Chapter 803: Insider's Efforts After Apple's Press Conference (5k)

Apple's press conference is enough to change many things.

Fang Zhuo agrees with Schmidt's statement, crossing the river by feeling the way through Apple.

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 own levels.

Fang Zhuo was stripping away the details related to mobile phones until he went to bed, trying to look at the significance of Yike's first mobile phone from a holistic perspective to increase the success rate.

Yike and Google conduct cross-patent licensing, Yike and Morningstar, MediaTek cooperate in chip design, Bingxin is trying to break through the 65nm advanced process, Bingxin cooperates with Sony in Shanghai to develop and manufacture CMOS sensors...

Once the terminal mobile phone can be successful, all of these will be gradually linked together and rotate at the same frequency.

The most important thing is that he has a considerable dominance in this chain. Even for the chip solution, Qualcomm, which is currently preferred, is not the only one. Texas Instruments and Samsung can both become transitions, and there is a lot of room for transfer.

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 a sea bass...

Fang Zhuo's last thought before going to bed worked.

The next morning, Fang Zhuo, who had carefully eaten a whole steamed sea bass, arrived at the R&D center, ready to discuss the re-start after Yike Mars was associated with the front camera.

But just after he and Xu Kedeng briefly communicated the idea of ​​the camera, Google's Schmidt called in.

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

Schmidt said three things in total, which shows that he did not rest after the meeting last night.

First, Cisco will file a lawsuit against Apple today to prevent Apple from infringing, deliberately copying and using Cisco's registered trademark iPhone.

Fang Zhuo was surprised by this.

He always thought that Apple's trademark registered last year was fine, but he didn't expect that there would be a small friction with Cisco in the trademark category, but this would definitely not be an obstacle.

Second, Marvell bought the mobile phone chip department from Intel, and the two companies basically completed the acquisition process, but some chip engineers were unwilling to work in the new company.

Schmidt meant that if Mr. Fang was interested and Yike needed it, he could make a connection.

Fang Zhuo showed a strong willingness to welcome this, thinking that Google was indeed a good partner of Yike, and engineers from Intel were exactly what Yike was looking for.

As for the third thing...

It must be said that even if Schmidt, an Apple director, could not interfere in Apple's daily operations, he had channels to learn a lot of news that was difficult for the outside world to know.

"Someone from AT&T told me that they and Apple adopted a revenue sharing method for new network users. The specific ratio is unclear, but this is undoubtedly a cooperation template worth discussing with T-Mobile."

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

"No matter how the bundled operator tariff is calculated, users can get Apple mobile phones at a very low price."

The price at the Apple press conference was 499 US dollars for the 4G version and 599 US dollars for the 8G version.

If it is 200/300 US dollars, this is a 50% discount or even more.

Moreover, Apple phones are exclusive to AT&T. For consumers, they can either buy them at the original price but still use the AT&T network, or get them directly from AT&T at a big discount.

Undoubtedly, more people will choose the latter in both cases.

Apple did not mention this at the press conference, and no one would mention such a discount at the first launch.

If Yike is benchmarking at the level of $499/599, it would be a huge mistake.

Although it is not known when AT&T will announce the price of the contract phone, if Yike negotiates cooperation with T-Mobile or even Verizon and then learns of this situation, it may face great changes.

Fang Zhuo really took a breath of cold air. He knew that the exclusive cooperation between Apple and AT&T was a contract phone, but he did not expect it to be "cooperative" to this extent.

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

The initial estimated cost of the Mars prototype two days ago was still $259!

Fang Zhuo's thoughts turned, and he was silent for more than ten seconds before he gave his own evaluation: "It's great, this will be a win-win situation, and it may even affect the value distribution of the telecommunications industry chain."

The entire telecommunications industry chain is undoubtedly based on operators. In the United States alone, AT&T and Verizon, the top two operators, have extremely strong positions. This is what Yi Ke has personally experienced.

But if mobile phone manufacturers in the era of smart phones 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.

It's connected, the things before and after are connected.

Last night, Schmidt confirmed that AT&T put pressure on Apple, and finally made Jobs compromise and make 2G mobile phones. This is certainly because AT&T itself is strong, but also because the way they cooperate is crucial.

The iPhone needs the full support of carriers, and AT&T is betting on the appeal of touch-screen smartphones to users.

This greatly lowers the threshold for American users to try out the iPhone.

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

He heard the price and immediately knew it was a huge threat.

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

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

Schmidt calmed down and continued to describe the situation: "AT&T and Apple will share the income of new customers who join the network. Apple will give it low-priced mobile phones, and AT&T will continue to subsidize. I don't know yet what price Apple will give AT&T."

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 can't be much lower. It is most likely to be 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 plan that can make money back in the medium to long term.

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

The word was "Android phone", not "Yike phone". He was emphasizing that this is not the business of Yike family.

AT&T is willing to share and make a bet, but T-Mobile may not be willing, let alone Verizon, which has always had trouble negotiating.

And if no operator is willing to follow up like this, the mobile phone that Yike strives to build can only choose second-level parts to cut costs, lower selling prices, and improve price competitiveness.

——But in this case, the product strength will be reduced.

Yike Mobile is not competing with the 4, but with the $200 iPhone.

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

Fang Zhuo has a deep understanding of this. It's like buying a plane with the money given by Qingzi. If the budget of the plane exceeds what Qingzi gave, he probably won't buy it.

