Who drives the creative engine within OnePlus?

Not only is OnePlus known for delivering one of the best Android experiences with its clean OxygenOS, but it has also introduced popular apps and features like Clipt, WellPaper, Canvas AOD, and Zen Mode. Together they have collected hundreds of thousands of downloads from the Google Play Store and spread through word of mouth beyond OnePlus owners to the entire Android community.

A number of these apps and features come from OneLab – a creative engine within OnePlus made up of UI / UX designers, product managers and developers from around the world. The team is focused on developing new and exciting features that will improve the software experience for OnePlus users and beyond.

We interviewed Crayon Hsieh, the head of OneLab, and Sam Twist, OneLab’s senior product manager, to talk about OnePlus and OneLab.

Interviewer: So, OxygenOS and ColorOS integration: what does this mean for the US audience?

Hsei: An important change that comes with the OxygenOS and ColorOS integration is improved software maintenance. OnePlus flagships have always had solid support, but now the company is showing more love for its Nord N series and older devices.

For starters, the OnePlus 8-series flagship, including the 8T, gets three major Android updates and four years of security support. The same goes for the newer OnePlus 9. You can expect three years of security backing to come with a large version of Android on the North N side.

OxygenOS is one of the cleanest Android skins out there – just as users like it. To keep it that way, OnePlus is always looking for new ways to keep users involved in the development cycle. One of the most interesting ways to do this is with OneLab, a startup within OnePlus itself.

OneLab was originally founded as a research group within OnePlus to connect with global users, but has grown to improve the user experience with feedback and well-designed apps. It was at the heart of developments like Zen Mode, Bitmoji AOD, and Insight AOD – developed in collaboration with the Parsons School of Design – while they worked on their own apps like Clipt and even WellPaper.

Interviewer: We found that Zen mode is popular not only with OnePlus users but also with owners of other devices. Can you tell us something about this app?

Hsei: Zen mode is clever in that it is all about getting you to put your phone down. It was introduced back in 2019 to help users focus on other tasks like work, board games, or just spending time with family and friends. The existence of Zen mode actually comes from one of our OnePlus Open Ears forums, a personal forum between OnePlus employees and OnePlus fans about user problems.

The app has become a great success and has expanded beyond OnePlus owners to the Android community and received a rating of 4.1 stars from over 48,000 users on Google Play. Check it out here.

Zen mode now has a group function that allows you to gather your whole family together and all spend screen-free time.

Interviewer: What can you tell us about the new OnePlus Clipt app?

Twist: OnePlus Clipt brings your entire device collection together to give productivity a boost. Clipt allows you to copy and paste on one device and allows you to connect all of your devices together in seconds. You can sync your texts, photos and files to share in seconds. Clipt leaves behind the days of emailing yourself a picture between platforms. Best of all, it’s completely free and you can download it from both Google Play and the Chrome Web Store. Sign in on two or more devices to see the magic.

Launched in May 2021, the app now has a 4.1-star rating with 90,000 downloads on Google Play. Check it out here.

Interviewer: What about another app that recently became popular: WellPaper?

Hsei: WellPaper is a digital wellness tool designed with the zen mode in mind, but it’s all about your use. It works by creating a live wallpaper of your daily use. It compares the time spent across six categories such as social media, communication, and gaming throughout the day, resulting in beautiful, unique visualizations. OneLab created its WellPaper as an alternative way to keep track of how much time you spend on social media and other apps. No tag will look the same, but it should help you keep track of your browser statistics.

Launched in May 2021, the app has a 4.0 star rating with 200,000 downloads on Google Play. Check it out here.

Get the full OnePlus experience on T-Mobile and test all OneLab innovations for yourself!

OnePlus USA’s Instagram is also currently running a giveaway for 100 phones. Click here to make an entry for your chance of winning!