Reinventing the Millennium.

Chapter 799 The inner ghost after the Apple press conference exerts its strength (5k)

Apple's press conference is enough to change a lot of things.

Fang Zhuo agreed with Schmidt's statement and crossed the river by feeling the apples.

After leaving Google, the two founders of Yike did not communicate too much on the way back. They needed to digest multiple information at their respective levels.

Fang Zhuo has been peeling off the details related to mobile phones until before going to bed, trying to look at Yike's first mobile phone from an overall perspective to increase the significance of the success rate.

Yike and Google carry out cross-patent licensing, Yike and Morningstar, MediaTek cooperate in chip design, Icecore is trying to break through the 65nm advanced process, and Icecore cooperates with Sony in the research and development and foundry of CMOS sensors in Shanghai...

Once the terminal's mobile phone is successful, all of these will be gradually linked together to rotate at the same frequency.

The most important thing is that I have considerable dominance in this chain. Even for the chip solution, Qualcomm is not the only one that is currently inclined. Texas Instruments and Samsung can both become excessive, and there is a lot of room for shifting.

Yike's first mobile phone is like an indispensable key gear, like a spark on a haystack, like a spoonful of hot oil after steaming sea bass...

Fang Zhuo's last thought before going to sleep played a role.

In the morning of the next day, Fang Zhuo, who carefully ate a whole steamed sea bass, arrived at the R&D center, and was going to discuss with Yike Mars the overthrow and restart after the connection with the front camera.

But just after he and Hsu had a brief chat about the camera idea, Google's Schmidt called in.

The nine o'clock meeting scheduled for the morning was therefore postponed.

Schmidt said a total of three things, it can be seen that he did not rest after the meeting last night.

First, Cisco will initiate a lawsuit against Apple today to prevent Apple from violating, intentionally copying and using Cisco's registered trademark iPhone.

Fang Zhuo was surprised by this.

He always thought that there was no problem with the trademark registered by Apple last year. He did not expect to have a small friction with Cisco and the trademark category, but this will certainly not be an obstacle.

The second is that Marvell bought the mobile phone chip department from Intel, and the two companies have basically completed the acquisition process, but some chip engineers are unwilling to work in the new company.

What Schmidt meant was that if Mr. Fang is interested and Yi Ke needs it, he can make a connection.

Fang Zhuo showed a strong willingness to welcome this, thinking that Google is indeed a good partner of Yike, so the engineers from Intel are exactly the talents Yike is looking for.

As for the third thing...

It has to be said that even if it is impossible for Schmidt, an Apple director, to intervene in Apple's daily operations, he still has channels to learn a lot of news that is difficult for the outside world to know.

"Someone from AT&T told me that they have adopted a method of revenue sharing for new network subscribers with Apple. The specific ratio is not clear, but this is undoubtedly a cooperation model worth discussing with T-Mobile."

"The most important thing is that the terminal price of the Apple mobile phone to the market through AT&T is likely to be 200 or 300 US dollars."

"Regardless of the bundled carrier tariffs, users can get an Apple phone for a fairly low price."

The prices at Apple's event were $4 for the 499G version and $8 for the 599G version.

If the price is 200/300 US dollars, this is a discount of 5% or more.

Moreover, the Apple mobile phone is the exclusive network of AT&T. For consumers, they can either buy it at the original price but still need to use the AT&T network, or get the phone directly from AT&T's big discount.

There is no doubt that more people choose the latter in both cases.

There was no mention of this at Apple's event, and no one would mention such a discount at the premiere.

If Yike is benchmarking at the level of 499/599 US dollars, it will be a huge mistake.

Although we don't know when AT&T will announce the price of the contract phone, but if Yike has negotiated cooperation with T-Mobile and even Verizon and then learns about this situation, I am afraid that it will face great changes.

Fang Zhuo really took a deep breath. He knew that the exclusive cooperation between Apple and AT&T was a contract phone, but he didn't expect to "combine" to such an extent.

The $200 threshold doesn't even cover the cost of the hardware!

