Hardware maker Nothing has launched its own AI-powered dictation tool called Essential Voice, joining a crowded field of apps that convert speech to text while cleaning up filler words. The feature, announced on Thursday, works system-wide on Nothing phones, allowing users to dictate into any app and automatically remove "ums" and "ahs."
Unlike third-party apps that require separate installation, Essential Voice is built into Nothing's Phone (3) and will roll out to the Phone (4a) Pro later this month, with Phone (4a) support coming next month. Users activate it by pressing the dedicated Essential key on supported devices or through the keyboard.
The tool offers customizable voice shortcuts for frequently used words, links, templates, and phrases — for example, saying "my address" could expand to your full home address. It also supports real-time translation across more than 100 languages at launch.
Nothing plans to introduce app-based styling in the future, letting users adjust the AI's editing tone depending on the category of app, such as work or messaging. The move positions Nothing as one of the first smartphone makers to offer deep system-level dictation integration.
"We're bringing AI dictation directly to the OS, so it works wherever you type," a Nothing spokesperson said.
While similar tools like Superwhisper and Wispr Flow exist for third-party keyboards, Nothing's approach mirrors a broader trend toward native AI features. Google quietly released an offline dictation app for iOS earlier this month, signaling that more device makers may follow suit.