Reborn Millennial Gamer

In San Francisco on the West Eighth Ward, it's February 2th.

In Yanjing, East Eighth District, it was already February 2th.

The evening wind blew into the study, Lu Fei talked on the phone with Gao Yuanyuan and Zeng Li, and talked on the phone for a while, it was Valentine's Day.

Then, switch back to working mode.

Guo Xing and Schmidt are already in Canada at this time.

"Mr. Lu, regarding 'advanced packaging', Dr. Liang, Professor Hu and their team have already studied TSMC's CoWoS solution."

Guo Xing reported in detail.

TSMC calls the die-loaded wafer a silicon interposer.

In the past, the connection between dies relied on traditional wire bonding, but instead of using micro-bumps, rewiring and other technologies on the silicon interposer, the interconnection density and data transmission bandwidth can be greatly improved.

"Why didn't TSMC implement the plan?"

Lu Fei stirred the coffee with a spoon.

"One is that Jiang Shangyi, who proposed this plan, has retired and left the government, so he put it on hold. Second, although "advanced packaging" has increased the added value of the packaging and testing process in theory, compared with traditional packaging, the cost gap is huge. Ridiculously large."

"How much does the CoWoS solution cost?"

"Nine cents per square millimeter."

"so tall?!"

"Isn't it? The general packaging and testing factories pay 1 to 2 cents per millimeter, and domestic ones only cost two or three cents."

"Why is it so high? Which link is the problem?"

"It's mainly in the silicon interposer, which is simply a silicon wafer. If wiring is needed to make connections in the middle, the cost will naturally go up."

"If we do a 'subtraction' for CoWoS, replace the silicon interposer with other materials, and sacrifice the connection density, can the cost be kept down?" Lu Fei rolled his eyes.

"In terms of technology, you have to ask Professor Hu and Dr. Liang."

Guo Xing asked curiously: "But Mr. Lu, is it necessary for us to engage in 'advanced packaging'? Packaging factories have thin profits and can't make much money. They rely entirely on small profits but quick turnover."

"It is necessary, very necessary!"

Lu Fei's tone was firm.

Just like smartphones, mobile devices have size limitations.

Most of the space should be reserved for the battery. The requirement for the chip is not only the performance, but also to make it as small as possible to leave enough space. It is also necessary to continuously break through the process and shrink the process.

But because of Moore's Law, process upgrades are becoming less and less cost-effective, and the 14nm to 28nm process is basically enough.

The chips below 14nm are really used, namely GPU, CPU, and Soc. Most of the chips such as automobiles, MCUs, Internet of Things, and consumer electronics use 28nm.

After all, mature technology is more cost-effective.

"Mr. Lu, I understand what you mean."

Guo Xing vaguely guessed the intention, "You want to use 'advanced packaging', such as stacking memory chips directly on the Soc, to reduce the chip area. Even without upgrading the process, you can still get performance and cost advantages."

"This is the best solution to reduce the chip area without upgrading the process, and it is also the best solution to reduce the chip area when our Duv lithography machine or even Euv lithography machine is stuck."

"Mr. Lu, if you think about it this way, even Dr. Liang and Professor Hu have no objection to the storage, and they definitely support advanced packaging."

"Advanced manufacturing process and advanced packaging must be grasped with both hands, and both hands must be strong." Lu Fei chatted for a while about Fuxin's next work arrangement, and then went to the acquisition of Nortel Networks.

"Regarding the acquisition, we have also made two failed backup plans, but I don't think it is necessary at all."

Guo Xing excitedly said that they have the first-mover advantage in this auction!
On the basis of the agreed 45 billion US dollars, an additional 2500 million US dollars can be added, because according to the "Fake Horse Auction" agreement, if the selling price exceeds 10 billion US dollars, Nortel Networks will give it to the consortium headed by Google and Logic some compensation.

The beauty said: Break up fee.

This compensation can be overdrawn in advance at the auction.

In other words, the limit quotation that the entire consortium can give is not US$45 billion, but US$45.25 billion.

