window opens it in full display. When the app is enlarged, a drag deal with seems on the backside that can be utilized to reduce or full-screen the app. Swiping up minimizes the window, whereas swiping up makes it full display.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Overall, I feel the pop-up view is a helpful multitasking function that works higher for smartphones than freeform multi-windows, as a result of there’s simply not sufficient display actual property on most telephones to utilize a number of app home windows. The pop-up view is targeted on placing one window on high always so you’ll be able to, say, rapidly reference data from a Wiki article in Chrome whereas enjoying a sport. Earlier, I mentioned that as much as 4 customers could be created, together with the primary consumer. In actuality, it’s potential to have 5 customers complete, as Nothing OS 2.0 creates a hidden “clone” profile while you allow its Dual Apps function. App cloning is a function Google is engaged on for Android 14, however Google’s model of the function restricts what apps you’ll be able to clone to an OEM-provided listing. In distinction, Nothing OS 2.0 allows you to clone any app put in in your system, although it hides the complete app listing behind a separate menu since not each app gracefully handles working in a secondary profile. (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Experimental optionsUnder “Experimental Features,” Nothing affords three options: “connect to Tesla,” “enhanced touch response,” and “Glyph Progress.” I’ve already talked quite a bit about Glyph Progress, however I’ll briefly summarize the opposite two. “Connect to Tesla” allows you to management some options of Tesla autos (A/C, doorways, battery standing, trunk) from a Quick Settings tile. “Enhanced touch response” improves the telephone’s contact responsiveness “for specific games” (it’s unclear which of them, and I wasn’t capable of finding the listing within the OS recordsdata/apps I checked out). (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Nothing OS 2.0: Everything Nothing borrowed from Google(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Most Android telephones ship with Google apps, so that you would possibly assume there isn’t something actually particular in regards to the Google app state of affairs on the Nothing Phone (2). However, the Phone (2) is categorized as a GMS “Premier” tier system, which implies that Nothing signed an settlement with Google to make further modifications to Nothing OS and distribute some apps which are “optional.” In change, Nothing will get some undisclosed financial profit, the precise phrases of that are solely recognized to each corporations.Thus, I wished to focus on what Google apps and options Nothing OS 2.0 has that aren’t additionally obtainable on each Android telephone with GMS on the market.Game Dashboard: The GMS Game Dashboard function is enabled by default in Nothing OS. The Nothing Phone (1) gained assist for this function with its Nothing OS 1.5 replace, making the Phone (1) the primary non-Google telephone to incorporate this function. Unlike on Pixel, although, Nothing OS affords further gaming enhancements on high of the GMS Game Dashboard. These embrace a “minimal” head-up notification UI, mistouch prevention, and “game colour plus.” Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Private Features: The Nothing Phone (2) ships with the “Private Features” model of the Android System Intelligence app, which powers app strategies within the launcher, display consideration, and Live Caption. Notably, this OEM model of Android System Intelligence doesn’t have lots of the options that the Pixel model does, reminiscent of face-based rotation, amongst many others. Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Personal Safety: Google’s Personal Safety app is preinstalled on the Nothing Phone (2). This brings options like emergency sharing, disaster alerts, and emergency SOS, nevertheless it doesn’t allow Google’s automotive crash detection as that may require further work to assist. (Though the emergency SOS gesture is enabled by default on the Nothing Phone (2), you shouldn’t have to fret about unintentionally calling 911 name for the reason that gesture doesn’t set off a name to emergency providers by default.) Safety Center: The unified Security & Privacy settings web page is enabled in Nothing OS 2.0. Google launched this function with the Pixel 7 and later shipped it to different Pixels with the December 2022 function drop, however they mentioned it will come to different Android telephones “soon after.” Nothing’s Phone (1) additionally acquired this function with its OS 1.5.4 replace.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Google Wallpapers: Nothing is transport the identical “Wallpaper & Style” app discovered on Pixel telephones. Most OEMs don’t ship Google’s app straight, as a substitute forking AOSP’s ThemePicker (which Google’s app is itself primarily based on). Shipping Google’s app limits what Nothing can customise, nevertheless it means they don’t must create practically as many first-party wallpapers since Google’s app features a bunch of choices. Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)(Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Health Connect: The Play Store model of the Health Connect app comes preinstalled on the Nothing Phone (2) prefer it does on Pixel. This implies that customers received’t must manually obtain the app to reap the benefits of its well being information aggregation capabilities. Google Lens integration: Nothing’s digital camera app integrates Google Lens so it will probably routinely acknowledge QR codes. This was added again in Nothing OS 1.5.2. Google Phone with name recording: If you’re trying to file a telephone name on the Nothing Phone (2), the Google Phone app it ships with has that performance built-in. However, the decision recording button is deactivated in some areas, just like the U.S., so your mileage might fluctuate. Streaming apps to Chromebooks: Select Android gadgets working Android 13 or greater are able to streaming apps to Chromebooks. Google’s official assist doc says that solely the corporate’s personal Pixel 4a and newer and the Xiaomi 12T and 13 sequence assist this function, however the Nothing Phone (2) ought to be capable of assist this as properly. Nothing OS 2.0: What I hope to see from Nothing(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)I’ve talked about just about each related change to Android 13 and distinctive options that Nothing made, however for this remaining half, I wished to run down a listing of issues that I need to see Nothing repair or enhance upon. These embrace lacking options, bugs, and design choices that I discover problem with. In no specific order: Disable sleep standby optimization:Nothing OS features a battery-saving function below Settings > Battery referred to as “sleep standby optimization” that “temporarily limits network and other features for battery saving when you are asleep.” The function might end in “notifications not be[ing] received promptly.”While it’s nice that Nothing solely (so far as I do know) has a single background app administration function that isn’t part of AOSP, it’s not nice that this function is enabled by default. OEMs shouldn’t, by default, allow options that intrude with how apps work within the background, as this causes complications for each customers (who will not be conscious this function exists) and builders (who must cope with offended customers).Fortunately, turning this function off ought to end in stock-like background app conduct, as my Nothing Phone (2) scored a 100 in an eight-hour run of the DontKillMyApp benchmark. (The excellent news is that Google is beginning to work with OEMs to enhance how apps work within the background throughout gadgets. Hopefully, Nothing will get on board with this initiative.) (Image credit score: Mishaal Rahman / Android Central)Make a Nothing Tips app:Nothing OS has so many alternative options that I feel it’s price making a “Tips” app to helpfully describe (with visuals) methods to use key options of the system. Google’s Tips app is sort of useful on this regard, because it retains customers updated with all the present options of their gadgets and any new options they add of their quarterly Pixel Feature Drops.I’ve seen different OEMs like ASUS replicate this mannequin for his or her gadgets. Nothing does provide a text-based consumer information webpage, nevertheless it isn’t as efficient at instructing customers. Let us conceal some standing bar icons:I don’t have to know that VoLTE is lively on a regular basis, as a result of within the U.S., all three main carriers have phased out their 3G networks already. Obviously, that’s not the case for a lot of different international locations, which is why I feel Nothing ought to allow us to conceal some standing bar icons. Fortunately, Android already affords a built-in standing bar icon blocklist mechanism that Nothing may faucet into. Bugs/Issues:Even although my telephone’s language is ready to English (United States), Nothing OS 2.0 nonetheless exhibits some British spellings/conventions within the OS. For occasion, below Settings > System > Game Mode, the function “game colour plus” ought to be “game color plus.” Under the lock display shortcut settings, “torch” ought to be “flashlight.” In Glyph gentle’s bedtime schedule web page, the primary day of the week is ready to “Monday” as a substitute of “Sunday.” These are all very minor points, however different apps/elements of the OS deal with the locale modifications appropriately, so these areas ought to be fastened as properly. The share sheet and clipboard overlay each provide a technique to edit photos. The former exhibits an “edit” chip when a picture is being shared, whereas the latter exhibits a preview of the picture that may be tapped. Pixels embrace Google’s markup app, which might deal with the intents these ship. Nothing, nonetheless, doesn’t. Instead, these intents are despatched to the default gallery app, which is Google Photos. Google Photos fails to launch in both case, both saying that “no media [is] provided” or “editing is not supported for this image.” Nothing OS 2.0: Verdict(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Even if you end up utilizing Nothing’s Glyph lighting options sparingly, for those who think about your self a fan of what many individuals name “stock Android,” then I’m assured you’ll take pleasure in utilizing Nothing OS 2.0. It not solely retains the general feel and look of Google’s model of Android but additionally improves upon it in some ways.From the totally monochromatic house display to the revamped Internet and Bluetooth tiles and the pop-up view home windows, Nothing OS 2.0 has a whole lot of intelligent modifications to inventory Android that I want Google would undertake. And even when it will not be strategically advantageous for Nothing to combine so many optionally available Google apps and options in the long term, followers of Pixel software program will love that Nothing OS 2.0 has so a lot of Google’s greatest options.