ZTE have today announced the launch of the strangely named T82, an Android mobile handset.
It is designed to help mobile phone users make the move to their first smartphone. The phone has a custom skin called Easy UI, which was designed together with Australian carrier, Telstra.
The T82 is the first smartphone in a series of “Easy” devices from ZTE and Telstra. It sits alongside two feature phones designed for old people, the Telstra Easy Discovery 3 and the Telstra EasyCall 2, which are also being made available to carriers globally today.
This phone and UI seem to be for Australia only at first. Whether or not this skin will spread to the rest of the world remains to be seen.
The T82 phone has a budget phone spec.
- 4.3” capacitive touch screen
- 8 mega-pixel camera with LED Flash
- 4GB of internal memory
- MicroSD slot
As yet no mention of Europe availability, it’s just interesting to see what companies like ZTE have in their range of devices. Although T82 was mentioned a while back as a code name for the Grand X LTE model.
Here is the press release:
ZTE and Telstra launch Easy UI customisation for global operators
10 January 2013, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation (“ZTE”) (0763.Hong Kong /000063.Shenzhen), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices, today announced the global launch of the T82, an Android™ mobile handset designed to help mobile phone users make the transition to their first smartphone. The phone, and customised UI (User Interface), was designed together with Australian carrier, Telstra.
Released as EasyTouch® 4G in Australia, the T82 is the first smartphone in a series of Easy devices from ZTE and Telstra. It sits alongside two feature phones designed for the older demographic, the Telstra Easy Discovery® 3 and the Telstra EasyCall® 2, which are also being made available to carriers globally today.
Mr. He Shiyou, ZTE EVP and Head of the Terminal Division, said “This next stage in the development of Easy devices showcases how ZTE works closely with its carrier partners to help them deliver innovative and tailored products for their markets and key segments. Telstra designed the Easy UI user experience features while ZTE provided the hardware and development integration expertise.
“Telstra has done a great job in delivering user-friendly software, allowing us to deliver the T82 as the next Easy product in the range” said Mr He. “Through this partnership, we are now able to bring the T82 to other markets around the world and help drive the move to smartphones with existing feature phone users and older less tech savvy customers.”
ZTE T82 comes with a 4.3” capacitive touch screen, an 8 mega-pixel camera with LED Flash, MP3 player, Bluetooth connectivity, 4GB of internal memory expandable to 32GB with a Micro SD memory card, and an Android operating system as well as an enhanced lock screen and preloaded simple widgets: Phone, Internet, Media and Settings, which provide quick access information and simple shortcuts to daily tasks at your fingertips.
“It’s the easy-to-use interface that really sets this phone apart. Four big button Easy widgets for Phone, Internet, Media and Settings, show unread or un-actioned email, text and call notifications on the lock screen and home screens, while maintaining the flexible and powerful Android platform,” said David Powell, Telstra’s GM Device Experience, Apps and OS.
“Using these enhanced widgets has helped to maintain the native Android user experience as much as possible. All Easy widgets are removable, so as a customer gets more familiar with their new smartphone, they can choose to either remove or add Easy features as they need.”
The T82 was also designed with the needs of older customers in mind, informed by insights from Telstra workshops and feedback to previous Easy products.
“Telstra and ZTE have been working closely for more than six months designing and refining the EasyTouch® 4G and taking on board feedback from our customers who are looking at moving to a smartphone. Those customers told us they wanted a way to get to the core functions they need, quickly and with minimal fuss, to ensure they stay connected with their family and loved ones,” added Mr Powell.
The T82 is on display at the ZTE Stand in Hall 3, Booth 36218 at CES from January 8th 2013.