Though Raw, Powerful Specification on Paper apparently lure a customer to pick up a Smartphone, its almost certain that its the Software underneath, the OS that makes the user continue using it and eventually staying invested in the Brand. The best examples would be Apple’s IOS and OnePlus’s Oxygen OS (especially Oxygen OS 10: best Android Implementation till date). So it is no secret that it is of paramount importance for any OEM to ace the Software aspect in order to stay relevant in the long-term. Here’s my take on making the framework of a fan favourite OS:
Step 1: Adopt and implement the Android 13 fundamentals as Google has originally envisioned it. For Example, System Photo Picker , Consolidated Text and Display Size, Privacy Dashboard (A12), Scrolling Screenshot(A12). Android 12 animations are some of best out there to take inspiration from.
Step 2: Fix all Android 12/13 inconsistencies. For Example, Brightness Slider and Volume Slider in the Quick Settings and Home Screen respectively is different to what sliders are being implemented in the settings menu.
Step 3: Make good for all the poor decision making (implementation) with Android 12/13. For Example, Internet toggle in the Quick Settings: I am yet to understand what practical purpose does it serve, rather it introduces an additional step to toggle on/off the Wifi. It would be an absolute no-brainer to divide it in two separate toggle as it always was, namely Wifi toggle and Mobile Data toggle. Another alternative can be to leave the option to user’s discretion. Provide both Unified Internet toggle option and Divided Wifi, Mobile Data toggle in the settings menu and let the users choose it.
Step 4: Carry through consistent illustrations and graphical elements all across the Operating System.
Step 5: Integrate on top Value Added Essential Features which makes Android inherently feature rich like App Locker, Dual Apps, Fingerprint Gesture (Launching Apps while unlocking through FP Scanner), Google Lens integrated in the Camera App itself, Hidden Space, Robust Customisation Settings etc. (Add your favourite features from different Android Skins in the reply)
Step 6: Build Helpful System Apps with the same cohesive TE inspired iconic design language all across. I would love to see freshly designed Dialer, Messages, Contacts, Photos/Gallery, Camera, Weather, Recorder and Tools App with all the modern necessary features which Google alternative lacks.
Step 7: Left to Home Screen can be used for serving an useful at a glance of multiple Data and Information Set. I personally absolutely loved the concept of OnePlus Shelf though an ideal left to Home Screen would be the combination of OnePlus Shelf + Google Now (Where the Boarding Pass fetched from the Email App can be shown as a card form, a to-do list, Shipment Tracking Progress/Timeline, Cricket Score, Football Score, Parking Location etc.). I absolutely don’t know why anyone would want Google Discover feed as the left most screen as what I understood it has nothing to offer other than spammy articles and some breaking news.
Step 8: Bringing back the great past Android features which got removed in later versions. For Example, the Power Menu from Android 11.
Step 9: Add Smart Features consistently with OTA Updates, harnessing the full potential of the AI Engine in Snapdragon SoCs.
Step 10: Regular Monthly/Bi-Monthly Security + Quality Updates (At the very least). Though I don’t think many people use their Android Phones for 4+ years still 4 Years if Android OS updates and 5 Years of Security Updates should be new norm (Equalling to Samsung Update Policy, There’s no place for No.2 in this world)
Misc: I would like them to implement AI Software developed (by other startups/companies) in different aspects being implemented in the Nothing OS. For Example, Luminar AI being implemented in the Photos/Gallery App for a robust Photo Editing Suite. (Using Google Photos would invariably mean the best editing toggles are hidden under the Google One Subscription Paywall), System Level Haptics Implementation.
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This post was written prior to the March Event where we got the glimpse of the Nothing OS. The main points were:
- Best of Android (Distilling the OS to just the essentials where every byte has a purpose) + Iconic Design Language
- Why duplicate the great apps that the Google has already made: They’ll be using Google Communication Suite of Apps and possibly Photos.
- Unified Graphics, Design Consistency throughout the System, Minimal Stripped Back Animations, Smooth and Uniform Experience)
- 3 Years of OS Updates + 4 Years of Security Updates (They need to think about this, you can’t take on Apple without being the nest that Android could possibly offer)
- Bespoke fonts, colors and Graphical Elements: Unique Visual Language
- Unique Sound Design
- TE inspired Recorder App.
- Tight Integration with 3rd Party Products.
Recommendation: They can customise the Google Communication Suite of Apps (Like what Samsung did with the Google Messages App) as per country specific needs. For Example, In India Call Recording w/o announcement is very popular and is considered as an essential feature, Google messages lack some essential features that can be added in the customised version).
