Nothing Launches Playground AI Tool for Mini Apps Creation

Nothing, a smartphone maker known for its minimalist designs, has launched Playground, an AI-powered tool that enables users to create and customize mini-apps in the form of widgets using simple text prompts. These widgets can be shared and installed through Essential Apps, a lightweight app hub that functions as a minimal app store, marking an early step toward Nothing's vision of an AI-native operating system. While Playground currently supports only widget creation and customization, with full-screen app development not yet possible, it empowers non-technical users to build personalized tools easily. CEO Carl Pei highlighted that smartphone software innovation is progressing too slowly and sees AI breakthroughs as a way to transform operating systems into more personal, context-aware experiences. This initiative aligns with Nothing's broader strategy to transition from a hardware-centric company to one with a stronger software identity, following a recent $200 million funding round led by Tiger Global. Though the company has a modest market share, it aims to leverage its position to develop AI-centric devices and software, distinguishing itself from dominant app ecosystems like those of Apple and Google.