Apart from its ear(1) wireless earbuds , not too much is actually known about Nothing's product plans, but that's set to change as the company has sent out invites to a roadmap event.

Called 'The Truth', the livestream event will take place on March 23 at 2pm GMT (9am ET / 6am PT) where the company will "share news about our 2022 roadmap + a new opportunity for community investment" - you can follow the announcement on our Nothing event live blog .

The London-based firm also announced a $70M Series B funding round, so the fact it's going to ask for investment from the general public for a second time may raise some eyebrows after an initial community funding round in the middle of 2021 raised $1.5m.

That came after $7m of seed funding in 2020 and a Series A funding round of $15m in 2021 - just how much cash does it need to achieve its goals?

At least this time round public investors may have a better idea of what they are investing in, as the 2021 round came before the company had announced any products.

The hope for Nothing's roadmap event is it will give us a clearer idea of what the firm's plans are - including a potential smartphone.

Are we getting a Nothing phone?

Nothing has previously confirmed it is working on an ecosystem of products, suggesting its portfolio may end up being rather diverse, but one of the hottest rumors surrounds a smartphone.

Company founder, Carl Pei, was previously co-founder at OnePlus and has built a vast reputation - and online following - in the world of affordable flagship phones.

A smartphone would certainly play to Pei's strengths, and a Nothing phone would be something he'd know how to market to a dedicated and engaged audience.

And the Nothing phone rumors were given a boost earlier this week after infamous leaker @evleaks posted an image appearing to show Pei holding a device that doesn't look like any currently-released phone we've seen. However, there's no guarantee this is the Nothing phone in Pei's hands.

Take a look for yourself in the tweet below.

This leak does match up with a report a few days previous from Tech Crunch , which said it had been shown similar photograph by a "source with direct knowledge of the matter".

We've also seen Pei post a cheeky tweet which read "Back on Android" in the middle of February, to which the official Android and Qualcomm Snapdragon accounts replied to with equally cryptic responses .

A Nothing phone looks highly likely then, and we may well learn more about it on March 23 - but should you be excited?

Why you should care about the Nothing phone

There aren't too many mysteries in the technology world these days, with most products heavily leaked before their official announcements, leaving little to actually be revealed on launch day - but, so far, not much is known about the rumored Nothing phone.

That makes it a rarity, with only really the new iPhone SE 2022 and Mac Studio able to keep out of the leak limelight in recent months. So for the excitement and mystery factor alone, the Nothing phone is an intriguing proposition.

Then consider Pei's background. OnePlus rocked the established smartphone market when it burst onto the screen in 2014 with its 'flagship killer', the OnePlus One .

It was a major contributor to the shift in the market, where we saw numerous phone makers introduce 'affordable flagship phones' which offered up an eye-catching array of specs at price points which comfortably undercut the likes of Apple, HTC, LG, Samsung and Sony.

Now, a straight undercutting of Samsung and Apple (RIP HTC, LG) isn't going to put the Nothing phone on the map in 2022 as there's far more competition in the affordable flagship market with Honor, Oppo, Xiaomi, Realme and more all vying for your attention.

But what Pei isn't afraid of is taking a risk and trying something a little bit different, even if it's a marketing play that helps the brand get some separation.

While the company's mission statement is all very blue-sky-thinking, it does leave the door open for something a bit different. "Imagine a world where all of your devices are seamlessly connected. Tech that just works. That you don't have to think about. That feels like nothing" it reads.

Could it use a new material to make it feel like nothing before? Maybe it'll feature a translucent body like the ear(1) buds. Or perhaps it'll be able to read your mind and automatically perform actions - so you don't have to think about it.

Okay, that last one is probably too far-fetched, but the fact is this could be the most exciting smartphone launch of the year - so it'll be worth tuning in.

PC doesn't meet Windows 11 requirements? There's a tool to fix that

Got a PC that fails the Windows 11 system requirements? Thanks to an unofficial tool, you can create a Windows 11 image that will bypass the TPM system requirements that Microsoft set, enabling your ineligible PC to upgrade to the operating system.

Since Windows 11 was announced in June 2021, Microsoft was adamant that all PCs would have to meet its system requirements, such as enabling TPM , in order for the update to be eligible.

But according to Windows Latest , the Rufus tool will allow you to create a bootable USB drive thanks to an official Windows 11 image file, with checks in place that will allow your PC to bypass the system requirements.

But with this much power in one tool, we don't actually recommend using this to upgrade your PC to Windows 11 for now, unless you're certain you know what you're doing, and what the risks are.

Analysis: Unforeseen consequences could occur

Microsoft's communication around explaining the requirements for Windows 11 in 2021 was poor at best, especially when it came to TPM. It also didn't help when its app to check if your PC was eligible to upgrade wasn't accurate in its results.

But there's still a wide pool of users who are on Windows 10 and don't see the need to upgrade their PC to use Windows 11, especially if they use their device for the occasional web browsing or gaming.

While this tool will grant these PCs a path to upgrade, we don't recommend using Rufus . The features that are in Windows 11, alongside what's coming up with its major upgrade, codenamed ' Sun Valley 2 ', will require some PCs to use more of the CPU, memory, and GPU in order to run the operating system in an efficient way.

