British smartphone maker Nothing on Tuesday (30/9) introduced Playground, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool that allows users to create applications using text commands and run them on a platform called Essential Apps.
According to a TechCrunch report on Tuesday (30/9), Playground currently allows users to create simple applications such as flight trackers, upcoming meeting schedule summaries, and virtual pets from scratch using text commands.
Additionally, users can customize existing apps in Essential Apps to their needs or tweak the code to enhance their functionality.
Nothing states that Playground does not yet allow developers to create full-screen apps, as the technology is not yet mature enough.
Playground was released weeks after Nothing raised $200 million in a funding round led by Tiger Global.
Nothing CEO Carl Pei said the company wants to build an operating system with AI features in addition to developing new AI-centric devices.
In a conversation with TechCrunch last week, Pei said that smartphone manufacturers are reluctant to change software.
"Something that always bothers me is why don't we improve the software? A lot of people see what big companies like Apple do and follow suit because it's a safer way," he said.
"I think software iteration is very slow," he added.
He believes operating systems can become more personal with AI breakthroughs.
"Our devices have so much context about us, but it's not being leveraged right now," he said.
Also read: Nothing will become a subsidiary of CMF, releasing pocket-friendly "gadgets"
So far Nothing has only released one AI app, called Essential Space.
The app lets users share screenshots, record voice notes, and create meeting transcriptions.
However, most modern smartphone operating systems already support similar features or allow users to install third-party AI apps on their devices.
Nothing currently does not charge for its AI devices.
Pei said the company is focused on building an active community around new tools and rewarding people who make good contributions.
