1 2015 No.1 Bimonthly
DESIGN & ART Achieving User Goals Multi-Screen Integration of Three Giants
HANDS-ON Blade L3: Designed for the Young Blade Q1: A Compact Phone with Nice Grip
Cover Product
ZTE Blade L3
FOCUS
p26 p28 4
INFORMATION ROUNDUP
6
SHOWCASE
8
HANDS-ON 8 Blade L3: Designed for the Young
Innovating the user interface (UI) can make users more capable. It is also an important differentiator for handset makers. In late 2014, ZTE launched MiFavor UI 3.0. The interface is concise, enables personalization and has elaborate details.
10 Blade Q1: A Compact Phone with Nice Grip
12
p12
FOCUS ZTE’s MiFavor UI 3.0: Giving You an Amazing User Experience
22
DESIGN & ART 22 Multi-Screen Integration of Three Giants 24 Achieving User Goals
2
NO.1 2015 http://wwwen.zte.com.cn/en/about/publications
26
SMART GADGETS
Mobile World Editorial Board
Make Smartphone Your Health Assistant
28
MOBILE MASTERY Cell Phone Camera Stabilizer: A New Way to Shoot
30
MOBILE APP Less is More: Irresistible Pixel Games
32
FASHION
Chairman: Zeng Xuezhong Vice Chairman: Sun Zhenge Members: Ao Wen, Chen Min, Dai Wenhong, Ding Ning, Gao Feng, Huang Xinming, Jiang Hua, Jiang Tao, Kan Yulun, Li Yuehua, Lin Rong, Wu Haoqiang, Xiao Qihu, Yan Hua, Zhu Dongtang, Zhao Wei, Zhang Lei Sponsor: ZTE Corporation Edited by Shenzhen Editorial Office, Strategy Planning Department Editor-in-Chief: Huang Xinming Executive Editor: Liu Yang Editor: He Xi Circulation Manager: Wang Pingping Address: NO. 55, Hi-tech Road South, Shenzhen, P.R.China Postcode: 518057 Tel: +86-755-26776663 Fax: +86-755-26775217 Email: he.xi50@zte.com.cn Publishing Date: February 28, 2015 Volume 8 No. 1 (Issue 35) First Issue Published in 2008
Equipped for Winter Jogging
34
All rights reserved. The content of this magazine may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the written consent of ZTE. Every effort has been made to ensure the information included is both accurate and complete; however, ZTE cannot accept misuse or misinterpretation of the information published or implied from the content.
ZTE WORLD STAR 1 has Arrived
p30 p33
p34 3
INFORMATION ROUNDUP
ZTE Spro 2 Wins BGR CES 2015 Seal of Approval On January 14, ZTE Spro 2, the company’s next generation smart projector was named one of the recipients of the BGR Seal of Approval. “ZTE invented a new category with the Spro portable projector, and the Spro 2 improves upon it in every conceivable way”, said BGR, the leading mobile and technology news source. ZTE Spro 2 was revealed on January 5 at CES 2015. It is the first smart projector to feature auto focus and auto keystone. It has an excellent short throw ratio, a 6300 mAh lithium ion battery and a resolution of 1280 x 720. It projects HD images up to 120 inches with a brightness of 200 lumens and supports eight devices via 4G LTE networks. With dimensions of only 5.1 x 5.2 x 1.5 inches, it easily fits in a carry all bag, briefcase or backpack.
ZTE Receives Four IDG Awards On January 7, ZTE Mobile Devices announced it was the recipient of four awards from the International Data Group (IDG). The “Global Smart Connected Devices Top 10”, “Global Smart Phones Top 10”, “Global Top 50 CE Brands” and “Top 10 Brands From China” awards were presented to ZTE at the Global Top Brands Awards Ceremony during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2015 on January 6-9 in Las Vegas. “IDG’s Global Top Brands campaign is a celebration of the most influential and innovative consumer electronic brands in the international market”, said Michael Friedenberg, CEO of IDG Communications, “This year’s awards recognize ZTE’s strong brand and product range which demonstrate its position as a global leader in the age of smart connectivity and mobile internet”. At CES 2015, ZTE showcased the ZTE STAR 2, an innovative device featuring the industry’s first system-level voice and speech recognition solution that is fully functional even when offline and without a network connection. ZTE’s CES 2015 line-up also included the Spro 2, a smart projector that blends innovation with practicality, and the cutting-edge ZTE Grand X Max+ phablet.
ZTE Sets up Innovation Venture Fund in America On January 5, ZTE USA announced the newly established ZTE Innovation Venture Fund at CES 2015. The new fund is designed to bring unique and innovative mobile applications and content to the North American market. Select mobile application developers and startups will have their ideas come to fruition when distributed across ZTE’s global ecosystem that consists of a growing range of “smart” mobile devices, from smartphones to smart media streaming projectors. ZTE is providing more than equity or financing, but also strategic partnership opportunities to jointly innovate with their teams. ZTE also provides startups with a global audience through the tens of millions of smartphones shipped worldwide every year.
Cricket Wireless and ZTE USA Debut Grand X Max+ On January 5, at CES 2015, Cricket Wireless and ZTE USA debuted the next-generation ZTE Grand X Max+, a 4G LTE (CAT4) Android smartphone available at Cricket. The hottest no-annual-contract smartphone just got hotter, by doubling-down on the camera resolution, memory, battery life and processing power. “We’re starting off the year with a mas-
4
sive 6” HD smartphone that delivers value without compromise to our customers”, said Jennifer Van Buskirk, president of Cricket Wireless. “The ZTE Grand X Max+ is the latest example of how we listen to our consumers and apply our expertise to bring them premium experiences at affordable prices”, said Lixin Cheng, chairman and CEO of ZTE USA.
INFORMATION ROUNDUP
ZTE Unveils Redesigned Logo On December 30, 2014, ZTE unveiled a redesigned logo, presenting a new corporate identity that is aligned with the company’s strategy to focus on transformative value-added M-ICT innovations for consumers, carriers, enterprises and organizations as mobile connectivity and cloud-based technologies reshape the digital landscape. The rounded design and lighter color of the new ZTE logo dovetails with the company’s new CGO (Cool & Green & Open) philosophy, which will drive innovations that are dynamic, youthful and compelling to users, sustainable and environmentally responsible, as well as open-minded and collaborative. The new ZTE slogan, “Tomorrow never waits”, reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing customers with access to technology solutions that will define the future.
ZTE Launches Blade S6 On January 28, ZTE released its Blade S6 4G LTE smartphone. The Blade S6 – per its name – boasts six key features designed to provide customers from across the board with world-class user experience. The new features include ZTE’s Smart Sense gesture motion control, world’s first Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 octa-core chipset running on the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system, a SLR like ultra-high-definition camera, Hi-Fi Sound, ZTE’s MiFavor 3.0 user interface and ZTE’s AliveShare application for networkless communication. To date, the Blade series has accounted for over 20 million units of ZTE’s global device sales, thereby validating the company’s strategy of adding high-end features to devices targeted at multiple customer segments.
ZTE Unveils New Brand Identity at Golden State Warriors Game On December 31, 2014, ZTE USA kicked off the New Year early by unveiling its new global brand identity in the US at a Golden State Warriors home game at Oracle Arena. The more consumerfocused branding includes a new logo and tagline, “Tomorrow never waits”. This was the first time the company brought its new brand identity to the US as part of its relationship as the official smartphone of the Golden State Warriors. In addition to the new brand visual identity, ZTE held a phone donation drive with the Golden State Warriors, a philanthropic effort designed to benefit the Warriors Community Foundation’s Hoops for Kids program, giving Bay Area youth the gift of technology they might not otherwise receive.
ZTE Launches Voice Controlled STAR 2 in China On December 18, 2014, ZTE held an official launch in Guangzhou, China for the STAR 2, its latest 4G LTE flagship voice controlled device. Key highlights of the ZTE STAR 2 include intelligent system-level voice control, an enhanced mobile entertainment experience, and a brand new customizable UI. “ZTE is pleased to announce the launch of the ZTE STAR 2, which offers superior voice
control functions that redefine the smartphone experience”, said ZTE President Shi Lirong, “Building on the success of STAR 1, STAR 2 represents the latest product from our biometrics voice integration strategy. ZTE is committed to changing people’s lives and how they interact with mobile devices in the connected world era via mobile broadband internet”.
