Nothing, the new company of the co-founder of OnePlus, announces the arrival of Adam Bates as its new head of design. Should we expect super original products?
Let’s be honest, normally we wouldn’t have talked about the arrival of a new design director in a start-up. However, the arrival of Adam Bates at Nothing does not seem insignificant to us. First because the man spent 14 years at Dyson as a designer (he even led the team at the end of his epic), then because Nothing is a more than intriguing brand. Founded by Carl Pei, the iconic co-founder of OnePlus known for his very Steve Jobs-inspired style (he claims to be a huge fan himself), Nothing is a company with immense potential. Future tech giant or just gifted com? It is too early to tell.
Private company seeks private designer
After seven years at OnePlus, Carl Pei created “Nothing” in September 2020, his new tech company. Based in London (which makes them a European company!), Nothing first launched transparent headphones. We had tested them and loved them, rare are the products as good at 99 euros. Of course, Nothing is aiming a little higher than the headphone market. Very transparent in its operation (as with its designs), the brand claims to have started with a market that it qualifies as “easy”. His next challenges will be tougher.
By recruiting Adam Bates, Nothing makes it clear that it does not intend to launch “ordinary” devices. After the transparent headphones, should we expect other transparent products? Nothing recently bought out Essential, Andy Rubin’s company, which also wanted to make different products. She highlights in a press release published on January 28 the vacuum cleaners, purifiers, hair dryers and curling irons from Dyson, products on which Adam Bates has worked. They also stand out for their originality and their colors.
If it is difficult to decide on a date, it seems clear that Carl Pei will set out to conquer the smartphone one day. The arrival of Adam Bates, who will be based in his new “Design Hub” in London, suggests that the brand’s first smartphone will not be a vulgar copy of the iPhone or the Galaxy S. No need to tell you that we are hyped, at the risk of being very disappointed in a few months.