Training details / ZTE Speed confirmed

[NoahAndrews]

There's a company at Worlds called Intelitek. Apparently they're the ones who are going to make the new curriculum. They have a place on their website where you can sign up for details. http://www.intelitek.com/first-tech-challenge/ They also have a brochure that outlines the upcoming curriculum, which confirms the ZTE Speed as the official device. That makes me glad that we'll be allowed to use our own devices if we wish.

Finally, there's a different brochure that they're distributing at Worlds, which lists availability dates. The hardware/getting started training will be available June 5, while the app inventor and java training won't be available until September 1.

I'm not actually at Worlds; I got a picture of the brochure they're distributing from a friend who is.

[CraigRochester]

Hi Noah,

Thanks for posting this information. I've been looking for the Worlds announcement and this is the first thing I've found.

Much appreciated!

[NoahAndrews]

You're totally welcome, I'm also surprised that I haven't seen this anywhere else.

[Tom Eng]

Hi Folks,

Yes, the ZTE will be the phone included with the kit of parts. The contract was signed this past week. The model phone is the ZTE Speed.

Tom

[jbernhardt]

Is it possible to order the kit of parts without the ZTE Speed?
What is the URL for the new store?
When does it open?

[AlanG]

Hi Folks,

Yes, the ZTE will be the phone included with the kit of parts. The contract was signed this past week. The model phone is the ZTE Speed.

Tom

Tom,

Since we will be buying these phones from FIRST's designated vendor, not from a wireless carrier, please answer these questions about the software provided on these phones, or released to us as APIs for development purposes:
What Android release will those phones contain?
To what Android API level must we compile the code which we will develop?

Thanks!

[NoahAndrews]

My biggest question about the ZTE Speeds we'll be using is whether they will come with ZTE's skin. Reviews say the phone is slow, and I expect that skin has something to do with that considering that the new Moto G LTE has the same processor and amount of RAM and gets much more favorable reviews.

[FTC0417]

FWIW: ZTE Speeds are currently on sale at Best Buy online for $40.

[ctaranto]

I liked how Tom phrased this: "...the ZTE will be the phone included..."

I assume this is the device that goes on board the robot. Any news on the tablet (brand/model) for the driver side?

[NoahAndrews]

The link I originally posted indicated that both devices were ZTE Speeds.