5
SHOWCASE
Great Music
ZTE Zhuyun Earphone Bamboo is an important element in Chinese arts. ZTE Zhuyun earphone has a bionic design that integrates bamboo into all components of the earphone. It uses the TPE cable, which prevents your earphones from getting tangled. The sound cavity is made of aviation alloy. The CCAW voice coil from Japan and the bio-cellulose diaphragm ensures high quality sound over low, medium, and high frequencies. The dual-color food-grade silicon earplug fits comfortably into your ears and avoids noise. The earphone can change the damping plate, which allows users to switch between pop music and rock music modes.
Super Long Battery Life
ZTE Blade V2 Lite Battery life is a bottleneck that affects our enjoyment of a smartphone. A phone may be powerful but have a short battery life. ZTE Blade V2 Lite is designed to solve this problem with a 3400 mAh large-capacity battery. So you can use your smartphone throughout the day without worrying about having to recharge it. This 5-inch phone has high-end quad-core CPU with 1 GB RAM configuration that enables you to run common apps smoothly. It supports dual SIM cards and 4G LTE CAT4 network, which enables very fast downloads. It has a 5-megapixel auto-focusing rear camera and 2-megapixel front camera. · Camera: 5-megapixel (rear) and 2-megapixel (front) · Screen: 5-inch FWVGA · Configuration: MT6732M, 1 GB RAM, 8 GB ROM · Battery: 3400 mAh
6
· Color: Gold/Coffee · Weight: 17 g · Interface: 3.5 mm · Line control: Yes · Accessories: SLM 3-category earplug and dust-proof interface jacket
SHOWCASE
The design concept for Grand Band
Personal Consultant
ZTE Grand Band There are many types of bracelets on the market. However, there are few that are well designed. ZTE Grand Band is one of these. It has 95 built-in LEDs that form a dot-matrix LED screen and looks like a fashionable watch. As well as time, it can display mode, remaining battery, and power-on/off. The band is water-resistant and has water-proof charging points. It takes only 1.5 hours to fully charge and lasts for a week. In addition to pedometer and sleep monitor, it can also monitor whether you’ve been sitting for too long and reminds you to have a rest after a long period of work. By default, the band configures your daily steps goal as 10,000. However, you can change your goal. · Display: Dot-matrix LED screen · Weight: 21 g · Battery: 90 mAh · Mode: Sleep/Sports · Data: Transmitted via bluetooth 4.0 · Supplemented by: Android/iOS devices & Keepfit app
7
HANDS-ON
Blade L3
Designed for the Young Most young people like large-screen smartphones, but smartphones with 5.5-inch or larger screens may not easily fit in your jeans pocket or jacket pocket. ZTE Blade L3, a phone for the young, has a 5-inch screen and an ultra-thin bezel. It strikes a balance between portability and screen size. The phone allows you to enjoy the visual impact of a large screen.
1. Ultra-thin body with a 5-inch screen The 5-inch screen is not small, but the phone is still light and thin. Blade L3 has a narrow bezel, which makes for a bigger display and slimmer device. The nice arc on the rear makes the phone feel good and also gives the phone a slimmer look. With this design, the screen is accessible for most one-hand operations.
Designed with Youth in Mind It is more difficult to design a high-end smartphone than a smartphone with a high price-performance ratio for young people who like to express their personality and try out new things. They have higher demands in terms of hardware configuration, audio and video, and camera. The requirements on ZTE Blade L3 are stringent. After a 24-hour test, we found that the phone breezes through these challenges.
2
1
2. Reliable performance Young people like trying popular apps, so their smartphones need to have impressive configurations so that performance is reliable. Blade L3 has a 1.3 GHz MT6582M quad-core processor coupled with 1 GB RAM. It scored 19,319 on the AnTuTu benchmark test. Although not as good as flagship smartphones, it is still a very competitive product that provides fluidity and speed.
4 5
lis st y
re a
8
2 mins
es ar cd Its
It
ha
sa
sh
in
ign
in
en
ga
ab
nd
th e n T ca he tc ca hi m ng er . ao
1 min
ce . le Th s op e g o er nar od ati ro gr on w ip . co fra nv me en m ie ak nt e . so T pu he ne re flat -h . an ico d n de sig n is co Yo nc ke u c ise y a an an cc se d or t di th ng e to me yo nu ur ke pr y a ef n It er d in tak en ba sta e ce ck s ll a litt s. l do e ze tim n e ap to ps d . ow nl oa It d th sco an e re An s d tu 19 tu ,3 1 5. 9 0. (a ve ra ge le ve Th l) e on ca m er ac an be in iti at ed in sta nt ly.
ar an pe h
ap
se ye ri
Blade L3 24-Hour Experience Test
3. Display The display area of Blade L3 is larger than that of iPhone 6 but smaller than that of iPhone 6 Plus. It is bright and color rendering is accurate. When displaying videos and pictures, it has a vivid impact and is very suitable for playing games. The display has FWVGA resolution at an affordable price.
3 mins
6 mins
50 mins
60 mins
2 hrs
3 hrs
5 hrs
HANDS-ON
Specifications OS: Android 4.4 Screen: 5-inch, FWVGA CPU: MT6582M quad-core 1.3 GHz Built-in storage: 1 GB RAM + 8 GB ROM Camera: 5-megapixel (rear) and 2-megapixel (front) Network: GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; UMTS: 900/1900/2100 or 850/1900/2100 Battery: 2000 mAh Dimensions: 142.5 mm × 72.5 mm × 8.6 mm
3
Unique Experience Shooting
The rear camera of Blade L3 impresses us greatly. Although it is a 5-megapixel camera, it has high dynamic range and captures near-perfect details in the daytime. Its performance at night is also commendable. In a room with only an incandescent lamp, the camera quickly focuses with flash compensation. Even with the flashlight turned off, the pictures are also satisfactory in terms of noise cancelling and detail processing.
5. Multiple color options Personality is a design concept of Blade L3, and there are multiple color options including sliver, champagne gold, red and black, all of which are attractive and fashionable choices. It is one of the appealing aspects of Blade L3. You can choose your favorite color to demonstrate your personality.
Gaming
A ca fter m a er lo at n ak g p es re ph ss ot of os th co e s nti hu nu tte Its ou r, t we 5 sly he . ll i -me n ga th p e ixe ev l en re in ar g. ca m er ap Fa er M ce fo od B rm e eau ar t s e yM av ai od la e bl a e. nd It Liv in pro e gm d Ph u us ce ot ic. s a o gr ea ts ou nd w It he sti n ll h pl ay as 23 % of ba tte ry le ft.
4. Camera For young people, smartphones are a tool to shoot and share, so the camera is crucial in a phone targeting youth. Blade L3 has a 5-megapixel autofocus camera with built-in flash on the rear. It optimizes low-light imaging. Rich shooting functions are also available, including smile shot, self timer and face detection, continuous shooting and panorama.
5 hrs 30 mins
7 hrs 10 mins
10 hrs
13 hrs
24 hrs
Two games are installed in Blade L3 to test its gaming performance: “Plants vs Zombies 2” and “DoodleJump”. Plants vs Zombies runs very smoothly. If there are many plants or approaching zombies in the endless mode, the running speed sometimes slows down but not enough to affect normal play. Doodle Jump runs smoothly throughout.
Optional Analog TV
Analog TV is not common for a smartphone, but Blade L3 supports it. If you do not have a TV at home, this function is a welcome addition.
Mobile World Says:
As a phone targeting the young, Blade L3 expresses individuality in terms of appearance and configuration. 9
HANDS-ON
Blade Q1
A Compact Phone with Nice Grip In 2014, the trend in smartphones is “bigger is better” with many phone models sporting a 5.5–6-inch screen. However, compact smartphones are still in demand. In 2015, the market will be dominated by both large-screen smartphones and compact smartphones. To meet user demands, ZTE launched the 4-inch Blade Q1 that allows easy one-hand operations and feels smooth to hold. Blade Q1 will win over those who want a smaller phone.
New Design Idea for Small-Size Phones Although large-screen phones give a strong visual experience, it is inconvenient if you cannot hold it in one hand. Blade Q1 inherits the advantages of small-screen phones and avoids their disadvantages at the same time. It focuses on the phone’s external design and feel. In addition, it tries to balance the hardware configuration and ease of use, making Blade Q1 stand out among 4-inch phones.
1. Fashionable light and thin Blade Q1 is designed for energetic young people and has a dynamic appearance. The tested phone has a shiny sky-blue rear cover that is made of polycarbonate, which is also used for iPhone 5C and is welcomed by many because it is resistant to wear. Polycarbonate can be tinted in different colors and Blade Q1 comes in multiple colors.
