anunayC Awesome idea and concept, couldn’t agree more with what you said.

Beta testing not only can be useful, it can also foster the sense of community. People with passion will always be willing to help the company and I do see a lot of people with passion around the forums.

That group can also be the bridge between the company and the customers who prefer to remain on the stable channels.

I would love to see this happening, perhaps even with different kinds of beta testing channels, some of them pending an NDA.

The group could be used to not just test the ear (1) firmware updates, but also the official app, for example.

    Related discussions
    4 days later

    [deleted] I completely agree with you about the “global” description. And I do feel this Community is the world under a microscope. A concentrated melting pot of thoughts and needs.

    You know, Puscifer has a song called “Simultaneous” where it’s mentioned something that can be applied to this - and or any - Community:

    “We will never know world peace, until three people can simultaneously look each other straight in the eye”.

    A company launches a product and the feedback is out of their hands, it becomes external. They cannot control it. What they can do is foster a selected group of individuals that are willing to “simultaneously look each other straight in the eye”, and respect the opinion of a mind other than their own.

    It’s exactly what you mentioned, “different backgrounds and cultures” can and should be part of a better, more informed vision of the potential of a product. We are contributing to something that only gets better if the choir has more individuals and more diversified voices.

    Betas should be a collection of points of view that better prepare something for mass consumption. The more of that mass is represented in the first line of assertiveness, the better will be the shape of any given product.

      10 days later

      Hey everyone,

      Looks like the staff isn’t really active or maybe just missed this thread.

      @Cheetosdust would it be possible for you to help me amplify this in any way?

      Maybe a staff member can check if this program can be possible!

        anunayC Hello,

        I believe Staff Members are just busy with the launch, perhaps dealing with some fine-tuning of the whole process behind the scenes. But I think that will change soon.

        The position for Community Manager was removed from the Careers page and today is the start of a new month. Therefore, I truly believe Nothing’s presence here on the forums will change soon. It needs to, anyway.

        It has to be the Community Manager job, supported by the Moderators and the “Community Board Member”, to pay attention to great ideas like this one. Not only is this valuable feedback, it can change the connection between the company and customers/fans.

        Anything I can do, know that I will root for this to come to fruition. Testing programs should be a pivotal step for a community-driven company. Nothing is still giving its first steps and this should be, clearly, one of them.

          Hello, appreciate the suggestion and from my personal experience, users feedback adds huge value in the development process. The biggest commitment to such program is uncompromising confidentiality as otherwise it can hurt brand plans. We acknowledge your request.

          @Carl @Akis @David

            manu That’s completely understandable, but with an airtight NDA, that confidentiality can be held to the highest standards since day zero.

            And not only that, but it’s easy to assume that, if a program like this becomes a reality, Nothing would only invite members who tirelessly showed their commitment before the invite happens.

            Especially when a new product is launched, I truly believe that having beta testing in any shape or form can be a reliable and useful safety net.

                Cheetosdust

                Can just agree with you. Such testing programs always give a “broader” feedback especially because people who work everyday on a new product can oversee problems as they get “blind” for them.

                Sure people could leak stuff.. But that’s why just active and trustworthy people should get access to such a program. Make them sign an NDA and just invite a few people slowly over time till you reach your maximum, so it’s easier to find out leaker if there are any.

                    Kastello The internal team being “blinded” by their product and the tunnel vision they develop during months and years is an excellent point.

                    New sets of fresh eyes implicate new usage scenarios too. Beta testing broadens how the software and hardware is forced to communicate in conditions that naturally resemble the general public.

                    Trust is gradually gained and suddenly lost. Like we mentioned, a strong NDA and a hand-picked selection of users can emulsify the sense of camaraderie while giving the company a much needed extension of their testing.

                    We were talking about this on other threads, but it’s easy to spot some members who are willing to and who are capable of actively helping Nothing in distinct facets. It’s a case of cherry-picking and giving their voices, talents and willingness a megaphone.

                      11 days later
                      16 days later

                      I think this would be a great idea especially if you’ve already got experience providing feedback your pre-release products.

                        Wesley_2412 I agree with you, people with previous experience can provide useful feedback in an expedited manner.

                        However, if this program ever comes to exist, I would love if Nothing is capable of doing things differently, giving some members one of their first opportunities.

                        We all started somewhere. Imagine if a few members of this Community are dedicated to the forums and were never part of a program like that. If this is their first chance, not only they can thrive, I am sure they’ll never forget Nothing taking a chance on them.

                          5 days later

                          The idea is nice for sure. I know that some brands send some test products to YouTubers but Nothing can definitely run it within its own community.

                          As @manu has mentioned though, the confidentiality has to be guranteed.

                          Obviously we all will say to @Rudi @manu and @Carl that we won’t tell anyone but some peple might do it by accident. As an ex-fas on OnePlus I would also love to become a part of such a group but the question of confidentiality obviously will make the group as small as possible, which is totally okay and understandable.

                            2 months later

                            Yes anunayC we’re looking into establishing a proper program beginning of next year. It’ll be aimed at the community Power Users to start with. Keep engaging here and one day I might knock on your door with a mission. 😉

                            (not literally though, my travelling budget is a bit restrained)