"Whether it's $2500 million or $5000 million, if you don't win Nortel Networks, you're a failure!"

Lu Fei has only one meaning, only success!

at all costs!
"But if it exceeds the number set by the mobilization meeting..."

Guo Xing opened his mouth.

"This part will be covered by Three-Body and Black Stone."

Lu Fei slapped the table, "In short, I will just say a word, I don't want to listen to the purchase price, I only want Nortel Network!"

…………

The next day, the Nortel Network Auction was held as scheduled.

Not only the local media, but also the media all over the United States have been mobilized to surround the auction site.

What followed was a bloodbath.

A group of the world's top technology companies will definitely fight to the death.

In particular, the groups headed by Apple and Ericsson are sworn enemies with the groups headed by Logic, Google, and Microsoft.

"Recently, there have been more and more patent lawsuits against Android phone manufacturers, and Apple has already filed lawsuits against HTC and Samsung."

"Google and Logic hope to acquire the patents of Nortel Networks this time to strengthen the defense line of the Android Alliance. Analysts say that large companies such as Nokia and Apple will stop the consortium headed by Logic and Google from obtaining patents at any cost."

"Next, let us wait and see."

The host standing on the scene faced the camera and broadcast skillfully.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out in the crowd.

Representatives of Nokia, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Logic, etc. participating in the auction climbed up the stairs and walked into the venue in a big way.

The camera shifted and took this scene.

Immediately afterwards, the door closed tightly.

Security personnel and police stood in front of them, strictly guarding against death.

"Boss Lu, it's started."

After Guo Xing sent the text message, he looked around.

In addition to the known consortia led by Intel, Samsung, Blackberry, Nokia, Apple, and Ericsson, there are more than a dozen companies that specialize in patent trading, all of which are eyeing up.

The starting price is $10 billion set by Google and Logic.

The minimum quotation for each offer cannot be less than US$1000 million.

At the beginning, the temptation is the main one.

They were all calling for 1000 million dollars followed by 1000 million dollars. The consortium headed by Apple was silent for a while. The first quotation was directly called 11 billion dollars, which was the first shot in the official war.

Without waiting for Guo Xing and Schmidt to raise their placards, Nokia, Intel, Blackberry, and Samsung will offer up their prices one by one.

As the auction continued, bidding prices skyrocketed.

It has risen to $16 billion!

The auction lasted for 4 days, but on the first day alone, 8 companies could not bear it and left early.

Compared with Nortel Networks, Samsung cares more about Hynix, and can't bear to spend 30 billion US dollars. Similarly, Blackberry is not willing to withdraw from the competition, and the more it takes a step back, the more it gets angry.

So a strategy came to mind: find a partner.

Chacha and Cook hit it off immediately, and when they failed to instigate Microsoft, they turned around and offered an olive branch.

It not only wins over BlackBerry, but also wins over Samsung, constantly fueling the hatred between Lu Fei and Li Zairong.

However, the two did have a deep hatred, but under the conflict of interests between the Android camp and the Apple camp, Li Zairong had to put aside his personal grievances, open one and close one, and deliberately let Li Fuzhen inform Lu Fei——

Blackberry, with its thick eyebrows and big eyes, has taken refuge in Apple!

After Lu Fei received the news, he immediately contacted the CEO of BlackBerry, asking him to ask: Do you want to be an ally?
Do you still want to continue to stay in the Android Open Alliance?
People don't talk too much, and directly threatened that if BlackBerry dared to join the consortium headed by Apple, it would be regarded as automatically withdrawing from the Android Open Alliance, and the Android system would no longer be free and open source to BlackBerry.

After all, loyalty is not absolute, it is absolutely not loyal!
When he heard the consequences of withdrawing from the Android Open Alliance, the CEO of BlackBerry had to weigh the pros and cons considering that Apple's IOS system was completely closed and it was impossible to authorize BlackBerry.

In desperation, he rejected Cook sadly: "Tim, don't call me again, I'm afraid Huaxia Lu will misunderstand!"

"Fake! Fake! You damn bastard Lu!"