3
5
4
2
2. Feel smooth in hand Polycarbonate has high plasticity. The arc in the rear cover of Blade Q1 takes full consideration of hand grip feeling. In addition, the phone with a 4-inch screen lets you hold the smartphone comfortably. These make the phone fit nicely into the palm of your hand. Unlike large-screen phones, Blade Q1 allows your thumb to touch any place on the screen for easy one-hand operation.
It in loo gl k ar s s ge m -sc all re wh en e ph n I M on too th y t es k e hu fo it a sc m r l ft re b on er en ca g. us . n to uc h Th ev er sim e yw ila mat he r t er re o ial th u on at se of d o i n P A ho th ob 4-i ne e b vio nc 5C ac h us sc . k is ad re va en nt is ag sm es a . ll b V ut re olu it ac m ha ha e a s bl nd e. p ow er ke ys It ar e su ha ea pp s a sil or re y ts m tw ov o ab SI le M r ca ear rd c slo ove Aft ts r a An er in nd dr th sid oi e e. d ph in o te n rfa e i ce s p ap ow pe er ar ed T sq o pr he ui n, t e- UI ck h in is ly. e sta cl lle ose d t Go o og sto le ck ap An ps dr Th . oi to e d, uc ro w h un ith do d h ts o is me aZ b TE utt fe on at fl ur an e. ke d by
Blade Q1 24-Hour Experience Test
1 min 10
2 mins
3 mins
6 mins
50 mins
60 mins
2 hrs
3 hrs
5 hrs
HANDS-ON
Specifications OS: Android 4.4 Screen: 4-inch, 800 x 800 CPU: 1 GHz MT6572M dual core Built-in storage: 512 MB RAM + 4 GB ROM Camera: 2-megapixel (rear) and 0.3-megapixel (front) Network: GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; UMTS: 900/2100 or 850/2100 MHz Battery: 1400 mAh Dimensions: 126.5 mm x 64 mm x 9.8 mm
1
Special Experience An Array of Pre-Installed Google Apps
Blade Q1 has an array of pre-installed Google services, including Gmail, Google+, Drive, YouTube, and even Office. You can enjoy these basic functions as long as you get the phone.
3. Sufficient configuration Blade Q1 does not blindly pursue high-end configuration. It uses Android 4.4, an MT6572M dual-core CPU (1 GHz), 4 GB flash memory, and 512 MB RAM. Such configuration may not satisfy all hardware enthusiasts but is easy to run apps for daily use smoothly. In addition, the phone consumes very low power and the battery can last for a longer time.
5 hrs 30 mins
7 hrs 10 mins
13 hrs
Blade Q1 fully supports video playing. It is compatible with most existing video and audio formats. We tested a clip of 720p HD MP4 movie, which played smoothly. In addition, the phone provides a remarkable audio experience.
Shooting
Blade Q1 has a 2-megapixel rear camera that may not provide you with the pictures for print purposes, but there is no issue for you to share the pictures on a social network. Its imaging is good. The photos are medium sized so that even when you take many pictures, your memory won’t overflow.
5. Simple and easy-to-use UI design Blade Q1 has the typical design of ZTE—round home button flanked by two dots for the menu and back keys. With appropriate vibration feedback and simple system UI, it is easy for you to operate the phone. The phone also supports a special Easy Mode UI for the elderly and visually impaired. In this mode, the UI is enlarged to show bigger fonts, making operation more direct and simple.
It ta s h kin igh g f -sp un ee cti d on co is ntin ex u ce ou lle s p nt ic . tu re Ta k te in r. g Op a er pic ati tu on re s o , an n d SN sh S a are re it sm to oo Tw th it. W pi hil ct e ur ta es ki at ng an a v y ti id m eo, e. it ca n ta ke W a w ith ho a m le id da -le y, ve 40 l u % se po o we f B r r lad em e Q ai 1 ns fo . r
4. Rich camera functions It is very common for young people to take pictures and share them on social networks. Blade Q1 supports smile shutter enabling you to take selfies without pressing the shutter. The face detection and self timer functions also make taking selfies simpler. When you take pictures of things in motion, it is able to capture up to 99 pictures in quick succession. Then, you can choose your favorite ones.
Video Playing Experience
24 hrs
Mobile World Says:
Blade Q1 is a compact smartphone that has a light thin body and feels good in the hand. In addition, it keeps a balance between configuration and system design, making it very suitable for users who prefer one-hand operation. 11
FOCUS
ZTE’s MiFavor UI 3.0:
Giving You an Amazing User Experience Innovating the user interface (UI) can make users more capable. It is also an important differentiator for handset makers. In 2011, ZTE’s UI designers attempted to unify the user experience across various customized Android smartphones and came up with a scheme called MiFavor, which is short for “my favorite.” Since 2011, the UI has been upgraded several times. In late 2014, ZTE launched MiFavor UI 3.0.
A Look at MiFavor 3.0
● By Wang Chuanhui
A good UI must be supported by a powerful design philosophy. The design philosophy of the MiFavor is “Friendly, Innovative, Pure, and Thoughtful.” “Friendly” means a friendly and helpful interaction design. “Innovative” refers to being adventurous while remaining true to the heritage. “Pure” refers to flat patterns and bright colors. “Thoughtful” refers to intelligent design.
Three Main Features MiFavor 3.0 opens up a new era for ZTE’s product experience and has the following features: 1. Smart personalization. MiFavor 3.0 provides customization based on the time, place, and environmental changes.
12
2. Carefully crafted details. The MiFavor 3.0 improves user experience by seeking perfection in every detail. 3. Thoughtful simplicity. Too many choices and procedures add unnecessary complexity. MiFavor 3.0 is a smart but concise UI.
Color as a Starting Point Colors can evoke different emotions and moods. A highlight of MiFavor 3.0 is the use of color. When asked about the handset’s colors, people often talk about the colors used for the phone’s exterior, not the UI. ZTE’s UI designers use colors as the starting point to customize their desktop. The system is pre-installed with 10 colors and you can find more choices in the everupdating library.
FOCUS
ZTE Blade L3
Individualized Charm Focusing on the 20- to 30-year-olds, ZTE Blade L3 can be personalized to meet individual preferences. The menu and back keys next to the home button can be set to the right or left, depending on your habits. Blade L3 is available in rich colors, including silver, champagne gold, red and black, making it also an accessory item.
Multiple Customization Options MiFavor 3.0 allows free combination of background colors, wallpapers, icons, and transition effects. Slide your finger on the lock screen or desktop and a customization panel appears. You can choose the colors as well as the wallpapers, transition effects and icons with simple taps. Thus, a unique desktop can be created. Given 10 sets of different icons and wallpapers, users will have 100 desktop combinations. Users can preview the effects in real time.
The contents in the online desktop material library could be updated continuously.
13
FOCUS
ZTE Blade L3
Perfect Image ZTE Blade L3 has a good display and camera, leading to perfectly reproduced images. The 5-inch screen is bright and accurately reproduces colors, which helps produce punchier images. The phone has a 5-megapixel rear camera with auto focus and LED flash. It also has multiple shooting functions, so you can get creative. The flash can be turned on for low-light shooting.
14
FOCUS
A Different Day with MiFavor 3.0
● By Wang Chuanhui 1
MiFavor 3.0 is a fresh UI that comes with new functionalities that make you life more convenient.
AM 07:00
AM 07:42
AM 08:11
In the morning, the alarm rings, and the weather is displayed.（1）
The desktop can be customized according to your preferences (such as clothing), making the cell phone a tool to show yourself.（2）
Massive online music is available.（3）
4
5
AM 11:00
AM 08:36
You will not miss anything at a conference because the phone collects recordings from multiple directions without interruption (unless it runs out of battery). （5）
The driving mode allows you to enjoy driving on the way to work.（4） 3
2
PM 01:15
6
You can perform voiceactivated shooting and combine the picture taken on both the front and rear cameras, and share the photos immediately with your friends.（6）
PM 04:57
PM 06:12
Make a call with the keypad that suits your palm. The size and location of the keypad can be adjusted for easy one-hand operation.（7）
Comfortably answer an incoming call. You can slide up or down on the screen to answer or reject a call. （8）
7
8
9
10
11
PM 08:48
PM 07:16
PM 06:46
LinkZone Wi-Fi management tool ensures an energy-saving network environment. It turns the Wi-Fi on and off automatically according to the time or location. （11）
You can close annoying notifications by sliding your finger left.（10）
Smart power-saving management provides multiple options and optimization levels.（9）
15
FOCUS
Versatile Camera 3.0 ● By Yuan Xiaoli Camera 3.0 is one of the most popular cell phone applications. What new features will it have?
