China-based smartphone manufacturer ZTE, the fourth major smartphone maker in the US and second largest in the prepaid market, has announced its new strategy to build a new phone codenamed Project CSX with the help of crowdsourcing suggestions, while incorporating ZTE's new online 'Z-Community'.
According to the company, they must listen to its consumers in order to create something tempting and irresistible for tech enthusiasts.
The same strategy was also employed by the smartphone brand OnePlus, when it was designing its first device. However, OnePlus kept the OnePlus One veiled for a long time and finally released their device after constant delays.
Reports, however, suggest that ZTE will have a totally different approach. As per the strategy, the initial stages of development will include consumers submitting their ideas by August 31, and voting for their favourite ideas and concepts.
The company has set three rules to submit an idea:
1. The ideas must be a mobile product
2. As far as the technology and specifications are concerned, it needs to be realistic for next year
3. The final or end product should be affordable for common people
The company has also announced that consumers who submit the best ideas will get a chance to win small cash prizes and a trip to CES 2017 where they will be acknowledged for their contribution in creating a new gadget. Furthermore, members of the Registered Z-Community will be able to buy the final product prior to anyone else.
ZTE's Vice President of Technology, Planning, and Partnerships, Jeff Yee said, "Sometimes the greatest ideas come from people who are not in a company and who have a fresh take, which the company wouldn't have thought of".