Cook was furious and made a rare swearing.

I thought that Jobs was already shameless and domineering enough, but I didn't expect Master Lu to be even more domineering than him!And shameless!
In an instant, the originally turbulent Android camp settled down, and no longer dared to flirt with Apple.

For a moment, Sony was considering exiting the consortium as well.

Even Microsoft gave up the idea of ​​being a second-five boy!
Yu Gong, Logic has too many entanglements with Microsoft, and recently there has been more cooperation with Xbox game console chips. "

In private, Bill Gates and Ballmer also made a lot of money in the long gold of the Three-Body Fund. Even Lu Fei made a phone call and invited Ballmer and Bill Gates to form a consortium to buy an NBA ball. Team play.

Three people, literally wearing a pair of pants.

Logic is Microsoft's half-brother.

The Chinese ancestral "combination of vertical and horizontal" was clearly played by Lu Fei. Cook, who was not familiar with Sun Tzu's Art of War, could only temporarily put aside the idea of ​​​​instigating rebellion and continue to confront logic and Google.

As the second most powerful existence in the auction, it fought back and forth with the first logic and Google, and the auction price also rose to 25 billion US dollars, which has exceeded the value of more than 6000 patents of Nortel Networks itself. If it exceeds the highest valuation of 22.5 billion U.S. dollars, if you continue to shoot, you will lose money.

Companies such as Nokia felt that it was not worthwhile and withdrew one after another.

Except for the two of them who were evenly matched, only one Intel was left to fight alone, but it persisted until the third day, when the price was raised to 30 billion dollars, it also stopped quoting and withdrew from the competition.

But just like Blackberry, I just let it go if I'm not reconciled!

The consortium led by Logic and Google, as well as the consortium led by Apple and Ericsson, coincidentally wooed Intel, fearing to join the camp of the sworn enemy and strengthen the strength of the opposite side.

"Lu, Intel rejected us, damn it, it went to Apple's camp, it's in big trouble!"

That night, Schmidt called urgently.

"Apple's conditions must not be small."

Lu Fei narrowed his eyes.

"It is said that Cook used future chip purchase orders to pull Intel to Apple's side!" Schmidt gritted his teeth.

Lu Fei smacked his lips: "He is sure that most of the chips in the Android camp cooperate with Qualcomm and Texas Instruments."

"What should we do now? Today's quotation has reached 40 billion US dollars, and there is still a shortfall of 5.25 million US dollars. It is about to reach the final bottom line we can accept." Schmidt is not without worry, "Intel joins Apple, and it can get 50 million dollars. Billion dollars."

"I still say the same thing, no matter 50 billion or 60 billion, in short, buy Nortel Networks at all costs!"

What Lu Fei said was categorical.

"But the current bidding price is twice that of Nortel Networks patents. It's not worth it. It's not worth it. I want to, if it exceeds $46 billion, let's just let it go..."

Schmidt wavered and hesitated.

"We must not give up!"

Lu Fei frowned tightly, "Did you forget that Apple has already sued Samsung, HTC and Motorola? Let Apple win the patent of Nortel Networks, then the next target will be my logic? Or your Google? Let me tell you, two None of them can run!"

He raised his voice, "Unless we give up Android, logic will never give up, Eric, does Google want to give up?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Schmidt dare not say give up, Google is entering the mobile and desktop operating systems, laying out the mobile Internet era, giving up the Android system is tantamount to self-destructing the Great Wall.

"So we must take down Nortel Networks, otherwise we will be completely passive." Lu Fei emphasized, "I'm not scaremongering. Maybe not only Apple will suppress Android, but Nokia and Ericsson will bully us."

"The problem is, we prepared a table of meals, and two tables of guests came, how do we eat this meal!"

Schmidt was talking about Intel, the uninvited guest.

"So what about Intel, and how much money is it willing to spend to help Apple? You said it, and they only spent $50 billion."

"Why don't we stay with you to the end?"

