Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta Rolling Out: Third-party Apps Coming on Nothing OS
The Nothing OS 4.0 Open Beta is officially live, and the tech crowd wastes little time diving in. The update arrives on the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro, with fresh features and a new mood. Those inclined to keep their phones feeling “extra” are buzzing, while the purists are eyeing the release with the usual blend of excitement and skepticism.
Lock Glimpse: A Lively Lock Screen
Yes, the standout is Lock Glimpse a fancy name for a dynamic lock screen that actually feels dynamic. The first time it loads, nine wallpaper categories greet users, changing up the vibe each time the phone wakes. There’s talk in the forums about how sometimes a lock screen just needs a little “pick-me-up,” and Lock Glimpse delivers. Some are already swapping stories about their favorite categories, from moody cityscapes to abstract bursts of color. Handy touch: swipe left, get a fresh wallpaper (or maybe just another reminder that you really should clean your keys).
Third-party Apps: A Surprising Twist
Nothing’s adding select third-party apps out of the box, yep, Instagram’s apparently one of the first, and it’s sparking more debate than the morning coffee queue. For years, Nothing has all but bragged about its bloat-free experience. Now, non-flagship devices will see curated partner apps, but the Nothing team insists users can actually remove them easily. The brand says it’s a move to keep devices affordable and sustainable rather than clogging storage. As someone wise once joked, it’s better than getting an Angry Birds clone and a sketchy compass app no one asked for.
Other Features & Oddities
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Based on Android 16, so the usual suspects: smarter multitasking, improved privacy, better battery controls.
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Visual tweaks and lighter icon packs make the OS feel, well, smoother in places, especially with the “Stretch” camera preset that aims for retro, cinematic vibes (early testers say it makes evening photos pop).
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Quick Settings now lets you get to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth faster, one less swipe, one fewer sigh.
Lighter Touches, Honest Opinions
Not everyone is thrilled with pre-installed apps, but at least Nothing’s not shy about explaining why, if thin margins mean a couple of partner apps, and those are easy to evict, it’s a deal most can live with. Lock Glimpse’s moody aesthetic is already winning over some users who never bothered changing their wallpaper before. One tester admitted: “Now my lock screen changes more often than my socks.”
A Work in Progress
The open beta means feedback flows back to Nothing. The fans, critics, and fence-sitters all get to shape the final experience before the stable release. It isn’t flawless, and some quirks need ironing out, but the update feels fresh, creative, and crucially kind of fun to live with.
Disclaimer: Information is based on the current open beta rollout. Features, performance, and app integration may vary until the final stable release from Nothing.