This could cause a strain on the hardware, and you could have an incompatible PC running Windows 11 very slowly, to the point where it's an irritation. Microsoft has also made it be known that it will make updating unsupported PCs running Windows 11 difficult in the future, which could lock you out from getting important security fixes.

Perhaps you can use Rufus as a 'trial' for Windows 11, to see what you think of the update before you go all-in on a new PC. But as something to bypass the system requirements, we recommend holding off.

Best Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus cases

The best Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus cases keep your newly acquired phone as smart and as clean as the day you bought it.

But with so many options already available, how do you know where to start looking? Fortunately, we're here to help with a look at the ten best Galaxy S22 Plus cases out there right now.

Each case will at least keep your phone secure, with some also offering extra features like a kickstand, lanyard support, or simply exceptional levels of drop protection.

Whatever your taste, there's a case for you. Keep reading to see our pick of the best Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus cases.

The Speck Presidio Perfect Clear Case offers a glittery effect but is otherwise clear for showing off your new phone. More importantly, it protects your phone against drops of up to 13 feet, so you're good to go with pretty much all your daily tasks.

Thin and lightweight, it promises to keep its looks too, helped by antimicrobial protection that reduces the risk of staining or bacteria. Finally, a raised bezel keeps your screen and camera lenses safe.

See the Speck Presidio Perfect Clear case here

Even if your life is more rugged than Bear Grylls, the Urban Armor Monarch Kevlar case will keep your phone safe. It offers five layers of protection including genuine Kevlar material. That means it can withstand up to a 20-foot drop as well as shake off pretty much every other minor blow too.

A soft impact-resistant core and protective screen surround keep your phone as good as new. A nice to hold traction grip means your phone feels good in your hands too, even if this is a fairly bulky design.

See the Urban Armor Monarch Kevlar case here

Casetify has an extensive range of Impact Crush cases and we're rather partial to the cute yet stylish Flower Power one. Whichever case you decide on, the Impact Crush range offers up to 6.6 feet of drop protection, which is fine for regular daily use.

Made from 65% recycled and plant-based materials, you're doing your bit for the environment with this case. It also offers an antimicrobial coating for added protection against bacteria.

See the Casetify Impact Crush case here

The Tech21 Evo Tactile is ideal for those who want to prevent a drop more than anything else. It has a great tactile and textured non-slip grip to its casing meaning you should be able to hold it without an issue.

If you do drop it, up to 16 feet of drop protection means your phone will be fine. Other features include antimicrobial technology, which is slowly becoming standard on cases, and a neat look that works well for a professional environment.

See the Tech21 Evo Tactile case here

The OtterBox Symmetry Case comes from a dependable brand so it makes sense that OtterBox promises to handle up to three times as many drops as the military standard. It also has a silver-based additive within the case to block microbial growth.

Elsewhere, raised edges and a thin profile prove useful against drops and awkwardness, while the fact it's made from 50% recycled material is also good to see.

See the OtterBox Symmetry case here

The Atom Studios Touch Silicone Case has been designed in an environmentally friendly manner. It's made from silica, which is made from sand and more abundant than crude oil. If that’s not environmentally friendly enough, the company also promises to plant a tree for each case bought.

Elsewhere, you get decent basic drop protection along with a raised edge to protect the screen. It's all slimly designed so it looks and feels good.

See the Atom Studios Touch Silicone case here

The Mous Limitless 3.0 looks great. Whichever option you choose, its use of fibers and textures means it looks more distinctive than a plain color scheme. It offers sturdy protection for daily use too thanks to the company's AiroShock technology.

Made in a way that feels more expensive than its price tag suggests, it has everything you need including raised top and bottom edges to protect your phone in a subtle way.

See the Mous Limitless 3.0 case here

The OtterBox Defender Series Pro is serious about protection and offers up to four times as many drops as the military standard requires. Able to withstand multiple drops, scrapes, and tumbles, it's ideally suited if you're clumsy. Fortunately, a textured grip means you're less likely to drop your phone giving you preventative protection too.

A raised edge protects your screen and camera lenses. It's a little bulky but it's worth it if you want to keep your phone safe plus there's a holster that works as a hands-free kickstand.

See the OtterBox Defender Series Pro case here

The Caseology Parallax case keeps things simple and inexpensive. It offers raised bezels around the screen and camera ring, with military-grade protection keeping your phone safe during a fall.

With built-in textured TPU grips on both sides, you should be less likely to drop it anyway but it should handle most basic falls. It might not be the best option if you need something extra-rugged or tough for outdoor pursuits.

See the Caseology Parallax case here

The Spigen Crystal Slot Case keeps things simple. It offers a clear design so you can still see your nice new phone. It also has a slot to store one card safely so you may not need to carry a separate wallet.

Where it falters is its protection. It's there, but it's more suited to normal everyday use than physical activities like hiking. The raised bezel will protect you from the basics, but we don't fancy its chances on a rugged day out.

See the Spigen Crystal Slot case here