A Concise Interface Camera 3.0 creates a whole new visual effect. Gray is used for the background, and blue is used for highlights, making the UI concise and fresh. It uses flat design to improve usability.
Skin beautifying Camera 3.0 has five-level skin beautifying function for both images and videos. Therefore, you can look more beautiful even in videos.
In auto mode, you can take photos with no shutter time lag simply by tapping the camera button. There is no need to set any parameter. To capture continuous motions, you just need to hold the camera button, and the camera can take up to 20 photos easily.
provides the sight alignment function and presents the sight alignment frame in the best place according to the position of the front camera. You no longer get pictures with erratic eyes.
Tap the button in the lower-left corner and you’ll see more than 10 fancy shooting options in a drop-down list. With all the unnecessary icons such as shutter button and flashlight button hidden, users can focus on choosing the shooting mode. The combination of icons with texts is neat and easy-to-understand.
Rich Functions Voice activation The key feature of Camera 3.0 is voice activation. The immediate advantage of voice activation is to free both hands and avoid poor image quality caused by pressing the button or touching the screen. Take a picture by just saying “shoot” or “cheese.” Before automatic identification and shooting, a two-second countdown is provided for you to adjust the facial expression. In addition, many other voice-activated operations are added to Camera 3.0. You can control camera switching, flash status, and enter and exit the camera through voice.
You can get the instructions to voice function by saying”help”.
16
Other interesting shooting functions To shoot landscapes in bright sunlight, select HDR. To shoot a full-view picture on a hilltop, select Panorama. To filter out a passer-by when taking a photo at a scenic spots, select Photo clear. To take a snapshot without deformation in a diagonal position, select Straighten. For better composition guide, select Template. Group mode When friends get together they often take pictures. However, how can all of them have the best expression at the same time? With group mode, the best facial expression of everyone can be combined into one photo.
Sight alignment When taking a selfie, you may want to make your eyes look more natural. Camera 3.0
Slow-motion recording Slow-motion recording is a new video camera function. Slowmotion shooting can lower the motion speed fourfold. Thus, you can watch water drops and leaping flames. 4K HD video recording, dual-camera shooting, and time-lapse shooting modes are all available.
Front and back cameras can be used together to offer a variety of composition choices and for better integration into the background scene.
FOCUS
Smart Voice Control
A Day with Smart Voice
● By Li Wei Cell phones have changed from keyboard control to touchscreen control. But all these are related to “hands.” The emergence of voice technologies has radically changed the way people use smart terminals.
ZTE’s Efforts in Smart Voice ZTE invested into mobile voice technology R&D as early as 2009 and has customized several voice controlled cell phones for US operators. At PT/EXPO COMM CHINA 2014 in Beijing, ZTE has established the “Smart Voice Alliance” together with leading enterprises and institutions in the voice technology field. The goal of the strategic alliance is to integrate voice technologies and resources in both the upstream and downstream industrial chain and to build a standard platform that will enable a stable and fast paced growth for the whole industry. Meanwhile, ZTE has announced the “5A” protocol as the first industry-wide code of practice. Now, ZTE’s voice service on MiFavor 3.0 has been integrated into several system-level applications. The voice service will be completely integrated into the mobile phone system in the near future and after that, the system will incorporate human intelligence.
The “5A” Protocol The first industry-wide standard protocol “5A” has been based on 5 clear principles. 1.Anyone: The world’s first customizable low-power wakeup Record a voice command by using the lowpower wakeup technology, and set the corresponding action to be “call your friend.” In standby mode, if you say the recorded voice command, your friend will be called. 2.Anyhow: System-level seamless integration Siri-like voice apps are merely a voice app. Users must enter a voice app to use voice services rather than use the voice service with other services simultaneously. ZTE’s voice service has been integrated into the camera, call, contacts, music, navigation, driving, calendar, SMS, recording, and notebook services. You can listen to music and use voice commands at the same time without exiting the current app. 3.Anytime: 24/7 standby, cloud-based
Advanced technologies create a distinctive around-the-clock voice assistant. The cloud service has powerful ability to understand natural language. Cloud voice services will improve speech recognition rate, provide better user experience, and increase user loyalty. 4.Anything: Internet of Things for smart life When interconnected with Bluetooth headsets, wearable devices, vehiclemounted devices, and smart home, smartphones are used as the control center and can build a fully intelligent interactive system based on voice control. In addition, supported by the back-end cloud storage services, smartphones can collect statistics and analyze user habits to provide intelligent services. 5.Anywhere: Say anything in various scenarios ZTE uses microphone arrays, Nuance Close Talk, and self-developed methods for noise reduction to guarantee user experience.
AM 07:00 The alarm rings. (Low-power wakeup + voiceprint unlock) Get up and say “Unlock the screen.” “Can I help you?” “Play the theme song of My Love from the Star.”
AM 07:50 Get into the car. (Use voice to activate the app Driving Assistant) ”Start the Driving Assistant.” “The Driving Assistant has been started.” “Driving Assistant.” (Voice navigation) ”Please say a voice command.” “Navigate to the Company.” (Voice-activated phone answering) “Linda is calling. Answer or reject it?” “Answer it.”
AM 10:00 PM 15:00 Make a reservation for the dinner with the family. ”Hello, ZTE.” “Call XX Restaurant.”
PM 17:00
A business trip to Beijing decided in a meeting. (Voice yellow page) ”Hello, ZTE.” “Call Air China.” The call is connected, and the ticket is booked.
Running in a Gym ”Darling is calling. Answer or reject it?” “I’m off duty.” “OK, I’ll pick you up right now.”
PM 18:00
ZTE’s Driving Assistant app demonstrated at an exhibition
At dinner. (Voice-activated selfie) ”Cheese.” “Share the photo with friends on WeChat.” “Photo shared.”
PM 19:30 Get into the car after dinner. ”Driving Assistant, navigate home.” “Navigator started. Have a nice trip.”
17
FOCUS
Convenient Settings ● By Li Lingling The design of Settings menu has always been problematic. Android has had integrated many functions in system settings since it was introduced. With increasingly powerful smartphone functions, the stock Settings menu list is becoming longer. Enabling fast, convenient settings has become an urgent problem.
Common and All Tabs The structure of the Settings menu has gone through several major adjustments. All versions including Mifavor 2.2 and earlier use long menus, but provide the menu grouping function for users to quickly locate a function. To solve the difficulties in scrolling up and down on up to six or seven menu screens, MiFavor 2.3 uses four tabs: Network (wireless and network functions), Device (sound and display settings), Operations (features such as gestures and actions), and System (system-level functions, for example, application management). The Settings menu of MiFavor 2.3 has largely solved the problem of scrolling up and down repeatedly but seems complicated to first-time users. In MiFavor 3.0, the Settings menu is divided into “Common” and “All” tabs. Since some function menus in the system are infrequently used, our goal is to let you perform most operations through the Common tab, which includes the function items with high usage frequency, such as WLAN, Bluetooth, ringtone, volume, sound and vibration, and application management. However, you are allowed to adjust the contents of the Common tab, which further improves ease of use.
notifications, you are hindered by the complex operations. You need to go to the management interface of each app. MiFavor 3.0 provides a notification setting that enables batch operations on notifications. Say goodbye to the annoying push notifications just by tapping on the screen.
Batch operations on notifications
Saving Battery In the smartphone era, most people are worried about excessive power consumption when using cell phones away from home. The traditional power-saving mode prevents you from using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, which may affect your experience. MiFavor 3.0 provides a full range of power management policies such as intelligent control of CPU frequency and unified wakeup frequency for background apps. When the battery is low, super-long standby mode can be enabled. Data connection, GPS and Wi-Fi will be closed and the screen will be made less bright, but you will not miss important calls or text messages.
Battery management
Application Management MiFavor 3.0 enables easy application management. You can move and uninstall applications in batches on the application management interface. MiFavor 3.0 also provides a centralized function for default settings of different apps. An app can be selected or canceled as the default app for specific operations. You can find the entrance to the default application on the level-1 Settings menu.
No More Notifications One of the disadvantages of Android is that all apps push notifications. The notification bar is full of various icons and content, which often disturbs users. In addition, users are worried about increasing background data usage. Although Android allows you to turn off
18
Move and uninstall apps in batches
Set an app as the default app for specific operations
FOCUS
ZTE Blade L3
Unique Design ZTE Blade L3 is a 5-inch big-screen smartphone especially made for young people who are tech-savvy and rely on electronic devices. So that you can slip it into your pants pocket, Blade L3 has a narrow bezel and ergonomically curved back. The phone is more compact and suitable for one-hand operation. In addition, Blade L3 supports analog TV. If you like to watch live events on the move, this is a good choice.
