Nothing, the company that first made waves with its smartphone ventures, is pivoting toward artificial intelligence. According to sources, the firm is now focusing more on AI-centric products than on Android smartphones, signaling a significant shift in strategy.
Carl Pei, the CEO and co-founder of Nothing, has backed this strategic change. He believes that shifting the company's focus will support long-term brand growth. The reorientation follows recent operational moves, such as the closing of several regional hubs. In addition, the company has conducted layoffs or restructuring efforts, as reported earlier.
New devices in the works
Despite this shift, Nothing isn't walking away from its mobile roots. The company is still developing several new products. The Nothing Smartwatch is one of the most notable. While the watch has been teased before, new images have now been shared, revealing its design in full. The lineup includes the CMF Ear Clip Buds, Nothing Headphones (Gen 2), and the CMF Speakers. All of them follow the company's signature transparent, circular design aesthetic. A new wearable also appears in the latest leaks, possibly a tracker of some sort. These upcoming devices are expected to integrate a stronger AI focus compared to their predecessors.
AI OS to come in 2027
Nothing introduced an AI operating system named Essential at the end of 2025. Unlike the Android-based Nothing OS it currently uses, Essential aims to build custom apps tailored to each user. Its official release is planned for 2027. However, with the company's new direction, it's still unclear whether Essential will move forward as originally intended. Meanwhile, the new audio devices and the Nothing Smartwatch are expected to launch in the coming months.
