Nothing, the smartphone maker, is pushing a vision of AI-powered software that adapts to users, rather than the other way around. Their “Essential Apps Builder” lets anyone create custom widgets using plain language prompts. The idea is compelling – but the current execution feels more like a proof-of-concept than a reliable tool.
The Vision: AI-Native Personalization
Last year, Nothing outlined an “AI-native operating system” meant to deeply personalize devices. While not a full OS, the company’s AI layer, “Essential,” aims to deliver that experience through small, AI-designed widgets available in their Playground app store. These widgets are built using the Apps Builder – describe what you want, and the AI generates it. No coding knowledge needed, though it doesn’t hurt.
The system is iterative: Builder asks clarifying questions, and you can refine results instead of starting over. This makes simple tasks easy: a water-tracking widget with a smiley reward for hydration, or a calendar-linked appointment display both worked smoothly on the first attempt. Even customizing a mood widget with emoji updates was straightforward.
Where It Falls Short: Functionality and Reliability
However, ambition reveals the limitations. Trying to cram complex functionality into widget-sized spaces breaks down quickly. A shopping list only showed one item, and text often cut off mid-sentence. Location data proved unreliable, displaying multiple forecasts instead of the user’s current one.
More critically, some apps simply don’t work. A Pomodoro timer stopped as soon as the phone locked, rendering it useless, and a photo widget failed entirely. Even the AI-powered “fix” button couldn’t resolve these issues. The problem isn’t the concept, but the gap between “it works” and “I’d actually use this.”
Limitations and Future Plans
Currently, the Apps Builder is limited to Nothing Phone (3) and supports only two widget sizes. Connections are restricted to location, contacts, and calendar. But Nothing plans to expand functionality to include internet data, media access, Bluetooth connections, and additional widget sizes (including 1×2 and 4×4 layouts) by late March. A wider device support and public launch are planned, with a creator ecosystem where users can “remix” each other’s apps.
The Bigger Challenge: User Know-How
Beyond technical hurdles, the biggest obstacle may be the user. Even with an AI-powered tool, knowing what to ask for is critical. The system works well when the user has a clear idea, but vague prompts yield disappointing results. This highlights a broader pattern in AI tools: capability is only half the battle; usability requires expertise.
Ultimately, Nothing’s “vibe coding” approach is a bold experiment. Its success will depend on both technical refinement and bridging the gap between AI potential and user understanding.