19
FOCUS
Information Module: Catering to User Habits â—? By Li Cong and Wang Lina It is important for the information module of a smartphone to provide functions and interactions closely linked to user habits.
3.Message box When a new message is received, the sender and message are displayed in a pop-up box where you can reply to the message. If you are playing games, the new message will not interrupt you. It will be displayed in a small window on the top and will disappear automatically after a short while.
Closer to Users The MiFavor 3.0 information module is userfriendly. It enables simple and convenient interaction. 1.Messages displayed by category If you slide to the right in the conversation list, unread messages, favorites, and blocked messages can be displayed. Messages that are not read are displayed as unread. You can mark all unread messages as read. You can also press and hold a message to add it to favorites. ZTE’s My-Assistant mobile app blocks spam sms which are displayed as blocked messages. 2.Colorful and individualized UI If you do not like the default background or bubbles, MiFavor UI 3.0 provides various backgrounds and bubbles, and allows you to set your favorite photos as wallpapers.
3.Easily sharing photos and business cards In a message box, tap the add button and all the types of files that can be shared are displayed. When you add multiple files, the system automatically determines whether to include them in different slides.
Innovative The information module innovates on existing versions.
20
1.Notification categorization It is easy to remove advertisements from the conversation list. All the notifications are displayed automatically in the notifications folder, and you can tap this folder to view all the notifications. 2.Conversation at top Users would like to place their conversions with important persons in the most prominent position. This can be easily achieved by pressing and holding a conversation, and setting it to stay at top. The conversation will then be displayed on the top of the conversation list, and the icon is marked by a blue circle.
Simple Elegance Minimalism is a design trend that has also influenced websites and electronic products. The MiFavor 3.0 information module has been simplified based on the existing version. For example, the inbox/ outbox folders that are not frequently used are abandoned; interaction methods are optimized; and SMS and MMS settings are integrated and simplified. Flat patterns and bright, consistent module colors are used to give MiFavor 3.0 a more fashionable look.
Return to the Basics The MiFavor 3.0 information module has abandoned the gorgeous but useless functions, and focuses on improving the most commonly used functions. It allows you to select a recipient rapidly. The last six contacts to whom you have made calls or sent messages are displayed, and you can tap on any of the contacts to send messages. You can also enter the initials to find a contact. Moreover, you can search for all contacts and messages. Just tap the search box and enter a keyword, the results will be displayed immediately.
FOCUS
Creating a Perfect Call Experience ● By Zhao Haiqi Phone call is the most frequently used function; therefore, MiFavor 3.0 gives a perfect call experience by optimizing this basic function.
One-Click Number Saving
Answering Calls Easily
Take user A, a sales manager, for example. When negotiating business outside, the sales manager needs to call a colleague in the company to confirm something urgent. When he calls the office, the person he’s looking for isn’t in. He asks the person taking the call to send him the other person’s phone number but doesn’t have a pen and paper. MiFavor 3.0 provides the one-click number saving function on the call interface. He can invoke the dial pad, enter the number, and click save.
Users never know where they would receive an incoming call, probably in the car, or in a supermarket. No matter where they are, they want to answer the call easily.
Handling an Incoming Call During an Ongoing Call Telephone communication is essential for business people, who often have another incoming call before one ends. They are worried about hanging up the ongoing call if they answer the incoming call. Actually, the call hold/end and answer functions are available, and the operations that can be performed are clearly displayed.
People tend to answer most of the incoming calls, and therefore they need to perform the answering operations easily, especially when they are holding the phone in one hand. Now everything is easier with MiFavor 3.0. You can just slide downwards to answer a call, slide upwards to reject a call, and slide upwards to reject a call and send an SMS.
Slide downwards to answer a call, slide upwards to reject a call
You know where to touch when there is an incoming call during an onging call.
Save the number during a call through the one-click number saving function
Flexible Dial Pad Cell phone screens have become so large that you may find it difficult to make a call. However, you no longer need to worry about that. By holding the button at the lower left corner of the dial pad, you can change the dial pad to an appropriate size.
Are you still troubled by dialing on a large screen? Try the flexible dial pad.
Bringing You Immersive Sound ● By Fang Xinkai Music is indispensable for a cell phone, and people have gotten used to listening to music on a cell phone. However, most cell phones do not provide good user experience. This is always a problem of cell phones rather than headphones. Most high-quality headphones have high impedance and fail to provide powerful sound when used with a cell phone. Many cell phone manufacturers have improved the sound through built-in software. The bestknown is Dolby Digital Plus. Dolby Digital Plus is an advanced surround sound audio
technology developed by Dolby Laboratories and it allows users to have an immersive feeling as if they were at live concerts. Most cell phones that have Dolby sound effects make users disappointed because such excellent technology does not make any big difference. However, MiFavor 3.0 with Dolby Digital Plus delivers a more satisfying surround sound experience whether you listen to rock and roll, pop music, classical music, or jazz. Open the music settings and you will see Dolby audio option, which includes parameters configured for a variety of musical styles.
21
DESIGN & ART
Multi-Screen Integration
of Three Giants Not long ago, the operating systems in mobile phones, tablets and computers were completely different. Recently, people have found that their user interfaces are becoming similar. A computer can even be used to make phone calls or send messages, and its user interface, operation modes and features are more and more like those of a mobile phone or tablet. The only difference is screen size. Microsoft, Google and Apple have all made great efforts in multi-screen integration, but who is ahead?
In 2010, iPhone OS was renamed iOS. In 2012, Mac OS X was renamed OS X. In 2014, Mac OS X Yosemite and iOS 8 removed the barriers between Mac and mobile devices. In these four years, each step Apple took towards system integration changed user habits and users only needed to take a short time to learn about the changes. Apple almost perfectly unifies the smartphone, tablet and desktop.
22
Microsoft is not as lucky as Apple, although it has the largest number of users, was the first to develop smart terminals, and has many developers. Every time Microsoft attempted integration they faced resistance from users. The most typical example is the Modern interface. Modern UI aimed for a unifying experience across computers, smartphones and tablets but this attempt was criticized the most.
Google has two major platforms: Android, which is the most widelyused smartphone operating system; and Chrome, which has integrated Google’s cloud computing and services and enables users to do everything online. However, Chrome only has a few users, the majority of whom are students. Therefore, the integration of these two platforms is unavoidable. It is just a matter of time before any Android app can be installed and run on Chrome.
DESIGN & ART
Significance of Integration
Special Feature
Apple: OS X Yosemite and iOS 8
Handoff
Collaboration between devices requires solving problems such as document transfer, progress follow-up, network sharing, and hardware barriers. Apple made a start with its own software, and a large number of third-party apps followed. These integration features can be fully experienced only after users buy other Apple devices. For a company whose major source of profits comes from hardware sales, it is a smart move.
If you have to walk away from webpage surfing or an unfinished email, you can seamlessly continue it on any iOS device. You can also use Handoff with some third-party apps.
Apple’s integration trends: Maintaining two systems and two types of devices; similar UIs for OS X and iOS devices; collaborative but independent apps Unique features: Continuity in answering and making phone calls and receiving and sending messages; handoff in-progress tasks; AirDrop for document sharing; Instant Hotspot for internet access sharing
Significance of Integration Microsoft: Windows 10 to Unify Platforms After attempting the Modern interface, Microsoft is determined to unify the operation experience across computers and smartphones. The upcoming Windows 10 will have a unified core of OS elements. Windows 10 will automatically switch mode according to the device you use. Apps for all devices can be downloaded from a single app store, and the apps are compatible with all devices, achieving interoperability of different platforms.
Special Feature Office Microsoft will create an all-platform Office. A new touch-optimized version of Office will be launched for computers, tablets and mobile phones. This will be preinstalled on smartphones for free.
Microsoft’s integration trends: One system supports all hardware. The operating systems of both computers and handheld terminals will be merged, and apps will be compatible with all devices. Unique features: Cross-platform integration, unified app development, and unified user experience
Significance of Integration Google: Chrome OS and Android Lollipop Although Google did not use Android to unify all devices, Chrome in its latest update uses the same design language—Material Design as Android Lollipop does and runs Android apps. Android apps can even access Chrome camera and clipboard. However, integration is just a beginning. Chrome cannot make phone calls or receive or send messages as Apple OS can, but only to receive important notifications from Android.
