Essential Space In Nothing Phone 3a: You May Have To Pay For AI Features
Nothing may not be the first company to ask users to pay up for accessing its devices' AI functions.
Nothing Phone 3a, which was launched earlier this month, had introduced a key element that turned everyone's head. The Essential Key, which was connected with the artificial intelligence-powered Essential Space app, was touted by Nothing as a key organising and action feature.
Notably, the Essential Key, a new button on the device's side, allows users to record ideas, content and thoughts. All of this is automatically arranged and organised by Essential Space, which uses AI to create customised recommendations, summaries or action items. Some notable features of Essential Space include embedding audio recordings, taking screenshots, separately saving and transcribing voice notes, and more.
Now, according to a recent report, Nothing may eventually launch a new membership service to grant users access to some Essential Space features.
Subscription Model For Nothing Phone 3a Essential Space?
It appears that in the Essential Space app's APK breakdown, Android Authority found references to "free trial" and "AI credits". This implies that some of Essential Space's features might only be accessible in trial mode or that access to them would cost AI tokens.
Additionally, a $120 price tag is mentioned in the string of codes, which although can't be a sure-shot reference to paid subscription, but very well indicative. The code string does not specify whether or when Nothing intends to introduce the premium tier. There is also a phrase "start 1 year free trial" that appears in one of the strings, which again is indicative of a subscription model, although this might also change.
Of note, just because these strings are present in the app does not mean that all of the Essential Space features will eventually need a subscription. Nothing could provide certain services without charge, and advanced ones might require a subscription.
Nothing Not The First That Might Go With AI Subscription
Nothing may not be the first company to ask users to pay up for accessing its devices' AI functions. According to Samsung's product pages for its Galaxy AI phones, their AI capabilities will be free until the end of 2025.
There is no information on whether Samsung would charge beyond that timeline or not, but it may very well be the case.
