Our first step towards an AI-native operating system

Rob ⚡️ · 2025-09-30T12:00:00+00:00

**https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NanJxbbyZJ8** For decades, our devices have treated us all the same. Rows of apps designed for everyone. Inside operating systems built to monetise attention instead of amplify creativity. But technology doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. We believe it should be personal, adaptive, and genuinely under your control. > *“With Essential, we begin to chip away at the outdated and elitist system set up by the legacy market leaders. A new era requires new thinking. The future of software will be one of unrestricted access, collective innovation, and hyper personalisation. Moats of the past will be dismantled, opening the door to a truly user-led future."* said @"Carl"#34 - Hear more in [our latest Nothing TV episode](https://youtu.be/uZRK60JNA54 "Nothing YouTube"). Essential marks the first step in Nothing’s next chapter: turning foundational AI into hyper-personalised experiences that help in daily life, while breaking away from the rigid and walled gardens that define today’s smartphones - where devices adapt to people, not the other way around. To bring this vision to life we are introducing Essential Apps and Playground. ## **✨ Essential Apps** ![](https://cdn.nothing.community/2025-09-30/1759220894-352922-n-essapp-169-large.jpg "banner") With Essential, anyone can create their own apps in seconds using natural language. Just describe what you need. For example, capture the receipts from your camera roll and export a finance ready PDF every Friday. Or before your calls, show a one page brief based on your calendar and message threads. Or create a mood tracker that syncs with a music playlist. AI instantly generates an Essential App that you can add to your home screen. These apps are a first step towards creating a hyper personalised smartphone experience. They build towards a future where your phone shapes itself around who you are. **Note:** **Essential Apps is in alpha.** Join the waitlist for early access. We're opening up the access in waves to ensure the best experience. Essential Apps are designed to be light and efficient. To keep your Nothing phone running smoothly, there’s a temporary limit on how many Essential Apps you can use with Nothing OS 4. Phone (3) supports up to *6 widgets*, while other models support *up to 2*. We’re working to increase this number. If you encounter any issues please email playground@nothing.tech and we will improve it promptly. ## **🎨 Playground** ![](https://cdn.nothing.community/2025-09-30/1759229220-621525-n-playground-169-large.jpg "banner") Playground is a new space for building, re-mixing, sharing and downloading community built creations. Playground is the home for the creativity of millions of Nothing members. It is open for everyone to contribute to and enjoy, free from the constraints of traditional app stores. Here you can explore community made creations like Essential Apps, Glyph Toys, Camera Presets and EQ Profiles. Playground is the creative heart of Essential. If you want to create Essential Apps in Playground, you need to apply for creation permission on the website. Essential’s Playground is now open to everyone at[ playground.nothing.tech](http://playground.nothing.tech). ‎ ## **📝 Essential Space, Search and Memory** Essential Space and Essential Search are already helping you capture ideas, organise inspirations and find information instantly. Now we are introducing **Essential Memory**. It brings everything together by learning your habits and surfacing forgotten details when you need them most. Coming soon. All of this is private by design. Data stays local unless you choose otherwise, with full transparency whenever the cloud is used. Learn more about Essential at [Essential.com](http://essential.com)

RakeshSingh_dvLmy32DNX

Good

shadoe17

Essential search is kinda meh rn but that’s expected, hyped about what’s to come 😸

RakeshSingh_dvLmy32DNX

mackie_cmf nice

MaxVelthuizen

Wow, don’t expect something like this but it looks very nice.

kruso-tech

Say I wanted to route notification audio through bluetooth or headphones so I can actually tell what notification I’m getting while driving or listening to music in my home? Could I make an app with an on/off button widget that has access to that level of the system?

Shxtic

kruso-tech i dont think so, essential would need an API to acsess that data

robertKanalos

Will be available this on Phone 2a?

mackie_cmf

We need wallpapers themed around this playground vibe!!! This video is very vibrant, and we need these wallpapers!!

Lukas_F

These announcements are all very exciting, but perhaps it would be nice if the team first finished the Essential Search, which was announced months ago and still doesn’t work in the way it’s supposed to work.

pnknot

Lukas_F I believe it’s just to build hype. It’s being called essential app but to access it you need to visit website. There’s no app?

SG96🚀

A GameChanger In Software In Tech Industry Loading..

Spandan

I am trying to download the Essential Apps on My 3aPro. But i really can’t find a way to make it work. How am I supposed to install it?

Lukas_F

Spandan For now, Essential Apps are only available on Nothing OS 4.0 and Nothing OS 4.0 is not officially released yet. You can only get the beta on Phone 3, 2 and 2a, but not for 3a. As a 3a user I am a little sad about this, but I understand that great things take time.

Cedrik

Wow I’m stunned…

Just yesterday I was wondering why there wasn’t a central hub for the community to create stuff, and now there is.

imnotmikolaj

Rob ⚡️ please add all the essential space features to nothing phone 2a / 2a plus. I really want to try it 😭.

Spandan

imnotmikolaj I think maybe they’ll create an app for the Essential Space in 4.0. But since 2a series doesn’t have the essential button. It might be boring for some people to go and add the screenshots there. I have 3a Pro and I’ll be honest with you it’s definitely a great feature but I haven’t really felt like I can’t do without it.

jakob_0805

Rob ⚡️

Wird es auch Essential apps geben, die man auch ohne die Beta von OS 4.0 nutzen kann?

Spandan

Lukas_F I recently bought 3a Pro. Gave my 2a to my Dad. It feels kind of funny that he gets the update before me 😭

M_Alamin

Spandan Same thing

MerlijnJorritsma_kuHTiKUM2w

Will it come to phone (1)?

Err_404NotFound

MerlijnJorritsma_kuHTiKUM2w Phone 1 has been discontinued unfortunately… It will not receive any OS upgrades now. It will only get another year of Security updates.

Ahmed20

MerlijnJorritsma_kuHTiKUM2w no

QwertyN

Err_404NotFound why it is not available on phone 2 despite having the beta?

odetojamie

mackie_cmf if its not android dead on arrival

4ki

Rob ⚡️ How to join the waitlist for Essential Apps?

JPK108

4ki Same question for me!