Special Feature Easy Unlock Mobile phones can be used to verify identity. If a connected Android Lollipop mobile phone is detected by a Chrome device, the device automatically unlocks. If the mobile phone is taken away, the Chrome device automatically locks.
Google’s integration trends: One system for various kinds of devices; Android being the core of its smart devices; distinctive differences between these devices Unique features: Shared apps; proximity-based Easy Unlock; Chrome receiving notifications of calls and messages from Android mobile phones
23
DESIGN & ART
Achieving User Goals
The Design Concept Behind ZTE’s Smart Voice Service ● By An Shunyu Why should ZTE make voice controlled smartphones? Compared with Siri and Google Now, what advantages does ZTE’s voice control have? What should I do if I feel embarrassed to speak to a phone? These are the questions that are often put on the designer of voice interaction for ZTE’s STAR series smartphone.
GUI vs. VUI Currently, the graphical user interface (GUI) is the most common type of interface that allows a user to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and visual indicators such as secondary notation. However, the hierarchical tree structure of GUIs makes it difficult to simplify the operation steps. For example, when a user wants to play music on their smartphone, they first need to find the icon for “music” and then find the album they want before playing it. All this requires interaction with graphical elements in the UI. Is there any other technology that can overcome the tree architecture of GUIs to make operation easier? The answer is voice. In recent years, voice technology has become increasingly sophisticated and is used in many fields. Voice user interface (VUI) offers interaction in a natural and intuitive way. Handset manufacturers are embracing voice technology. For ZTE, the biggest advantage of voice service is the ability to reach any position in the hierarchical tree structure of a UI.
The Challenges Ahead Voice control apps such as Siri and Google Now have attracted much attention. However, statistics
24
show that most users stop using them after a while. Although speech is the most intuitive interaction method for human beings, massive semantic analysis and large databases are needed for man-machine interaction. Most voice apps use online databases that are unavailable offline. Voice recognition also requires a relatively quiet environment, and the recognition rate will be greatly reduced if the environment is too noisy. These two factors seriously limit the application scenarios of voice services, and prevent users from using voice control. Moreover, some users may feel embarrassed to talk into their cell phone, especially in public. Voice technology has advantages and disadvantages. How to avoid the negative factors, reduce dependence on the environment, and enable natural and smooth interaction with smartphones is a huge challenge for ZTE.
ZTE’s Smart Voice Service User Experience Goal
We held many discussions to identify ZTE’s goals for product experience. We wanted to offer an efficient user experience by leveraging the directto-target feature of VUI. Therefore, ZTE’s smart voice service has to be fast.
The Voice Activation Solution
To be fast, the voice service had to be activated directly and rapidly, and also had to be available anytime and anywhere. Therefore, we decided to integrate the VUI and GUI on a system level. We associated voice activation with hardware. Users can activate ZTE’s voice service by long-pressing the home button.
DESIGN & ART
ZTE USA Chairman and CEO Lixin Cheng is demonstrating the voice activated shooting function to NBA legend player Clyde Drexler at CES 2015.
WhatsApp to the voice app, play music with voice command, and then return to WhatsApp. However, the experience is still not seamless. This is where ZTE has made improvements. Because voice service is independent from user interface, we thought that VUI and GUI should be able to function at the same time without affecting each other. A brand-new way of integrating VUI and GUI has been developed. After the voice service has been activated, the voice service panel is displayed in the status bar area of the UI. In this way, voice conversations, feedback, and processing course can be displayed properly without affecting information presentation of the current app. The voice panel no longer appears in the status bar area after voice interaction completes and system notification will be no longer blocked.
Innovations Meanwhile, ZTE searched for a more intuitive way to activate voice service. In the first version, we enabled voice service to be activated just by saying particular words, like “Hello ZTE”. Later, we proposed a customized solution: users can set their own code to wake up the voice service, which is highly praised upon release.
Smooth Interaction
Convenient voice activation is just the first step. It is also important to make voice interaction smooth. Usually you have to open a second app when you are already using one. If you want to play music while chatting with a friend on WhatsApp, you need to exit WhatsApp and go to the music app, play an album and then return to WhatsApp. This process creates an annoying interruption. Smartphone voice services on the market only simplify the steps of “play the music” part in this process. You need to switch from
We used a new method for voice experience design. We determined the main goals of users and provided direct methods for achieving their goals. In this way, we created excellent user experience. For example, you can tap the power button on your phone and then bring it to your ear to start a call. The phone will ask who you want to call and you can just say the name of someone in your contact list. To listen to music, you just need to activate the voice service and say the name of a song. The voice service will search for the song from the local database and then from an online database.
Craftsmanship
In the spirit of craftsmanship, ZTE has repeatedly attempted to perfect every detail, such as the position of the microphone, the voice recognition rate, anti-noise performance, length of feedback tones, timeout waiting intervals, and prompts of voice commands. ZTE is determined to tap the potential of voice technology and create an unprecedented experience for mobile phone users.
The area for experiencing voice service on STAR 2 at CES 2015
25
SMART GADGETS
Make Smartphone Your Health Assistant Apps Instead of going to the gym, you can work out at anytime and anywhere. With the right apps, you can make plans, record progress and share results on your smartphone.
● Fitness Buddy
Fitness Buddy is a very professional fitness app that provides over 1,700 exercises, each with detailed pictures, descriptions and animations. Choose the area of the body you want to work out simply by tapping the red label. Fitness Buddy has comprehensive exercises using equipment such as barbell, dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and stability balls. It also has over 75 workout routines and body metrics tracking, making it the best workout buddy.
● Runtastic PushUps
The Runtastic Push-Ups app is your personal push-up trainer, helping you reach your exercise and strength training goals with efficient, easy-to-follow plans. It has been specially designed using scientific sports training plans that gradually improve your strength and stamina with the ultimate goal of getting to 100 push-ups in a row. The app helps count the total number of completed push-ups via the proximity sensor or by touching the screen with your nose.
Accessories With the help of smartphones, data from health-monitoring devices such as scales, blood pressure monitor, and glucometers can be collected, analyzed and sent to the medical treatment platform for comparison with data gained from big data. In this way, slight changes in your body can be detected and any problem can be solved as early as possible.
● Runtastic Heart Rate
This app measures your heartbeat with accuracy. The work program is carried out using a smartphone camera and flash. The camera will capture the fluctuations of blood in your finger. If you have symptoms like heart palpitations, you can use your smartphone to check your heart rate anywhere. You can see your HRM results in a graph and also share your HRM results via your social networks.
26
● iHealth Wireless Smart Gluco-Monitoring System
This device connects via Bluetooth to a companion app on an iOS or Android smartphone or tablet, allowing streamlined monitoring, tracking, and sharing of blood glucose levels. The kit comes with a lancet and 50 test strips that require only 0.7 mL of blood for a speedy 5 second test. This is par with the fastest glucose meters currently on the market. The app includes instructions on how to use the glucometer, and as soon as you take a glucose reading it is displayed on the device screen and automatically transferred to the app, which keeps a record of all readings.
SMART GADGETS
Wearable Devices Misfit Shine Fitness Plus Sleep Monitor This activity monitor is made from aerospace-grade aluminum. A single groove running along the circumference of Shine and acts as the attachment point for the unit’s four accessories: a wristband, necklace, magnetic clip and watch band. There are specific modes for sleeping, cycling, tennis, basketball, soccer and swimming. You can slightly touch the Misfit surface to change the mode. It also works as a pedometer. Misfit Shine can show the current time and the progress of physical activity with built-in LEDs.
FITGuard Mouthguard With the development of health apps and the popularity of wearable devices, it is possible to use smartphones to monitor your health, provide medical treatment, and even give a remote diagnosis. In the era of smart healthcare, use your smartphone to improve your health outcomes.
People sometimes get injured while exercising but unlike a structural injury that involves a ligament tear or sprained shoulder, brain injuries are not always immediately detectable. The FitGuard headinjuries awareness mouthguard measures the force of an impact and visually displays it. The device constantly samples rates of acceleration. If the peak of that acceleration breaches a threshold, the LEDs change colors. If the LED lights are blue, it is safe and if it is red, it indicates a severe concussion.
SandPiper Lung Monitor
● Toshiba Wearable Sensor: Silmee Bar type
This wearable biological sensor measures an electrocardiogram, in addition to pulse waves, body motions and skin temperature simultaneously. In addition, the biosensor can monitor your breathing, brain waves, and eye movement during sleep. It helps trace your sleep information in an all-round way and analyze your sleep quality. It is attached to the chest alongside a gel pad and is highly waterproof, suitable for wear throughout the day.