"Don't worry about the extra [-] million or [-] billion. As long as we win Nortel Networks, we will have the initiative of the future smart operating system. When Android becomes the system with the largest market share in the world, don't worry about it. I can't make that money back!"

Lu Fei said solemnly: "But if we can't win Nortel Networks, our initial investment in Android will be greatly reduced. This loss will be hundreds of millions or billions, right?"

"Lu, what you said is not unreasonable."

Schmidt pondered for a moment, and made up his mind to persuade Larry Page and Sergey Brin that Google will continue to increase the size.

"now it's right!"

The corner of Lu Fei's mouth twitched: "Nortel Networks, we are determined, let alone Apple, God can't keep it, I said it!"

It was the fourth and last day of the auction.

The strength of the Apple camp, which has been joined by Intel, has skyrocketed!
The patent auction of Nortel Networks has evolved into a confrontation between a consortium headed by Apple and Intel, and a consortium headed by Logic and Google. The attention and topics have soared.

The national media called it the auction of the century!
The two sides are fighting each other, and each price increase is 1 million US dollars.

Soon, the offer reached $45 billion.

The Android camp is relentless and determined to win. The price they offered is a jaw-dropping $46.25 billion.

"How much money did Huaxia Lu get from this subprime loan!"

In Apple's office, Cook cursed angrily.

"Yes, Logic has made big moves this year. Qimonda, Leica, and recently bought a 10% stake in Motorola."

Apple's chief financial officer was terrified.

According to the listing report, Apple currently holds a cash flow of US$543 billion, while Intel holds US$365 billion.

As for the Android camp, Google has a cash reserve of 367 billion dollars, Microsoft has 557 billion dollars, and logic and three-body are not listed. Although the financial and cash situation is unknown, they can at least come up with 300 billion dollars in cash. It really competes for financial resources——

The Apple camp is sure to lose!
"They overreported 2500 million dollars, either because they are approaching the limit of the psychological price, or because they feel that the premium is too much. I tend to have both. Let's report a 46.5 billion dollars first, and feel Huaxia Lu's end."

Cook thought and thought, remote micro-manipulation.

"But what if it exceeds $52 billion?"

The CFO said, "Should we follow?"

"Follow! Must follow!"

Cook's eyes showed determination, "I promised Steve that I will give this great gift after the liver transplant operation!"

"But with Intel's US$7 million, the most we can come up with is US$52 billion. If there is more, the board of directors will definitely not agree. The premium is too much."

The chief financial officer reminded that it was the subprime mortgage crisis.

"I will talk to Ericsson, Intel, and Sony again, and let them spend an extra one or two billion dollars."

Cook knows well that it is impossible to expect Apple to pay a penny more, and he can only count on his allies.

However, not one can be counted on.

Called one by one, but they all refused to pay more.

After all, the patents of Nortel Networks are just icing on the cake for Ericsson and them, not like logic, which is a timely help.

During this period, the price was no longer called for 1000 million or [-] million, nor was it quoted for tens of millions, but was increased layer by layer with a minimum of [-] million each time, and finally reached the limit of Apple——

47 million dollars!

But before Cook ordered to quote 47.1 billion U.S. dollars, the delegation bidding on the spot eagerly sent a piece of bad news——

Sony takes refuge in logic!
"What did you say!?"

Cook couldn't help being stunned, "Say it again!"

"Sony is preparing to join the Android Open Alliance and is preparing to develop Android smartphones with the support of Logic and Google!"

The representative was anxious and angry. Without Sony, it would be equivalent to a loss of 6 million US dollars. The entire consortium can only pay a maximum of 46 billion US dollars. Logic and Google’s quotations are simply unaffordable.

What's more, if the hearts of the people are scattered, it will be difficult to lead the team.

"Huaxia Lu! It must be Huaxia Lu!"

Cook couldn't help being startled, and heard the auctioneer's loud voice on the phone, "$47 billion, one time."

"$47 billion, twice."

"$47 billion, three times!"

"Boom boom boom!"

When the hammer strikes, everything is over! !
(ps: Apple won Nortel Networks with $45 billion)