The New Era of Hardware Is Heating Up!
We’ve entered a new era of hardware. AI is reshaping how we interact with technology, and soon, smartphones and computers may not exist in the forms we know today. My hope is to one day leverage technology without invasive hardware at all. Slowly, new options are emerging.
This week, Nothing Tech — a UK-based consumer hardware company — released the Nothing Phone (3), a refreshing glimpse into that future. It’s a sleek device that integrates AI directly into its physical form.
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, it features a quad 50MP camera system and a 6.67” 120Hz AMOLED display. On the back, a 489-dot LED matrix animates alerts, timers, music, and retro-style games – an interactive display that feels both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
AI shows up in useful ways. “Essential Search” works like a local LLM, letting users search their phone in natural language. “Flip to Record” captures conversations when placed face down, then auto-generates summaries. These are subtle, thoughtful integrations – not just AI for show.
The Nothing Phone (3) isn’t the fully non-invasive form factor I dream of, but it’s a step in the right direction.
In addition to the Phone (3), Nothing Tech also unveiled the more affordable Phone (3a) alongside Nothing Headphones (1)—a KEF-engineered over-ear headset with spatial audio and up to 80 hours of battery life.
Nothing’s fresh lineup highlights the broader shift: hardware is being reimagined.
Apple – are you watching?
Learn more about the Nothing Phone (3) here.
If you enjoy this post, please share it with a friend.
Godspeed – Rosebee
