[Stiri IT] Nothing phone quirky design aims to light up market

[REFLX]

UK-based company Nothing has launched an Android phone it hopes will re-energise the smartphone market.

The distinctive-looking Nothing 1 has a translucent back featuring hundreds of light-emitting diode (LED) lights that function as notifications.

Nothing raised more than $144m (£122) in funding to develop the handset.

Backers include iPhone designer Tony Fadell, YouTuber Casey Neistat, and gaming channel Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin.

Teething problems
Nothing 1's creator, China-born Carl Pei, 32, who co-founded phone company OnePlus and is highly regarded in the smartphone industry, told BBC News he wanted to "make tech fun again" - for consumers and investors.

The company says it has received more than 200,000 requests for pre-orders of the £399 phone - about half the price of an average iPhone - manufactured in China and India.

The company also has ambitions to create a luxury product and Mr Pei says he hopes to collaborate with electric-car manufacturer Tesla.

Nothing has sold more than half a million units of its first product - wireless, noise-cancelling headphones Ear 1, launched in August - despite software teething problems.

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