Nothing Concept 1: Carl Pei's Tobacco Pipe-Inspired Design

Nothing: From Concept to Buzzworthy Hardware Company

Over recent months, Carl Pei, a co-founder of OnePlus, has successfully transformed his vision for “Nothing” into a highly discussed hardware company. This achievement is particularly notable considering the limited information the company has publicly shared regarding its future products.

To date, Nothing has secured approximately $22 million in funding, including a $15 million Series A round finalized last month, with GV leading the investment.

First Product Announcement: Wireless Earbuds

Nothing recently revealed plans to launch its inaugural product – wireless earbuds – during the summer months. This entry point is a well-established and competitive market for a startup positioning itself as innovative.

Interestingly, similar skepticism was voiced regarding smartphones before the 2014 release of the OnePlus One, a product that ultimately proved quite successful.

Nothing’s Core Philosophy and “Concept 1”

In a recent blog post, Pei elaborated on Nothing’s underlying philosophy and introduced “Concept 1,” a preview of the company’s first product. This can be considered a glimpse into what is almost a finished product.

While the post employs a similar enthusiastic tone to Apple’s product announcements, Pei ultimately highlights an approach that, in several respects, contrasts with that of the Cupertino-based tech giant.

Design and Technological Approach

The product features a semi-transparent design, reflecting a philosophy centered around “No screens, no dedicated devices, just barely-noticeable technology that empowers us to be more human.”

Despite the company’s acquisition of Essential IP, the emphasis on a screen-less experience suggests that Nothing is unlikely to release a smartphone in the immediate future.

Inspiration and Design Partnership

The design draws inspiration from everyday objects. “Concept 1 takes inspiration from a grandmother’s tobacco pipe,” according to the company.

In late February, Nothing announced a collaboration with Teenage Engineering, appointing Jesper Kouthoofd, the design house’s CEO, as the hardware company’s design lead.

Building Anticipation and Expectations

Nothing deserves recognition for effectively leveraging the pre-release hype cycle. Benefiting from substantial funding and the positive reputation Pei cultivated during his tenure at OnePlus, the company’s initial release is becoming one of the most anticipated hardware announcements of the year.

This is a significant accomplishment, particularly for a product as common as a pair of wireless earbuds.