The initial estimated cost of the Mars prototype two days ago was still $259!
Fang Zhuo's thoughts turned, and he was silent for about ten seconds before giving his own evaluation: "It's great, this will be a win-win situation, and it may even affect the value distribution of the telecom industry chain."

In the entire telecom industry chain, there is no doubt that operators are the most important right now. In the United States alone, the top two operators, AT&T and Verizon, have extremely strong positions. This is the feeling that Yike has come into contact with personally.

However, if mobile phone manufacturers in the smartphone era can achieve great success and attract a large number of users to join and switch networks, it will definitely shift the value center of gravity in the chain.

It's not that telecom operators are no longer important, but that mobile phone manufacturers have become more important and more dominant.

They are connected, and the things before and after are connected together.

The AT&T that Schmidt identified last night put pressure on Apple, and finally made Jobs compromise to make a 2G mobile phone. This is of course because AT&T itself is strong, but also because the way of cooperation between them is very important.

The iPhone needs the full support of carriers, and AT&T is betting on the appeal of touchscreen smartphones.

This has greatly lowered the threshold for American users to try the iPhone.

Schmidt had just received the news about the price of the contract machine, and it was precisely because of this that he made this call in conjunction with the previous two matters.

He heard the price and immediately realized that this was a huge threat.

However, Schmidt did not expect that the first reaction he heard from Mr. Fang was not panic or distress, but a compliment from an elevated overall perspective.

He was taken aback for a moment, and he quickly understood what this person meant, and he admired Mr. Fang's courage.

Schmidt calmed down and continued to tell the situation: "AT&T and Apple share the revenue of new online customers. Apple will give it low-priced mobile phones, and AT&T will continue to subsidize them. I don't know the price Apple will give AT&T yet."

If AT&T sells the 4G version for $200, the price from Apple will most likely be higher than that.

Because Yike is also making mobile phones, the cost is here. No matter how low Apple's cost is, it will not be much lower. The biggest possibility is that it is lower than the retail price and higher than the cost price.

AT&T is not a philanthropist. If it buys high and sells low, it will definitely design a phone bill package that can earn money back in the medium and long term.

Fang Zhuo realized one thing and said seriously: "This poses a big challenge to the cooperation between Android phones and operators."

He said "Android mobile phone", not "Yike mobile phone", he was emphasizing that this is not the business of the Yike family.

AT&T is willing to share and is willing to bet, but T-Mobile may not be willing, let alone Verizon, which has been struggling with negotiations.

And if there is no operator willing to follow up in this way, the mobile phone made by Yike can only choose the next-level parts, cut costs, lower the price, and improve the competitiveness of the price level.

——But in this case, the product power will come down.

The Echo phone isn't competing with the $499 iPhone, it's competing with the $200 iPhone.

No matter how differentiated, price will always be the most sensitive factor for user groups.

Fang Zhuo had a deep understanding of this. It was like buying an airplane with the money given by Qingzi. If the budget for the airplane exceeded what Qingzi gave, he probably wouldn't buy it.

First there is Apple at $200, and then Eke may be at $300/400. The psychological expectations are completely different. This is the same reason.

However, from an operator's perspective...

T-Mobile: What?Did I hear you right?It would be great if I can purchase your mobile phone, but you want me to give users a large subsidy?Do I still need to take a share from my new network user income?Take out the money I put in my pocket?Do you think you are Nokia?

Nokia didn't do that either!
This is also the reason why Schmidt called in such a hurry. The operator is not a soft persimmon.

He wished he could stand in front of Mr. Fang and let him see his dignity: "Yike needs to come up with a more impressive mobile phone. This is not empty talk. Even so, it will be difficult for Yike to convince T-Mobile."

Schmidt is already euphemistically expressing that it is not "difficult", but his judgment is "impossible". Apple and AT&T/Cingular have been in contact since 05, and such a close relationship is beyond the reach of Ike.

"Google will communicate more with T-Mobile, we have to stand together."

"Mr. Fang, only through unity can we achieve success."

Today's important message makes "better phones" less than polite and "more support" a must.

