ZTE Open Firefox OS smartphone to be sold worldwide through Ebay

Chinese handset giant, ZTE has announced the worldwide availability of its ZTE Open Firefox OS phone through Ebay which means it could be brought in India as well. Also, since the phone will be unlocked, it can be used on any mobile network in India also.

Though the phone is priced at $79.99 or Rs 5,000 for the USA market, you may have to pay hefty shipping charges if you are ordering the handset from India through Ebay.com which may well push the price of the device beyond $100. This will definitely water down the USP of the phone, i.e. its affordability tag.

Dai Wenhong, vice president of ZTE Corporation said, "It is great honor to launch the ZTE Open Firefox OS phone worldwide through eBay. ZTE is devoted to providing more options for customers globally and enabling them to live better lives via advanced technology. The ZTE Open offers customers a smartphone experience at an incredible price point, making it ideal for cost conscious consumers or those looking to upgrade to a smartphone for the first time."

The ZTE Open offers all the functions expected from a smartphone - calls, messaging, email, camera. Plus it comes with built-in social integration with Facebook and Twitter, location-based services like Nokia HERE maps, and Firefox Web browser and the Firefox Marketplace.

The ZTE Open is one of the first Firefox OS smartphones that is powered completely by Web technologies. "Firefox OS features a revolutionary new search capability that allows the device to adapt to the user's changing needs and is only built into Firefox OS. Swipe to the right from the home screen and enter a search term and the phone will customize itself to that search. For example, search for an artist and get results to buy songs, watch music videos, buy concert tickets and even listen to them instantly without having to download and install any apps," explained ZTE in a press release.

"Firefox OS also delivers the exceptional security, privacy, customization and user control that people have come to expect from the Firefox Web browser," ZTE further added.