ZTE is quickly becoming a household name not only in China but also in the US. We all know that it’s one of the top OEM suppliers of prepaid phones in the country and there seems to be no stopping this Chinese company. It’s actually more aggressive these days, unveiling more phones left and right. The latest ones include the black gold edition of a bezel-less Nubia Z11, ZTE Axon 7, Warp 7, Nubia N1, and the ZMAX Pro.
ZTE has got a lot of creative guys and smart developers but it’s getting more and smarter ideas from the public. Last month, ZTE USA began crowdsourcing for the next mobile device with Project CSX. The idea is to ask consumers for concepts and come up with projects that will possibly appeal to the mobile industry. ZTE is giving people a chance to design, conceptualize, and submit their ideas.
The project was introduced in August and now ZTE has a shortlist of those fans whose ideas have potential to make it to production for release in 2017. About 400 entries were submitted but here are the top three ideas:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
Fans are now asked to suggest what the products may look like including the hardware design, software, and UI. If you plan on sending in your ideas, you can do so until September 30. Entries will once again be collated within ten days. Voting will soon begin for those entries that will proceed to the final round. Another round of votes will be cast for the winner.
We’re looking forward to what the consumers and ZTE fans will come up. It’s interesting to see how ordinary mobile users think. Every concept or design is important. You’ll never know what can and will be the next big thing.
Crowdsourcing isn’t new. Some projects on Indiegogo and Kickstarter have become successful but ZTE’s Project CSX doesn’t involve raising funds. What the Chinese OEM only wants is the people’s genius ideas. Feedback is important and we can say that’s what ZTE wants to do–develop and improve a product based on feedback of the people.
VIA: SlashGear
SOURCE: ZTE