Fang Zhuo said calmly: "Schmidt, thank you for the information you provided, and thank you for the support from Google. I have confidence in Yike mobile phones and the future of Android mobile phones."

Without Schmidt, the director of Apple, it is really difficult to obtain such first-hand inside information, and without the support of Google, it is even more difficult to convince operators.

"Communicate at any time and keep cooperating. Yi Ke will bring it up as soon as possible." Schmidt is about to end the call. He still has a lot to do today.

"Yes, what Lao Shi said is right, we need to be united, oh yes, there is one more thing, since you called, I also think we need to talk." Fang Zhuo said naturally, "Yike and Google are in the Android We need to talk about the sharing ratio on the Market, 5% is too little.”

Schmidt wanted to punch himself five seconds ago.

He emphasized: "It's a 'need', Mr. Fang, do you understand?"

Fang Zhuo understood very well: "Yes, it is necessary, we all need unity."

"You'd better be able to implement the 'excellent idea' you said last night!" Schmidt didn't agree or refuse, and hung up the phone hastily.

Fang Zhuo silently digested the important news from Lao Shi. The 200/300 iPhone must be an important basis for the sales of Apple's first mobile phone.

When he saw the $8 price of the Apple 599G version yesterday, he was also a little surprised, and felt that Apple was really confident.

As a comparison, Nokia's N95, which will be launched this year, is likely to cost $799 in the United States.

Now it seems that a sufficient sales volume is more important to Apple.

Xu Keden knocked lightly on the office door, signaling that the morning meeting had been postponed for a long time.

"You guys talk first, and I'll take care of a little more." Fang Zhuo chose to postpone again.

Now that Schmidt, the insider, has exerted his strength, he can't lose to him.

Fang Zhuo collected his thoughts, and then called Stringer, the head of Sony.

We chatted about the weather, about Sony's improvement, and by the way, about the fund that made a profit from short selling.

Stringer was about to ask Mr. Fang to explain in detail when he heard the help he wanted to seek.

"Sir, you know that Yi Ke is making mobile phones, but it's been a while since I discovered that mobile phones are really difficult to make, unexpectedly difficult."

"However, Yike has already invested a lot before and after. You know, like the patent license I got from you, we have a stake in the Android company together. These are all money."

"It seems that it is really good that you quit Android, and the development of the smartphone system is too difficult."

Listening to Mr. Fang's complaints, Stringer said a few words of comfort, "Qiao Shi, Android's idea is very good, but it is very difficult to realize it."

"Last week, I saw the company's preliminary prototype, and I was very disappointed. It is not competitive!"

"Just now I was sitting in the office using Sony Ericsson's mobile phone, and I suddenly felt that Yike could learn from Sony about the shooting technology on the mobile phone. No matter what, Yike's mobile phone can have a good feature."

Fang Zhuo said sincerely: "I wonder if Jazz and I can carry out business cooperation in this area?"

Stringer understood Mr. Fang's intentions. Since it was a business cooperation, he must be rich.

He readily agreed: "Mr. Fang, let the following departments discuss such matters directly. We are partners who can create a common future."

The cooperation between Sony and Bingxin is still rushing to work in Shanghai. In addition, Stringer is not proficient in consumer electronics, so professional matters are left to professional people.

Fang Zhuo babbled for a while, got a call from Ichiro Takagi, the head of Sony's mobile phone department, and made an appointment with the old jazz to meet again in New York, and then he could talk about the value-added sales of his personal assets.

He ended the call and immediately called Takagi Ichiro to talk about the business cooperation between the two parties.

Then, Fang Zhuo was taken aback.

Ichiro Takagi, the head of the mobile phone department, instead sought help from Sony director Fang Zhuofang, saying that his department had not obtained the technology from Sony's camera department, and hoped that Fang could help coordinate.

Fang Zhuo confirmed it.

Is it that the camera department of "Sony" is unwilling to hand over the technology to the mobile phone department of "Sony"?

