Writing and speaking used to be two different things, but Nothing now seems to blend them together — let you write by speaking. The London-based company rolls out a new speech-to-text engine called Essential Voice, which is designed to deliver clear, ready-to-send text in real time. The feature aims to improve traditional dictation tools, which often capture filler words like “ums” and “uhs,” along with stutters and inconsistent punctuation.
According to the company, Essential Voice combines the speed of speaking with the clarity of written text by automatically removing filler words and refining output. It supports over 100 languages and can detect regional variations in languages such as English and Spanish. The tool can also translate speech in real time while transcribing it.
The feature includes support for custom shortcuts, allowing users to personalise frequently used phrases or spellings. For instance, users can set it to write “Nothing OS” when they say “nothing os,” or link specific phrases to actions like sending transcripts via email.
On the privacy front, Nothing says Essential Voice does not listen in the background and only activates when triggered by the user. Once in use, audio is encrypted and processed on the company’s servers, with the final text sent back to the device without being stored.
Essential Voice is currently available on the Nothing Phone (3) and will roll out to the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro later this month, followed by the Nothing Phone (4a) in early May. It integrates directly into the device’s keyboard and the Essential Key.
Alongside Essential Voice, Nothing is also expanding its AI ecosystem with Essential Space. It is a smart productivity hub available on its devices. It is designed as a “second brain,” and it lets users quickly capture screenshots, voice notes, and text using the dedicated Essential Key. The feature can automatically transcribe and summarise content, helping users organise information more efficiently. It also turns captured items into actionable reminders. With support for widgets and quick access tools, Essential Space aims to streamline how users store, recall, and act on important information directly from their smartphones.
