14 DAY TRIAL // ZTE is one of the biggest smartphone manufacturers from China, and recently, the company has managed to make a name for itself even in the US, where it has become the fourth-largest company of its kind. Now, ZTE has just announced the launch of Project CSX for a crowdsourced mobile device that it intends to debut next year.
ZTE wants fans to send their ideas and feedback through the company’s member-led forum Z-Community, which is open to all ZTE smartphone customers. “This is the first time a phone manufacturer is stepping out and crowdsourcing something entirely new, from start to finish,” said Lixin Cheng, chairman and CEO of ZTE USA.
ZTE acknowledges that this is a bold approach, but it is a move that would increase the company’s popularity in the country and bring fans together. It will also allow ZTE customers to leave their mark on a company product that they could potentially buy and actually use after its release.
Winning ideas will be awarded small cash prizes
Instead of spending money on market research, ZTE found this interesting way to bring fans closer and to see what people want from their ZTE phone.
Project CSX aims to engage with consumers at every step of the development process, from conception to what is finally delivered to customers. The project consists of two key development stages, and submissions of ideas have to follow some rules.
The idea must represent a mobile product, the technology must be realistically possible by 2017, and the final product must be affordable, as per company policy. ZTE will offer fans who send in best ideas small cash prizes and even the chance to win a trip to the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. In addition, participants who are registered on Z-Community will have early access to the final product.
Last year, ZTE caught the market’s attention with the Axon 7, which was also released in the US as a high-end flagship, but for an affordable price.