● iHealth Wireless Body Analysis Scale
This scale can measure, track and analyze nine different characteristics of your body, including weight, body fat, lean mass, muscle mass, bone mass, body water, daily calorie intake, and visceral fat. With the iHealth MyVitals app, you can view all the data in your smartphone in a graphic way. You can clearly see where you can pump up your workouts or take more care with your diet, or how to just stay on track with your overall health. The scale is smart enough for the whole family and can support up to 20 different users.
SandPiper can be plugged into the headphone jack on a smartphone. You blows into one end of the unit and a sensor inside generates electricity proportional to the velocity of air passing through it and measures the volume of air moving through the tube. The information is relayed to a companion app. SandPiper gauges air flow parameters such as lung capacity, speed of exhaling and inhaling, how much air can be exhaled in one second, and limitations in airflow. The app then provides the measured quantities on your smartphone.
27
MOBILE MASTERY
If a smartphone camera is not held rock-steady, every little wiggle, bump, jerk, sway, step or movement appears ten times worse on the computer or TV screen afterwards. This is why a stabilizer is necessary.
Cell Phone Camera Stabilizer:
A New Way to Shoot
Almost everyone has experienced cell phone shooting problems: your hands being not long enough to find the right angle for selfies, or your hands being not steady enough to get a clear picture when shooting at night. A variety of stands and stabilizers have emerged to cope with these problems.
Cell phone photos or videos come out blurry when you shoot pictures in low light or record videos of moving objects in strong light. Cell phone manufacturers are trying to solve these problems. Apple even adds a new gyroscope to compensate for hand shakiness, but the feedback has not been great and even side effects such as wobbly videos have appeared. Nowadays, cell phones are capable of producing
28
pictures as good as those shot on a digital video recorder or SLR camera, but unsteady hands during shooting is the biggest adverse factor. However, professional holders and stabilizers have come to mobile phones. They can adjust the cameras horizontal balance automatically through built-in gyroscope and help you shoot high-quality clear images even when you are running, and they are not expensive.
MOBILE MASTERY
An Entry-Level Model Steadicam Smoothee Handheld Stabilizer A stabilizer ensures that the sea horizon is straight in a beach photo.
When do You Need a Stabilizer? Static Shot When we look at videos of seas, roads, or the horizon taken with a cell phone that does not have a stabilizer, we find that the images often incline slightly, even if the shot was taken statically. The grids of cameras only appear when photos are taken, and we can only rely on visual inspection to determine whether the screen is horizontal. In addition, we cannot edit videos as easily as photos to adjust the horizon afterwards. With a stabilizer, you can focus on finding the best view rather than worry about whether the screen is horizontal.
Taking Selfies The viewing angle of a selfie is determined by the length of the arm. Taking a selfie from close up usually makes the head bigger in the picture. To solve this problem, extension poles emerged. However, extension poles are also handheld and are not as stable as a tripod. Therefore, photos still come out blurry. Stabilizers avoid this problem completely. Furthermore, some stabilizers even have remote selfie control accessory for controlling the phone shutter.
Steadicam Smoothee is small and agile enough to take on vacations or to a sporting event. A balanced weight system holds the phone steady on a frictionless ball joint. The Smoothee lets you “fly” wherever the scene takes you. Its quick-release mount lets you instantly swap camera connections between your Smoothee and any tripod. The center of gravity can be adjusted through a red button. The ergonomic hand-grip folds up securely when not in use.
Follow Shot Video recording on a cell phone is not filmmaking. When using a cell phone, people don’t follow a script, record several sections from different perspectives, and then edit and combine the recorded videos. Videos are recorded on cell phones in only one take, so camera shake is almost unavoidable. With a stabilizer, you can get stable and clear images. You no longer have to worry whether the shoulder shakes or other body movements may affect the shooting quality. All you need to do is to keep an appropriate height to the people you are shooting and avoid tripping.
An Advanced Model Dict-Creative SwiftCam M3L Stabilizer The SwiftCam M3L gimbal is more intelligent than the Smoothee. With SwiftCam M3L comes tri-axis auto-stabilization and support for a tripod or extension pole. It uses brushless motors to automatically stabilize pan, tilt, and roll axes and can accommodate larger smartphone models. SwiftCam has an adjustable clip that supports smartphones up to 7.2 cm wide and is compatible with both 1 mm and 4 mm sponges. It supports both iOS and Android.
Extreme Sports Shot Extreme sports enthusiasts may have fixed GoPro cameras or cell phones on their helmets, handlebars, or sliding plates. Videos taken from these special perspectives can be quite impressive but have a wobbly “jello effect.” With a stabilizer, you can capture exciting moments with better results.
The Most Reliable Model LanParte HHG-01 Handheld Gimbal LanParte, a reputable stabilizer manufacturer, has launched a tri-axis handheld gimbal HHG-01. The gimbal is made from ABS engineered plastic and aluminum alloy. Powered by a high-quality brushless motor, it is the most stable system on the market. Compared with SwiftCam M3L, the HHG-01 has a “pistol magazine” style battery grip, allowing easy switching between batteries. The clamp is covered by soft EVA material that protects the smartphone from scratching. It works with various smartphones and optionally GoPro, and is thus more practical and economical than SwiftCam M3L.
29
MOBILE APP
Less is More:
Irresistible Pixel Games Today’s mobile games rival PC games in terms of scene design and realistic rendering. However, such games with all their complexity, realism and details can leave you feeling exhausted. Are you tired of 3D games? Try these amusing and simple retro pixel-art games.
Highly Recommended: Punch Quest Parkour games are the biggest smash-hit games to date. Punch Quest stands out with the retrostyle pixel effects and arcade game factor. The game is very easy to play. Simply tap both sides of the screen with your left and right thumbs to attack and use combination punches. Tap the left side twice for a powerful uppercut. Tap the right side to make normal punches. Tap both 30
sides simultaneously to defend. You can change the frequency of normal punching to control the speed of the character’s movement. A meter at the bottom of the screen increases with each successful punch, and each level activates one of your chosen powers. Punch Quest also has abundant “props.” You can use in-game currency to buy power-ups and new abilities. To defeat the enemies in the
game, you have to use different sets of combos. Each level has different branches that enable you to choose your own path and introduce some variation in the game. More than just a Parkour game, Punch Quest includes quests, meaning that you have to defeat a “Master Foe” at the end of each level. The sound effects for heavy punching are entertaining and make you feel like you are playing an arcade game.
MOBILE APP
Nyan Cat: Lost in Space
This cute pixel game captures every girl’s heart. A cat named Nyan flies through space and leaves a rainbow tail behind it. The cat needs to collect as many stars as possible while guarding against evil enemies. You can control the speed and direction of Nyan with your fingers and compete with friends on the quantity of stars you collect. Nyan can drink milk, eat ice-cream, collect coins, buy gorgeous boosts, jump onto platforms made of cake, and discover infinite space.
Pixel Dungeon
Terraria
Terraria is an open-ended sandbox 2D game that revolves around exploration, building, and action. It takes you into vast, vibrant and various worlds—from the floating islands to the deepest levels of the underworld, and you are free to create amazing weapons to defeat all sorts of magical creatures or tribes. You can dig to the ends of the earth or exploit timber, stone and mineral resources to build a castle and protect your followers.
Infectonator
The genre of zombies vs. humans is quite popular. However, some people are tired of siding with humans and killing zombies. They want to try being in the zombie’s team and turning people into zombies instead. Infectonator lets you chase down people and turn them into zombies. You can also earn coins to buy new types of zombies and add-ons.
Pocket Planes
Pocket Planes is a business simulation game where you are the CEO of an airline. You need to think about how to maximize transport capacity and profits and minimize costs and build your own international airline empire. You have to study various indexes to determine when to buy and upgrade airports, to raise the ceiling on the number of planes in service, to purchase new parts, and to re-commission already decommissioned planes.
Pixel Dungeon is a rogue-like game with pixel-art graphics and a simple interface. There are three classes: warrior, mage and rogue, each of which has a different set of attributes, abilities and responsibilities. After choosing a class, you enter the pixel dungeon, which is a randomly generated maze that varies with each player. You collect useful items, weapons and props to fight unexpected monsters and traps in order to find the Amulet of Yendor and finally survive.