"That's it, that's it, Mr. Fang, that's it!" Hearing Mr. Fang's repeated confirmation, Takagi Ichiro couldn't help becoming emotional. All the reports he made in Tokyo fell to nothing, and his face-to-face appeals were never dealt with. "Our Mobile phones can obviously be better!"

Yes, our Yike mobile phone can obviously be better!

"Okay, I will talk to Stringer about this matter in the next two days, Takagi, don't worry, I will uphold justice, this is too shameful." Fang Zhuo directly promised that the communication channel between him and Stringer Very smooth.

Directors don't make decisions for their subordinates, it's better to go home and sell sweet potatoes!

Foreign directors are also directors!
The inner ghost is also the inner ghost!
Fang Zhuo hung up the phone in Takagi Ichiro's thankful voice.

He squeezed the phone and confirmed the information in his mind again. Sony's camera department was afraid that the mobile phone department would keep up with the camera's camera experience, and was unwilling to share technology internally...

So Sony!Really Sony!
This can't be blamed on myself, the foreign director, getting angry.

Fang Zhuo shook his head, took his mobile phone to attend the long-awaited meeting next door, and planned to contact Stringer again in two days.

When he walked into the conference room, he saw the table full of disassembled mobile phone parts, and then heard the loud communication that continued.

It seems that there has been a spontaneous and substantial discussion in the conference room on today's topic of "Front Camera".

"Can it be done?" Fang Zhuo asked Xu Keden and Judy directly after sitting down. One of them came from China, and the other was from the United States. Sometimes they also represented two ideas and factional opinions in the department.

The two looked at each other and said in unison: "Yes!"

"Very well, let's do it." Fang Zhuo said swiftly, "Confirm the pixels, study the algorithm, optimize the system, and immediately start recruiting the best electronic engineers at any cost today."

"We're going to make a phone with the best front-facing camera in the world!" he declared.

There was a loud promise in the conference room.

What is the best concept in the world?
Even if it's just a subdivision!
This groundbreaking work excites designers and engineers in particular!
Xu Keden's concluding report: "We need to study the front camera without reducing the size of the 3.7-inch screen."

Fang Zhuo nodded. The bottom line in his heart is 3.5 inches, but 3.7 inches is of course the most ideal.

Meetings quickly passed a revamped design focused on the front-facing camera.

Fang Zhuo then listened to the supply chain report.

This part is relatively boring and complicated, but it is related to cost and should not be underestimated.

The main reporter was Hunter, the deputy director of the United States. He reported item by item, and soon mentioned a detailed part of the differentiated competition.

"We are looking for suppliers of glass cover plates all over the world. Now, one in Germany and the United States is willing to try, and Huaxia, uh, there are three, but I think the technology in Huaxia is not mature enough." Hunter mentioned Huaxia He hesitated at the time, but still gave a professional judgment, "Manufacturers in Germany and the United States have talked about many possible technical routes, but there are very few in China."

He also said: "Moreover, the scale of Chinese manufacturers is very small. At present, it seems that the Schott glass factory in Germany, which has 130 years of experience in the glass field, is the most promising. It mentioned an aluminosilicate glass route. Very promising."

Just as Fang Zhuo was about to nod, he saw Fan Yuanzhi, who was a little further away, looked a little hesitant. This is a supply chain employee from China, and he is also the son of "Bronze Pea" Fan Xiong.

He called his name: "Xiao Fan, you are familiar with the country, please tell me."

After hearing this, Fan Yuanzhi gave a different opinion: "Lens Technology, one of the three domestic manufacturers, was established last year, but the founder is also very experienced in this field. to aluminosilicate glass, but when it comes to aluminosilicate glass, I think you can give it a try.”

Fang Zhuo pondered for a while, then suddenly thought of the $200 iPhone, and said, "Then let Xiao Te and Lan Si both try."

There can be more than one supplier. If Lens can meet the requirements or has the potential to cultivate, it can help Yike Mobile to reduce costs in the future, and it can save a little bit.

Every optimization and every bit of cost reduction now will improve product competitiveness in the future.

(End of this chapter)