Tech has a problem. Think about your last few phones and earbuds – do any distinguishing features come to mind? Unlikely, and for that, we can thank the industry's unwavering focus on utility and minimalism.
Thankfully, Nothing exists to shake up the status quo, leading a tech revolution that marries performance with a highly stylized design language – from the Ear (1) to Phone (1), it's almost time to get familiar with the Ear (stick).
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to switch up my tech selection and dive into the world of Nothing. Having spent a good chunk of my teens on the Samsung Galaxy S series of phones before switching out to an iPhone and juggling between different AirPod and Beats audio models, bringing something unfamiliar into the mix was somewhat of a shock to the system.
With Nothing, however, everything feels native. You're thrown into a new user experience that begins with the products' packaging designs, each of which is well-considered to bring an element of fun.
Both interactive and captivating, each product in the Nothing arsenal thus far has been treated with a very distinct design language, which, naturally, has evolved further with the fashion-led Ear (stick).
A strange name for an audio product, yet one that only further leads the intriguing of a tech brand almost two years into its life; the Ear (stick) has been created to be just as interactive as it is performing and aesthetic.
"In recent years, consumer tech designs have been taken for granted by brands resulting in everything looking very similar to each other," Akis Evangelidis, Co-Founder and Head of Marketing at Nothing, told Highsnobiety.
"With Nothing, we wanted to create a unique design identity that was true to us and that would trigger a sense of joy and wonder when interacting with our products. For Ear (stick) we took inspiration from classic silhouettes in the cosmetics industry. Something that feels unique yet quite elegant and functional."
This unique inspiration, a first for the tech industry, put Nothing in a unique position to reveal the Ear (stick). Aligning with local fashion brand Chet Lo during London Fashion Week, the new device was worked into the designer's laterst seasonal pieces, highlighting new ways to wear tech.
It's these thoughtful applications with a clear stylistic, design-heavy focus that have allowed Nothing to carve out such a distinct lane in the tech industry. Aligning with retailers like Selfridges, SSENSE, and Mr. Porter, it's clear that this is no ordinary consumer tech; it's purposely different, and once the Ear Stick arrives, it'll be even clearer why.
Full details of the Nothing Ear (stick), including technical specs, will be revealed on October 26. To make sure you don't miss out, you can sign up for the live reveal via Nothing.
