OnePlus has officially announced the retirement of its iconic Alert Slider, a feature cherished by users for nearly a decade. In its place, the company introduces the “Plus Key,” a customizable button designed to integrate advanced AI functionalities, marking a significant shift in OnePlus’s hardware and software strategy.
🔄 From Alert Slider to Plus Key: Embracing AI Integration
The Alert Slider, first introduced with the OnePlus 2, allowed users to effortlessly switch between silent, vibrate, and ring modes. This hardware feature became a hallmark of OnePlus smartphones, appreciated for its convenience and tactile feedback. However, as technology evolves, so does user interaction. The new Plus Key aims to offer a more versatile experience, enabling users to customize its function to perform tasks such as launching the camera, initiating voice recordings, or activating AI-driven features like real-time translation
🤖 Introducing AI Plus Mind: Your Intelligent Assistant
Central to the Plus Key’s functionality is the AI Plus Mind feature. This tool allows users to capture and organize on-screen information seamlessly. By pressing the Plus Key or swiping up with three fingers, users can save content like event details, reservations, or listings into a dedicated “Mind Space.” This space intelligently categorizes the information, making it easily retrievable through natural language queries .
🌐 Expanding AI Capabilities Across Devices
The Plus Key and AI Plus Mind will debut with the OnePlus 13s, set to launch in India on June 5, 2025. While the OnePlus 13s will be exclusive to the Indian market, OnePlus plans to incorporate the Plus Key into all upcoming smartphones released in 2025 . This move underscores the company’s commitment to integrating AI functionalities across its device lineup.The Times of India+12Android Authority+12Droid Life+12
🔐 Prioritizing User Privacy with Private Computing Cloud
Understanding the importance of data security, OnePlus introduces the Private Computing Cloud. This system ensures that AI processing occurs both locally and in the cloud, with robust encryption and user-controlled data management. Users can trust that their information remains secure while benefiting from the enhanced capabilities of AI features .
📸 Enhancing Photography with AI Tools
Beyond information management, OnePlus is enhancing its photography suite with AI-driven tools:
- AI Reframe: Automatically suggests optimal cropping for photos.
- AI Best Face 2.0: Detects and corrects issues like closed eyes or awkward expressions in group photos.
These features aim to simplify the photo-taking process, ensuring users capture the best possible images effortlessly .
🔍 AI Search: Streamlining Information Retrieval
The new AI Search feature allows users to perform natural language queries to search local files, notes, and calendars. This tool provides contextually relevant results, making information retrieval more intuitive and efficient .
🎤 AI VoiceScribe and Call Assistant: Revolutionizing Communication
OnePlus introduces AI VoiceScribe, enabling users to record, summarize, and translate calls and meetings directly within popular messaging and video applications. Additionally, the AI Call Assistant offers real-time call translation and summaries, initially available in India. These tools aim to enhance communication, especially in multilingual contexts .The Verge
📱 OnePlus 13s: The First Device with Plus Key
The OnePlus 13s, launching in India on June 5, 2025, will be the first device to feature the Plus Key. This compact flagship device will showcase the integration of AI functionalities, setting the stage for future OnePlus smartphones to adopt similar features .