I guess this is kind of an appreciation post. I wanted to detail how I’ve found the nothing experience over the last few months.
At some point last year a post on X (formally known as Twitter 😏) caught my eye. I can’t remember it word for word but it was along the lines of “Nothing earbuds have the best sound quality”. Intrigued, I googled and came across the brand. As soon as I started browsing I remembered “it’s the phone with the lights guys”. As I already owned Airpod Pros (which I was already finding uncomfortable) I didn’t see the point investing in more in-ear pods.
The following week, a teaser dropped for Ear (open). I couldn’t believe my luck. I was certainly not going to miss the opportunity to try them out so I managed to snag a pair on Amazon.
Paired with my iPhone 15 Pro, the ear (open) worked wonders. There was no longer any need to let my ears suffer, and the AirPods were quickly yesterday’s news. I didn’t and still don’t miss noise cancellation. The comfort, sound quality, and controls were just worlds apart. Especially at the price point.
As weeks passed, and more time spent with my favourite new Ears, algorithms did their thing and everywhere I turned I saw nothing. The design ethos is kinda what drew me in. Having ‘fallen out of love’ with tech, and struggling to justify carrying a slab of titanium in my pocket I decided to hold my breath and take the plunge. I was going to do the unthinkable - switch from iOS to android.
I joke - it was mostly painless. I tend to use the Google over Apple alternative anyway (GMaps v AppleMaps, Drive & Photos v iCloud). The only issue I had was transferring music. I don’t stream so all of my music is purchased through iTunes. The iOS to android transfer app would move the files over but there was no sound when played! Trust Apple not to make it simple…
As I don’t have a personal computer anymore it just meant I had to download all my purchases (except the Apple forced U2 album 🙄) on my work computer, but then I could transfer through USB-C! Something so simple, I had forgot about since my days using a Pixel 2.
I still have my iPad mini which means I can still manage the Apple family account and devices so it’s not like I had to completely break free.
Anyway, the Nothing Phone 2(a) came just at the right time for me. iOS was becoming very (for lack of a better word) stale. The move to android would’ve been imminent, but I wouldn’t want to just be sinking my time into another device.
A lot of Nothing’s marketing towards me was focused around spending less time on devices, and this really spoke to me. As a 38 year old father of 2 young children, I want to encourage them to spend less time on their devices but I needed to lead by example. The fact I now have roughly 75% less time screen time is an alarming and shocking find.
My phone is now literally just that. A phone. It spends most of the time face down and I’ll occasionally turn it over when I see that essential notification come on (God send!). The Snake widget is so much fun, and the kids love the Simone Glyph memory game!
I think personally the only real downside really is when I don’t have my Fujifilm cameras with me. The camera can leave a lot to be desired. I think if you have the time to work with it, it’s pretty decent, but the odd time I’ve taken a quick snap, I’ve gone back and it’s just a blur as it’s taken the photo well after I’ve pressed. But that is really the only downside I’ve noticed.
I guess in conclusion, I’m sold on the nothing brand and can’t wait to see what comes next! Will always be hoping for a smaller phone but, I guess we’ll have to wait and see 😅
