The IT Nerd

ZTE USA today announced that both Android Nougat and Daydream are available now for its award-winning Axon 7 smartphone.  With these updates, the ZTE Axon 7 continues to deliver the best value of any flagship smartphone on the market today. 

The release of Android N provides Axon 7 users with the ability to personalize the device like never before. With added capabilities at their fingertips such as the ability to run two apps side by side, save battery power while on the go, and express themselves through added emojis, Axon 7 continues to provide a flagship experience at a price that is unbeatable. 

As one of the first companies to support Daydream, Google’s platform for high quality, mobile virtual reality, the Axon 7 is now Daydream-ready. With its powerful audio and visual capabilities, the Axon 7 provides an immersive VR experience and is the most affordable Daydream-ready phone in the US. 

Since the Axon 7 launched in the US in July 2016, members of Z-Community have helped provide insight into what consumers want to see updated in the device. For a full list of phone specifications and features visit www.zteusa.com/Axon7.

ZTE USA today announced “Hawkeye” as the winning name of the Project CSX eye-tracking, self-adhesive smartphone device.  With 540 name submissions from consumers around the world, the Hawkeye phone is available for pre-order today on Kickstarter at kickstarter.zteusa.com for a discounted price of $199.00.

Continuing with the crowdsourced theme surrounding Project CSX, the Hawkeye phone is available for pre-order on Kickstarter and is expected to ship globally in Q3 2017.

Project CSX kicked off at CES 2016 when ZTE announced its plans to completely crowdsource a mobile device that the company promised to build in 2017. In October 2016, thousands of consumers from 176 countries selected the winning concept, a device that aims for an easier and smoother user experience with eye-tracking capabilities and a self-adhesive back.

To learn more about ZTE and to keep up with the latest Project CSX developments visit csx.zteusa.com or to become a member of Z-Community, visit community.zteusa.com.

ZTE has announced the top five mobile device concepts selected by consumers and judges from submissions around the world. Consumers can vote starting today through October 19 at http://www.projectcsx.info/ to determine which device ZTE will build next.

The top five mobile concepts consumers can vote from, in no particular order, are:

Eye Tracking, Self-Adhesive Phone: A true hands-free experience that allows you to scroll up or down based on eye movement and a self-adhesive back that would allow the phone to stick to a wall or flat surface.

Intelligent Smartphone Covers: Expend the power of a smartphone through functional cases such as a gamepad, stylus or e-ink flip cover.

Powerglove: An exo-glove that controls your fingers for use in learning or rehabilitation settings, all powered by your Android smartphone.

Stock Android Flagship Phone: The next generation of Axon to include stock Android as well as improvement in performance and camera.

VR-Interactive Diving Mask: A waterproof VR mask allows you to swim in a pool or lake and feel like you’re in the open ocean.

The idea that accumulates the most votes will be deemed as the grand prize winner. In addition to dreaming and conceiving ZTE’s next mobile device, the ultimate Project CSX winner will also receive an all-expenses trip to the 2017 International Consumer Electronics held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

To learn more about the top five concepts and Project CSX visit community.zteusa.com.

ZTE USA, has 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 30^th at csx.zteusa.com.

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.

The top three ideas consumers will help design include: 

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 submersible. 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 12^th to 19^th will determine the device ZTE will build next.

ZTE today announced the launch of Project CSX, a crowdsourced mobile device the company will release in 2017. ZTE’s member-led forum, Z-Community, will serve as the platform for ideation and feedback throughout the entire development process.

Project CSX is a new method for developing products that engages directly with consumers at every step of the development process, from conception to what is finally delivered to consumers. The project will be broken into two key development stages where users can submit and vote for their favorite ideas.

Submissions are held to three rules: it must be a mobile product, the technology must be realistically possible by 2017, and the final product must be affordable for the general population.

Winning ideas and popular submissions will be awarded with small cash prizes throughout the process and the chance to win a trip to the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. Participants will have the opportunity to say they helped create an innovative mobile device that friends, family, and acquaintances will be able to purchase. In addition, participants registered on Z-Community will have early access to the final product.

Through Project CSX, consumers can learn what ZTE is all about, connecting people to what matters most, and use Z-Community as a platform to create something meaningful.

To join Z-Community, submit your ideas, and learn more visit https://community.zteusa.com/.

ZTE has announced it is accepting online preorders of the Axon 7 smartphone today on NewEgg.ca. The Axon 7 is the first Android smartphone to break away from other flagships with specs that outperform rivals at an unbeatable price of $529.99 CAD.

The Axon 7 delivers the best audio and visual experience for VR applications. It comes equipped to support Daydream, Google’s mobile VR platform and will be Daydream-ready in the Fall of 2016.

With two dedicated sound chips and enhanced software, professional third-party testing proves the Axon 7 headset and speaker output are significantly more powerful than the competition. Listeners will experience better sonic quality at lower listening levels and increased headroom to experience louder bass sounds and higher dynamic ranges.

The 20-megapixel rear camera is equipped with dual image stabilization to prevent blurred images when capturing real life moments. Features such as Live Photo generate animated images that can be shared via text, email and across social media. Beyond the high quality camera, photo editing options including filters, stickers, text bubbles, and more, provide new levels of fun and personalization.

The Axon 7 was designed in North America with the help of industry leading design experts from Designworks, a BMW Group company, which ensured the phone would look and feel premium at every angle. Thanks to a continuous curve, the phone is noticeably smooth and luxurious to hold. The design is elevated with shiny metal edging that stands out while highlighting some of the phone’s best features.

Powered by the 2.15 GHz Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (MSM8996) with integrated Qualcomm Adreno 530 GPU, the Axon 7 delivers power and performance when you need it.

Capabilities such as taking a screen capture with one finger and one of the industry’s most responsive fingerprint sensors gets you from point A to point B efficiently.

The big, bright AMOLED display is noticeably crisp whether looking at the screen head on or from an angle. A multitude of themes take full advantage of the WQHD display with high quality graphics that can easily change the look of the phone in an instant.

The dual-SIM slot allows two carrier SIMs to be used in the Axon 7. Different carrier networks can be independently tasked to manage calls or data, and can be switched at any time. This highly convenient capability is great for overseas travel, waiting out a contract, or in situations where network reception is weak.

The ZTE Axon 7 is available for pre-order today from NewEgg.ca for just $529.99 CAD, with shipping starting on July 27.