Well here we almost are, the end of another Gregorian Calendar Year.
The Year 2024.
I thought I would start this thread to allow us all to have a moment of reflection, our year with this company, Nothing. So without further ado, let me breakdown the year’s headlines:
First off, we had January and the following Headlines:
Then we swiftly entered February:
- Nothing Phone (2a) is revealed!
- Glyph Developer Kit is released. Some wonderful Community members have already applied their expertise with this!
- End of the month, (2a) Launch Drops and Photowalks are announced and take place!
That then rolls us into March:
- Phone (2a) Officially Launches!
- But what is this? An Industry First?! The Community Edition Project is announced.
- Another month, and another Pokémon?! What is Cleffa?
We didn’t have to wait too long, as in April, we get some answers:
- First ever Community Reacts, they react to the yet unseen Ear and Ear (a)!
- The aforementioned products launch! Ear and Ear (a)!
Onto May:
Here comes June, and we are halfway through the year:
July rolls around:
August is a quiet month, but brings the end of the Dots Programme.
Swiftly into September Surprises:
October is full of treats:
November brings:
Finally, we arrive at December:
- Community Widgets App - Snake!
- Our latest Community Board Observer is revealed, as voted by the Community. Congratulations Adam!
So that is a very, very brief round up of the year, through Nothing’s Headlines.
However, I wanted to reflect on this year from a personal point. I shall use the headlines as markers, but here it goes, my year with Nothing.
I started my year off in the midst of an (insider) test for Nothing Phone (2a). This was a wonderful experience and one you can hear all about in my review. But I spent the first few days of January snapping shots with the DVT (Design Validation Test) device, testing out its “Fresh Eyes” via lovely frosty canal walks with my fianceé, well not quite fianceé at this point, but I digress.
Middle of January rolls around, and thanks to @RapidZapper - I was able to acquire a new, sealed Ear (1). Unfortunately my original set, was lost somewhere on the National Rail network, so very happy to have this product back in my possession and yes, it’s still sealed!
February quickly rolls around, and I visit a Card Show, I have gotten back into collecting Pokémon cards at the back end of 2023, and I have enjoyed expanding this hobby in 2024, and hopefully more in 2025. But also in February the “Fresh Eyes” design and posters start to crop up in Central London, so I join in with the fun and games on Social Media.
Feb is also a major change for me, leaving one job for another, and also getting engaged! But March is here, and so is the London Drop event for Phone (2a). I head to the Soho Store, and see some friends, new faces and enjoy the festivities at the store…including @Allelujah and his camping chair! Well done to the Store team for another successful launch! 🔥
With the launch of the Phone (2a), I convinced some family members to pick up a couple for their much needed phone upgrades. Community Edition inspires me to give Blender a go, for the Hardware Design Stage submission. At the end of April, I snap a picture of my collection of Nothing products and merch. See the thread here. Also, in April, I am fortunate enough to film Community Reacts for Ear and Ear (a), which was another wonderful experience and one which I enjoyed…especially after testing Ear as an (insider) again!
May comes and goes, but June is full of more fun! Another round of filming for “Community Reacts”, more surprises with the CMF range of products. July, I finally post enough on this forum to be in the “Top Posters this Month”, whilst the numbers still included the Team and Mods!
Another few stages for the Community Edition have passed by, but me and @AnnieLou submit an entry for the final Stage, Marketing! A very fun experience and a great initiative by Nothing for this new era of Community Co-Creation.
August, gone, September is here! Nothing Ear (Open) is here and that means another drop at the Soho Store in London! Managed to cop a frisbee and limited edition t-shirt, even though I don’t own Ear (Open), yet…
October is always a favourite month, not only because it is my birthday month, but the colder and cosier nights seem to roll-in. At the end of the month, I am invited along to celebrate the launch of the much anticipated Community Edition, freshly revealed to be Phone (2a) Plus! A great party all round to celebrate the Co-Creators from the Community and their achievements with the team. Video is viewable from here!
November comes and my freshly purchased Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition arrives and replaces my Phone (2), now gifted to my sister. CE is a stunning device and I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to purchase and use this phone in my every day to day. November is also super special, as we celebrate my Dad’s wedding, and being the best man, along with my brother gives me memories I will cherish to the end of my days. CBO applications are open, and I drop my name in the hat. Lucky to reach the Video Screening stage and honoured to those who encouraged me here and on socials.
Then we end here, in December. Another Community event, back to the arcades! An event that is similar to the one that occurred last year, with Community Members battling it out on Mario Kart for some goodies…even as the reigning champion, I falter on this year’s tournament ladder. But redeemed by @AnnieLou as she takes home 2nd Place and some wonderful items!
As I write this, it is Christmas Eve, all of the excitement of this holiday season is well and truly everywhere. We have a new CBO, Adam, who is such a friendly face at every event I have had the pleasure of going to. Super excited to see where the journey goes with our new CBO and every surprise that Nothing could throw at us. We had some wonderful new product categories added this year, so we could see some more next year? We all expect Phone (3), but what else could 2025 bring?
Lots of excitement for 2025, but a lot of admiration for what has been achieved in 2024. Rohit has gone from Community member, to CBO and now part of the team itself, what an achievement and following in Rob’s footsteps too!
That is all from me, I know I have rambled on a bit! But it has been one full year of joy following Nothing’s journey.
This thread is open for everyone to post their reflections too. I cannot wait to see everyone’s 2024 story.
Until next time,
Ryan (Ealesy101).
