Nothing has launched Playground, an app store featuring user-designed, AI-generated applications that can be created through written prompts alone. The London-based smartphone company positions this as the “first step towards an AI-native operating system,” though the platform runs on Android and represents more of an interface layer than a true OS replacement.
What you should know: Playground is part of Nothing’s broader Essential product line, which includes several AI tools already in use.
- Essential encompasses “all our AI-related products,” according to founder and CEO Carl Pei, including an existing AI search tool and Essential Space for organizing voice notes and images.
- Users can create simple apps through Essential Apps, an AI-powered tool that builds applications from written descriptions alone.
- The platform is exclusive to Nothing phones, except the Phone 1, which no longer receives major updates.
How it works: The app creation process currently requires users to design widgets through a web platform before installing them on their phones or sharing them in Playground.
- Nothing suggests potential applications like mood trackers that sync with music playlists, receipt-to-expenses pipelines, or wardrobe suggestion apps based on upcoming appointments.
- Users can take and remix apps created by others, similar to how open source communities collaborate and build upon each other’s work.
- Over time, Pei envisions app creation becoming “more and more seamless,” taking place directly on phones through voice commands.
The bigger picture: Pei sees this evolving into a more proactive smartphone experience where devices adapt to user behavior.
- Future phones could automatically change app placement or suggest applications based on usage patterns, though this would still operate as an interface layer rather than a true operating system.
- The platform could spawn a new creator economy similar to YouTube’s model, though Pei says monetization isn’t a current focus until the platform reaches sufficient scale.
What they’re saying: Pei acknowledges the semantic flexibility around calling this an “operating system.”
- “I guess the word or the noun ‘OS’ could be interpreted in different ways,” he told The Verge.
- “We’re not touching the lower level code,” Pei explains. “Android is a great platform to build upon, and Android already has a rich developer ecosystem.”
- When asked about replacing traditional apps, Pei responds: “When am I ready to say goodbye to apps? You know, not anytime soon.”
Current limitations: The platform remains in early stages with significant constraints on functionality.
- Users can only create widgets at launch, which limits the complexity and capabilities of applications.
- Traditional apps like Instagram and TikTok still need to be downloaded separately when setting up new phones.
- Nothing has no plans to abandon Android or develop lower-level system code.
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