Consumer Tech startup Nothing had declared that it has several audio products in its goodie bag. In fact, it announced its first product – Nothing Ear 1 in May 2021. Talking about the launch, Carl Pei, Founder, Nothing had said that the company had come a long way since its founding in late October 2020. The company has kept the product a top-secret for a long time. Even in previews, short films from the makes, etc, it blurs the picture of the earbuds. So, all the company has announced that it aims to keep its product at a bare minimum, or essentials. It wants to create a tech to ease life without getting in the way of it. There is power in less, the company stated.
But, apart from the INR 5,999 price range, availability on July 27, and partnership with Flipkart, the company has not announced any feature or specification for Nothing Ear 1. Although starting with true wireless earphones, Nothing reportedly has a wider range of products in the works. The company had, in early-2021, acquired smartphone maker Essential to further its goodie bag. The acquisition, the company stated does not come in line with furthering the tech of Essential, but the name trademark, as Essential is one of the names the company aims to use for its products.
Announcing the launch, the team at Nothing states, “The Nothing ear 1 launch begins at 6:30 PM IST (14:00 BST)
Nothing Ear 1 Price and Competitors
The company in a previous statement has said that for the Indian Market, Ear 1 would be priced at INR 5,999. For other markets, a Tech Crunch report quotes Carl Pei, stating, “I think it’s going to be a good price at $99, €99 and £99. Feature-wise, it’s similar to the AirPods Pro, but the AirPods Pro is $249.”
At this price, Nothing Ear 1 competes with Samsung Galaxy Buds and Google Pixel Buds-A. But due to its active noise cancellation and Air Pods-like feature, it will surely have an upper hand; even on Sony's latest cutting-edge buds priced at $280. Further, the company has teased a transparent design - “stripped-down aesthetic”, as they call it, designed in collaboration with Teenage Engineering which will open doors to budget buyers with aesthetics. The company will also offer its first tech via Flipkart.
• Product name: Ear 1
• Product type: True Wireless Earbuds
• Launch date: July 27
• Availability: Flipkart
• Price: INR 5,999
About Nothing
ex-OnePlus CoFounder Carl Pei announced Nothing in January 2021. The forward-thinking consumer tech brand aims to lead the way for a new era of personal technology. It aims to launch an ecosystem of unique smart devices, of top quality and simple to use. “Our mission is to remove barriers between people and technology; to create a seamless digital future that looks, lives, and feels like nothing,” states Carl Pei.
It is privately held and venture-funded by GV (formerly Google Ventures). Other investors also include Tony Fadell (Principal at Future Shape & Inventor of the iPod), Casey Neistat (YouTube personality and Co-founder of Beme), Kevin Lin (Co-founder of Twitch), and Steve Huffman (Co-founder and CEO of Reddit).