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IFA 2016 day zero: Selfie-phones and barista robots
We're edging ever closer to the official start of IFA 2016 (that's today as you read this), but the pre-show events continue. Huawei, ZTE and others brought new phones, and Sony showed its hand -- even if some of that was familiar. There was also a surprise visit from the future. If that future is the 1950's version of robots. We're live all week from Berlin, Germany, for IFA 2016. Click here to catch up on all the news from the show.
Your vote will make ZTE's crowdsourced device ideas a reality
ZTE isn't wowing anyone with its new Axon 7 Mini phone, but it does have a far more intriguing device up its sleeve. The Chinese company shared some updates on its Project CSX campaign, which is an effort to crowdsource ideas for a groundbreaking mobile device. Starting today, you can start voting for one of the top 20 ideas in the company's forum.
ZTE's Axon 7 Mini smartphone won't wow you, but it's cheap
ZTE's Axon 7 was a surprisingly good phone, which proved that the Chinese company is capable of delivering on its "affordable premium" promise. In order to capitalize on that success, ZTE is offering a cheaper, more petite version. The Axon 7 Mini will arrive stateside in October, and while US pricing hasn't been announced, it will retail in Europe for 299 euros. That's about $330, which is $70 less than the original, as well as the OnePlus 3 and Alcatel Idol 4S.
Engadget giveaway: Win an Axon 7 smartphone courtesy of ZTE!
It's getting easier to find high-quality phones at affordable prices these days and this week's giveaway offers one of the latest in that category. ZTE's Axon 7 smartphone just launched this month and offers a series of premium features just $400. Inside the aluminum unibody shell, there's a 2.15GHz quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor running Android 6.01 Marshmallow, plus 4G of RAM and 64GB of storage. On the front you get a 5.5-inch, 2K resolution screen protected by a sheet of Gorilla Glass 4.0, and for selfies you get eight megapixels worth of duckface smiles to share with friends. There's a rear-facing 20-megapixel camera, as well, for serious captures. Oh, and it has Dolby Atmos software on board and front-facing speakers for some serious sound. Sound good? Luckily, ZTE has provided one of these handsets in gold for a lucky reader this week. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning a ZTE Axon 7! Winner: Congratulations to Eugene B. of Columbia, TN!
Tell ZTE what to build next
Looks like ZTE is getting around to keeping its promises. After teasing us at CES with plans to develop a crowdsourced mobile device, the Chinese electronics maker today opened up its Z-Community forum for feedback and ideas. Called Project CSX for now, the resulting product is slated for a 2017 release. In addition to getting bragging rights for your brilliant suggestions, you'll also be rewarded with small cash prizes if you send a winning idea or popular submission.
The Axon 7 finally fulfills ZTE's 'affordable premium' promise
Over the years, smartphones have either been high end and expensive, or dirt cheap and shoddy. But, two years ago, the industry shifted and midrange phones that had great specs for lower prices started to fill the gap. ZTE has long been a proponent of what it calls the "affordable premium" device, and has thrown out middling handset after middling handset that met only the "affordable" part of that promise.
ZTE Zmax Pro comes with a fingerprint sensor for just $99
Even though it has a higher-end series with the Axon line, ZTE continues to focus on the budget phone market with its Zmax brand. Available for pre-orders today on MetroPCS for just $99 (after an instant rebate), the Zmax Pro is a 6-inch phablet with a fingerprint sensor that ZTE says is unique for this price range. We snagged some quick hands-on time with the Zmax Pro, which promises some compelling features for the money.
ZTE's affordable Axon 7 arrives today to take on OnePlus
ZTE is ready to let the public get their hands on the Axon 7. The all-metal smartphone is available for pre-order at $400 starting today via ZTEUSA.com, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H and Newegg.
ZTE's Axon 7 is a $450 alternative to pricey Android flagships
Last year, ZTE surprised us with the Axon, an all-metal Android phone with surprisingly high-end specs for just $450. But while it was a noble attempt at an affordable flagship, we had issues with its slightly chunky design and lack of storage. Enter the Axon 7, ZTE's follow-up that once again aims to take on much more expensive Android phones. It has a luxe-feeling unibody metal case, loads of storage options and a sharp 2K display. And best of all? It's still just $450.
Creative pushes for US bans on several smartphone makers
Creative has a long history of wielding its patents against other tech companies (just ask Apple), but its latest effort might top them all. The US International Trade Commission is investigating Creative's complaints that seven smartphone makers (BlackBerry, HTC, LG, Lenovo/Motorola, Samsung, Sony and ZTE) violate its patents. Allegedly, all of the companies are imitating Creative's hierarchical menu system for media playback, much as the iPod supposedly duped Zen players a decade ago. If successful, the ITC dispute would ban the sale of at least some of these companies' devices... and given the sheer scope of the complaint, you'd probably notice the absences on store shelves.
