Why would Nothing move away from Glyph?

Dylan_B

So I was mulling over what has been teased about Phone(3) and what we can expect. I got hung up on the question of “Why would Nothing kill the Glyph Interface?”. It’s such a unique selling point and is so clearly identifiable if you’re in the know.

It got me thinking about a few reasons I might do the same and I thought I’d pose them to the community and see if anyone else agrees/disagrees and what other reasons might be out there.

Minimal usage

Perhaps feedback through the community, internally or even externally has highlighted that users don’t actually use the Glyph interface as intended. I know I’ve certainly not made the most of the Glyph features as much as I could.
Tricky integrations

Phone(2)'s marketing highlighted integrations with Uber and Zomato with the Glyph interface, but I don’t believe we’ve seen the same marketing for Phone(2a)/(3a), could this highlight a lack of adoption from third-parties? Was there some technical challenges that came with utilising the Glyphs to their full potential?
Reserving for the (a) series
Speaking of the (a) series, could it be that the Glyph interface isn’t in-fact fully dead, but instead will be seen on any future (a) series. If the Glyph is being replaced by something more flagship-worthy, perhaps the Glyph interface will live on, just not on the flagship line up!
Utilisation of space

Phones are already densely packed, feature rich and costly. Perhaps a decision has been made to better utilise the space within the phone for another feature. Obviously this argument comes up around the 3.5mm jack and while I imagine the Glyph interface would require less space, it’s more spread across the phone and I imagine that could lead to other limitations. What if we’ve scarified Glyph, but instead gained space for the magnets required for Qi2? I would probably make that trade myself!

I have several other theories, but I’d love to hear what everyone else thinks!

Nicouschulas

Dylan_B

I use the glyph also a lot. I think they come up with something better.

The glyphs have massive potential which isn’t used. That’s a reason why some not using it.

ronnelapilado

I use the glyph a lot tho. NP2a user here

Ealesy101

You raise some good questions here, Dylan.

I tend to utilise the following functions of the Glyph on a frequent basis:

Essential Glyph - This is wonderful for me, as it allows me to put my phone down and only pick it up when my Essential Glyph lights up. Means I can focus more on work/personal life and it keeps my screen hours down.
Flip to Glyph - As someone who runs their phone on vibrate almost 100% of the time, I wouldn’t have thought this feature mattered as much. However, being able to place my Phone (2a) Plus with its screen down which then silences and stops the vibrations is so intuitive and user-friendly. Once again. stopping me from reaching for my phone all that often, because I cannot hear the new notifications.
Glyph Timer - Another useful tool for me to really knuckle down and focus on something for a period of time. Having the visualisation of just that bar slowly creeping down is motivational. It holds me accountable, gives me a timer, without being able to see the rest of my screen and the distractions it could bring.

As a little bonus, I have really enjoyed the Glyph Composer over the years, as it gives my nieces and nephew something to enjoy, for very little effort on my part. They enjoy making the lights flash, whilst “composing” their little masterpieces. It was during a Competition on X (Formerly Twitter) where my Niece created a composition using the, then new, Swedish House Mafia pack to win me a set of Black Ear (2)s 🔥

I will miss the Glyph Interface if it is indeed gone from Phone (3) onwards. However, I am certain that it will be evolved upon or replaced with something much more intuitive and versatile. I cannot wait to see what the future brings and I shall enjoy the Glyph on my device whilst I have it.

megatomic

Ealesy101 Ryan, that’s awesome about your niece! 💙

Uday

Ealesy101 Same exact opinions about glyphs including nephews and nieces lol, I also entertain them with music viz 🔥

Adam

I mean, the glyph interface was always supposed to be a minimalist communicator of information, right? They are definitely replacing it with a dot matrix, which is a significant upgrade in this mission, allowing much more meaningful data to be shown on the back of the device.
I am literally 96% sure there will be a dot matrix instead. I think this is the right way to go, but for those who think the glyphs were never fully utilized, it is definitely a bummer.

Ealesy101

megatomic - they really do enjoy it, so it was a win, win all round! 🙌🏼

Uday - it is an easy way to entertain the little ones, that’s for sure 😊

ronnelapilado

Also, when capturing photos of people, with all other phones raised taking photos, the glyph catches the person’s attention that leads to a good shot.

Nicouschulas

ronnelapilado

Yes and the timer is so useful, finally I know when the picture is taken