Calling all big thinkers, innovators and visionaries, ZTE USA want your smartphone ideas.
The phone manufacturer has launched an open innovation contest called Project CSX inviting the crowd to come up with the company’s next mobile device, which will be launched onto the market next year.
ZTE is hoping that everything about the phone, from its conception all the way up to product release will come from consumers.
Ideas will be submitted to the company’s member-led forum, called the Z-Community where submissions will be voted on by members.
Winning Formula
ZTE thinks that by working this way it could be hitting on a winning formula. Their feeling is that products should easily appeal to the market if they have come from the market.
“It’s a bold approach for the industry that demonstrates how ZTE keeps consumers at the heart of everything we imagine, design and deliver,” said ZTE USA CEO Lixin Cheng.
Contest Rules
The contest has three simple rules:
The prizes include small cash awards during the contest, early access to the finished model and a chance to win a trip to the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas.
The closing date for submissions is August 31. This will be followed by several voting rounds, the last of which takes place in mid-October. If the project is successful more should follow in the future.