Ready Steady Bang
Ready Steady Bang is a wild-west quick-fire dueling game. It is a dead-simple test of speed and accuracy, leaving out the complicated aiming process and pitting you in a series of old-time shootouts with AI-controlled enemies or against a friend. A squeaky-voiced announcer begins the countdown: “ready...steady...bang!” at which point you tap the screen before your opponent. The loser keels over in one of 31 funny animations. 31
FASHION
Notes 1. Choose the right shoes Cold weather hardens your shoes that can make running uncomfortable, so choose the right shoes before you run. 2. Choose the right clothes Clothing should be windproof and waterproof on the front to maintain body temperature and use breathable fabrics on the back to ensure dryness.
Equipped for
Winter Jogging Runners will never stay at home like a winter cat. In their eyes, cold weather is no obstacle to outdoor exercise. Instead, jogging in the winter is of great help to defend against the cold and improve health.
Equipped with Right Shoes Effective at Cushioning and Acceleration Adidas Supernova Glide 6
Cushioning is a top priority in running shoe design. The Adidas Supernova Glide 6 uses an all-new Boost midsole that is bouncy without being too soft. That makes for light, fast running. The textile upper with seamless mesh in forefoot ensures maximum comfort and flexibility. Compared to past Supernova Glides, there is more rubber coverage in the forefoot, which increases grip and durability.
32
Running Shoe Milestone ASICS GEL-Kayano 21
ASICS GEL Kayano is one of the most popular running shoes. It has linked components that enhance the foot’s natural gait from heel strike to toe-off. The 21st edition of the iconic Kayano running shoe features the latest FluidRide technology that reduces weight and increases bounce. The shoes also feature a ComforDry X-40 sockliner, which has higher rebound properties, excellent moisture management, high-level breathability, and anticrobial properties.
FASHION
Equipped with Smart Accessories
Equipped with Running Apps Google Fit
Google has finally launched its own health app. Through the builtin sensors in a mobile phone, Google Fit can record physical fitness activities against the user’s fitness goals and provide a comprehensive view of their fitness. Google Fit is compatible with all Android Wear devices, and multiple sports brands and apps have already adopted this platform so that users can view their health data more easily.
Jawbone Up3 Wristband
The brand new Jawbone Up3 is a health-tracking wristband and all-day activity tracker. It includes a new tri-axis accelerometer, bioimpedance sensor, skin sensors and ambient temperature sensor. The Up3 automatically detects new activities; for example, it can track your sleep and give you a detailed look at your REM patterns.
Sensoria Fitness Smart Socks
Sensoria Fitness socks have 100% proprietary textile sensors. The socks are paired with an electronic anklet that magnetically snaps on the cuff of one of the socks and can transfer data via Bluetooth to a supporting app on a mobile phone. These smart socks have superior accuracy in step counting, speed, calories, altitude and distance tracking, but goes well beyond that to track cadence, foot landing technique and weight distribution during walking or running.
RunKeeper
A perennial favorite with runners, RunKeeper has more than 30 million users worldwide. For a free app, it’s very feature-rich and uses your phone’s GPS to track your running, cycling, hiking and other activities. The app records your pace, distance, total exercise time, calories burnt and other useful metrics, while also allowing you to take and tag pictures on the go. When you have a time you’re particularly proud of you can share that through Facebook.
Equipped for Bad Weather
ARCHOS Music Beany Bluetooth Headset
The ARCHOS Music Beany is a Bluetooth headset integrated into a beanie hat that lets you enjoy your music and answer phone calls on the run. Under the leather logo hides LED lights, a volume key, and a play/pause key. Pair it easily with your smartphone via Bluetooth and you can control the volume and switch songs from the side of your beanie. There is also no need to take your phone out of your pocket: just tap the side of the beanie to answer using the embedded microphone.
RZ Mask
RZ Mask is made of neoprene material. It has dual one-way valves for moisture control and a replaceable N99 active carbon filter, which filters 99.9% of particles 0.1 µm or above (as defined by the lab report from Nelson Laboratories US). The mask is extremely effective in dust and cold air protection.
Digitsole Smart Insoles
Runners suffering from cold feet in the winter now have Digitsole’s interactive insole, which is designed to heat the feet and can be controlled via a smartphone. Set the temperature of each insole separately to get the perfect temperature. The insoles can be heated for seven hours and if the temperature drops below the preset, a built-in thermostat adjusts the insoles to the pre-determined temperature. The Digitsole can also track the distance walked as well as the altitude and calories burnt.
Netatmo Personal Weather Station
The Netatmo Weather Station tracks indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity. It delivers all the data via an app that offers a snapshot of indoor and outdoor conditions as well as extended weather forecast. Before running, you can check the air quality and weather and prepare accordingly.
33
ZTE WORLD
The launch ceremony in Malaysia
STAR 1 has Arrived A Tour of STAR 1 Smartphone in Asia Pacific ● By Sun Yuping and Zhang Qian
STAR 1, ZTE’s hero smartphone, comes equipped with excellent user-experience features such as 4 cm macro shooting, clarity+ imaging technology and a dual-colour temperature flash, which are great for photography. STAR 1 also has nice design with a narrow bezel. The phone was first launched in Malaysia, followed by Thailand, Myanmar and Russia in the following months in Asia Pacific. Since entering the mobile phone market in 1998, ZTE has been slowly and steadily making waves in Asia Pacific. This evolution will see ZTE answer ever-changing customer demands.
Malaysia On October 23, 2014, ZTE and Ingens jointly launched STAR 1. Fifty reporters from mainstream media were invited to the conference. A contractsigning event was held between Ingens and seven master dealers. This marked the entrance of STAR 1 into the Malaysian market.
ZTE launched STAR 1 as well as Blade Vec Pro, Blade V5, Blade L2 and Blade G Lux in Malaysia in October 2014.
It was the first time STAR 1 had been launched outside China. The launch is in line with ZTE’s goal of providing all Malaysians with quality, affordable smartphones. Jacky Zhang, CEO of ZTE Mobile Devices, Asia Pacific and CIS, said “Our goal is to cement ZTE as an innovative, leading smartphone provider in Malaysia. We intend to increase year-on-year sales by 3% by continually adopting and incorporating new technologies and releasing new state-of-the-art devices that meet consumer demands on performance, before they even realize they want it.” After the conference, various promotional activities with a starlight theme got underway. Reports about STAR 1 have been published in well-known local magazines.
34
ZTE WORLD
Russia On December 11, ZTE unveiled STAR 1 in the Moscow Planetarium to highlight the theme of “Starlight”. Representatives from Svyaznoy, MegaFon and RTK, and 70 reporters from mainstream media were invited to the launch. STAR 1 was unveiled with the famous line “поехали” (let’s go) uttered by the Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin, meaning that STAR 1 had entered the Russian market. In Russia, 3G services are popular, and 4G services are growing rapidly. The electronic market has great growth potential. As a new and promising electronic consumer brand in the Russian market, ZTE aims for a 3% share in Russia’s mobile phone market in 2015.
Thailand On November 25, 2014, ZTE launched ZTE STAR 1 in Bangkok. The launch attracted a lot of media attention. Thailand’s mobile operator DTAC and Thailand’s mobile handset retailer Jay Mart participated in the launch. A well-known photographer in Thailand took several pictures with STAR 1 and taught the audience how to take professional pictures with STAR 1. A local star was also invited as a special guest. STAR 1 became available in 260 Jay Mart stores on the day of the launch.
A TV wall for displaying ZTE mobile phones to visitors before the conference A professional photographer is explaining the components of his photo taken by ZTE STAR 1.
A famous IT blogger in Thailand is testing pro-camera function of ZTE STAR 1.
Myanmar
Zhang Lei (R),vice president of Mobile Devices, Asia Pacific and CIS, and Cai Huan (L), CEO of ZTE Mobile Devices, Russia and CIS
On November 8-9, 2014, ZTE and Myanmar company MIB held “Starlight over Mandalay” promotional activities in Mandalay, which is the second largest city in Myanmar and the former imperial capital. A stage was set up in front of Mobile Mother, a mobile sales and service center. Local singers and a performance group were invited to showcase multiple ZTE mobile phone models including ZTE STAR 1. After that, four ZTE STAR 1 road shows kicked off in Yangon, the largest city of Myanmar.
Russian reporters and bloggers are evaluating STAR 1 after the conference. 35
Great value 4G smartphone with gesture controls
Gesture Control Dual Camera 13MP + 5MP 5" HD Screen 4.4 KitKat Dolby Sound
ZTEDEVICES.CO.UK All rights reserved by ZTE Corporation. All other Corporate names and trademarks are the property of their respective companies. E&OE. Images are for illustrative purposes only. Copyright Š ZTE Corporation 2014.