Nubia brings flagship photography to a cheap phone
It was 10 months ago when we talked about how China's Nubia was bringing its camera-centric Z9 smartphone to the US market, but if you check now, the store link on its official English website is no longer available. Instead, Nubia will be focusing on the Latin American, European and Indian markets, starting with its brand new Z11 Mini mid-ranger. This is a 5-inch 1080p device in a rounded glass-metal-glass sandwich that's only 8mm thick, and its 16-megapixel f/2.0 main camera is powered by Sony's IMX298, which is the same sensor inside other flagships like the Huawei Mate 8, Xiaomi Mi 5, Oppo R9 Plus and Vivo Xplay5. You also get 3GB of LPDDR3 RAM, 64GB of internal storage, microSD expansion and a fingerprint reader on the back. Given its 1,499 yuan price point (about $230), you'll forgive Nubia for using the octa-core Snapdragon 617 chipset instead of an 820 here.
AT&T said to be building a Cyanogen-powered phone with ZTE
AT&T is reportedly working with Cyanogen and ZTE on a new phone for the US market. It would run Cyanogen's forked version of Android, allowing the carrier to push services like DirectTV in a more aggressive manner. That's according to The Information anyway, which cites two sources -- one with direct knowledge and one that's been briefed on the talks between the three companies. There's no guarantee that such a handset will ever materialise, but the talks do emphasize the growing interest from networks to increase their revenue through services.
US to give ZTE a break on tech exports
ZTE might not be cut off at the knees by US export restrictions... at least, not yet. An unnamed Commerce Department official tells Reuters that the American government will temporarily lift those restrictions in return for ZTE's willingness to come to terms, including an agreement to abide by unknown "binding commitments." It's reasonable to presume that ZTE won't be selling US equipment to Iran, which is what got it into hot water in the first place.
6 next-gen green cell phones
By Cat DiStasio In the grand scheme of things, mobile phones haven't been around that long. Less than 20 years ago, hardly anyone had one, and devices of that era certainly weren't capable of doing what today's smartphones can do. Cell phone technology progresses so quickly, in fact, that most users are prone to replacing their phones with new ones every few years -- even if the old one still works -- just to have something with longer battery life and a better camera. This behavior is inspiring designers to create more sustainable handsets: some with easily upgradable modules, some made with recycled materials and some that charge themselves with little or no interaction from the user. Although a few of these technologies are still in the conceptual phase, it's easy to imagine that they could be available within the next few years -- right about when you'll be thinking about replacing the phone you have now.
China irate over US export sanctions against ZTE
The US government is slapping crippling sanctions on telecom manufacturer ZTE and the Chinese government is not happy about it. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that "China is opposed to the US citing domestic laws to place sanctions on Chinese enterprises," according to Reuters. "We hope the US stops this erroneous action and avoids damaging Sino-US trade cooperation and bilateral relations." The US announced the restrictions yesterday, saying the company planned to sell US-made equipment to Iran's largest telecommunications provider in 2012, in violation of US export restrictions to the nation.
ZTE faces restrictions on using US technology
Chinese companies already have a hard time doing business with the US (mostly over spying fears), and it's about to get worse. Reuters sources understand that the US Commerce Department is about to slap ZTE with restrictions on what it's allowed to import from its American suppliers. From March 8th onward, those companies will reportedly need to apply for export licenses to ship anything to ZTE, and those grants will "generally be denied." The move would be punishment for allegedly breaking export rules by shipping US tech to Iran.
ZTE's Android projector/tablet combo is crazy like a fox
Even more intriguing than new mid-range phones is ZTE's Spro Plus, which might just be the craziest projector design I've seen yet. The company basically managed to fit an 8.4-inch Android tablet right on top of a projector. And while that may sound a tad useless, it's actually a convenient way to access video content without relying on another device. It's like the inverse of Lenovo's Yoga Tab 3 Pro, an Android tablet with a built-in pico projector.
Hands-on with ZTE's stylish Blade V7 mid-range phones
ZTE proved it could make a killer-looking device with last year's Axon, and now it's bringing some of that design work down to its mid-range Blade line. This week at Mobile World Congress, the Chinese company unveiled the Blade V7 and Blade V7 Lite, both of which feature metallic cases. And yes, they both look very familiar.
ZTE's latest Android projector is basically a tablet
ZTE's Android projectors have often seemed like answers to a question no one asked, but the company might have found an audience with the newly unveiled Spro Plus. The device combines a 500-lumen projector with an Android-based control system that includes an 8.4-inch AMOLED screen, a Snapdragon 801 processor, optional LTE data and 128GB of expandable storage. In effect, it's a chunky mid-range tablet that can cast 80-inch images on your wall.
WSJ: China's government wants homegrown, backdoor-free phones
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that China's government has now leant on ZTE to produce a smartphone using predominantly local hardware that'll run COS, a homegrown operating system that's designed to be immune to US-based hacking attempts. The paper goes on to say that Alibaba is now working with the nation's ministry of public security to develop another operating system that's secure enough for police officers to use. It's all part of the country's attempts to put water between itself and the US in a post-Snowden world after backdoors were found in numerous American-designed products.
