ZTE Announces Top Three Device Ideas Competing to Win Project CSX and Begins Accepting Concept Design Submissions
ZTE chooses three out of five ideas and only one will become one of the
first end-to-end crowdsourced mobile devices to come to market in 2017
RICHARDSON, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ZTE USA, the fourth largest smartphone manufacturer in the U.S. and
second largest in the no-contract market,* today announced that out of
nearly 400 submissions made worldwide, the three ideas moving to round
two of Project CSX include: an underwater virtual reality headset; a
robotic glove controlled by an app; and a phone that can be controlled
with eye movements. In round two, consumers will submit design concepts
that will bring the top three ideas to life. Concept designs can be
submitted from consumers around the world starting today through
September 30th at csx.zteusa.com.
“Project CSX is an example of how ZTE continues to lead innovation in
the mobile industry. Reinventing the R&D process delivers more value to
consumers in terms of end cost and usefulness,” said Lixin Cheng,
chairman and CEO of ZTE USA. “As an end-to-end provider of
telecommunications, ZTE is capable of delivering many types of
high-quality products consumers will feel proud to say they were a part
of building.”
In round two, consumers will need to refine the top three ideas by
defining how the product will look, function, and be operated.
Submissions will need to detail everything from the user interface to
color variants. Concept designs can be drawn or digitally created as
long as each submission brings the ideas to life.
There is a small window of opportunity for those who missed the deadline
to submit their idea. A wildcard idea will be chosen to join the top
three ideas. Wildcard submissions must include both a product idea and a
product design to be considered.
“This phase of the project gives a voice to those who see a good idea,
but wish to refine it or rethink it,” said Jeff Yee, vice president of
Technology Planning and Partnerships at ZTE USA. “We aim to engage
consumers at every step of this process, and are providing the platform
for them to have the ultimate say in what ZTE builds, and potentially
even the direction we head in 2017.”
The top three ideas consumers will help design include:
-
Consumers want to part ways with the physical operation of their
phones. With this phone, eye tracking technology would help complete
common or repetitive tasks that once could only be done by touch. The
phone would also feature a self-adhesive polymer case that would stick
to several types of surfaces. -
The evolution from wearables to robo-wear turns learning about oneself
into educating oneself. This robotic glove helps users learn new tasks
such as playing the guitar or other programmable movements the user
dictates via an app. -
Consumers want more than waterproofing in their next mobile device,
they want complete submersion. This virtual reality headset built
specifically for underwater use could transform a backyard swimming
pool into the Great Barrier Reef.
Concept designs are due on or before September 30th. From
October 1st to 10th consumers will vote to help
identify the top ideas. The next round of voting from October 12th
to 19th will determine the device ZTE will build next.
*Strategy Analytics, Q2 2016
About ZTE USA
ZTE USA (www.zteusa.com),
headquartered in Richardson, Texas, is a subsidiary of ZTE Corporation,
a global provider of mobile devices, telecommunication systems, and
enterprise solutions. Operating since 1998, ZTE USA is dedicated to
making cost-efficient, quality communication technology accessible to
all. ZTE is ranked by independent industry analysts as the
fourth-largest supplier of mobile devices in the U.S. overall, and
second-largest supplier of prepaid devices.
Visit ZTE USA at www.zteusa.com on
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ZTEUSA,
Twitter https://twitter.com/ZTE_USA,
and on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/ZTEUSAInc.
Contacts
ZTE USA
Jeffrey Norris, 972-671-8885
jeffrey.norris@zteusa.com