First, Apple's price is 200 US dollars, and then Yike's price may be 300/400 US dollars. The psychological expectations are completely different. This is the same truth.

However, from an operator's perspective...

T-Mobile: What? Did I hear that correctly? It’s great if I can purchase your mobile phone, but you still want me to give users a large subsidy? Do I still want to get a share of the income from my new online users? Take out the money I put in my pocket? Do you think you are Nokia?

Nokia doesn’t do this either!

This is also the reason why Schmidt called in such a hurry. The operator is not a soft persimmon who can be manipulated.

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 has been euphemistically expressing that it is not "difficult", but his judgment is "impossible". Apple and AT&T/Cingular have been in contact since 2005. Such a close relationship is beyond the reach of Yike.

"Google will communicate more with T-Mobile and we must be united."

"President Fang, only unity can achieve success."

Today's important information makes "better mobile phones" no longer a courtesy, and makes "more support" a must.

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

Without Schmidt as an Apple director, it would be really difficult to obtain such first-hand inside information. Without Google's support, it would be even harder to convince operators.

"Communicate at any time and maintain cooperation. If Yike needs something, ask it as soon as possible." Schmidt was about to end the call. He still had a lot to do today.

"Yes, Lao Shi is right, we must unite as one. Oh, yes, there is one more thing. Since you called me, I also think we need to talk about it." Fang Zhuo said naturally, "Yike and Google are on Android We still need to talk about the share ratio on the Market, 5% is too little.”

Schmidt wanted to punch himself five seconds ago.

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

Fang Zhuo understood very well: "Yes, it is a need. We all need to unite."

"You'd better implement that 'great idea' you said last night!" Schmidt didn't agree or refuse, and hung up the phone in a hurry.

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

Yesterday, when he saw the $599 price of Apple's 8G version, he was a little surprised and felt that Apple was really confident.

For comparison, Nokia's N95, the ultimate machine to be launched this year, is likely to be priced at US$799 in the United States.

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

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

"You guys talk first, and I'll deal with something else." Fang Zhuo chose to postpone again.

Now that Schmidt, the inner ghost, has exerted his strength, he cannot lose to him.

Fang Zhuo gathered his thoughts and immediately called Stringer, the head of Sony.

We talked about the weather, the development of Sony, and the funds that made profits from short selling.

Just when Stringer wanted Mr. Fang to elaborate, he heard the help he wanted to seek.

"Sir, you know that Yi Ke is making mobile phones, but recently I found that it is really difficult to make mobile phones. It is unexpectedly difficult."

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

"Now it seems that you are really good at quitting Android. The development of smartphone systems is too difficult."

Stringer listened to Mr. Fang's complaint and comforted him with a few words, Queshi, the idea of ​​Android is very good, but it is difficult to implement it.

"I saw the preliminary prototype produced by the company last week and I was very disappointed. It is very uncompetitive!"

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

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

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

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

The cooperation between Sony and Bingxin is still in progress in Shanghai. In addition, Stringer is not proficient in consumer electronics, so he will leave professional matters to professionals.

Fang Zhuo chatted for a while, and then got the phone number 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, where they could also talk about the value-added promotion of 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 surprised.

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 of Sony's camera department and hoped that Mr. Fang could help coordinate.

Fang Zhuo confirmed.

Is it that Sony's camera department is unwilling to hand over technology to Sony's mobile phone department?

"That's it, that's it, Mr. Fang, that's it!" Ichiro Takagi couldn't help but get excited as he listened to Mr. Fang's repeated confirmation. All the reports he made in Tokyo fell into stone, and his in-person 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. Don't worry, Takagi, I will uphold justice. This is outrageous." Fang Zhuo directly promised, his communication channel with Stringer Very smooth.

If a director doesn't make decisions for his subordinates, he might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes!

Foreign directors are also directors!

The mole is also a mole!

Fang Zhuo hung up the phone in the voice of Takagi Ichiro's thanks.

He held 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 photography experience and was unwilling to share technology internally...

So Sony! Really Sony!

You can't blame yourself, the foreign director, for getting angry.

Fang Zhuo shook his head and took his mobile phone to attend the meeting next door that had been postponed for a long time. He planned to contact Stringer in two days.

When he walked into the conference room, the first thing he saw was that the table was covered with dismantled and shredded mobile phone parts, and then he heard loud exchanges that continued.

It seems that there has been a spontaneous and thorough discussion in the conference room on today's topic of "front-facing cameras."

"Can you do it?" Fang Zhuo sat down and asked Xu Keden and Judy directly. One of them is from China and the other is from the United States. Sometimes they represent two ideas and factions in the department.

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

"Very good, let's do it." Fang Zhuoli said neatly, "Determine the pixels, study the algorithm, optimize the system, and start recruiting the best electronic engineers at all costs today."

“We’re going to make a phone with the best front-facing camera in the world,” he announced.

There was a roar of agreement in the conference room.

What is the concept of the best in the world?

Even if it’s just a niche area!

This groundbreaking work is especially exciting for designers and engineers!

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. His bottom line was 3.5 inches, but 3.7 inches would be ideal.

The meeting quickly adopted changes to the design that 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 quickly mentioned the details of a differentiated competition.

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

He added: "Moreover, Chinese manufacturers are all very small. At present, it seems that Schott Glass Factory in Germany, which has 130 years of experience in the glass field, is the most promising. It has mentioned an aluminosilicate glass route. Very promising.”

Fang Zhuo was about to nod when he saw Fan Yuanzhi, who was a little further away, looking a little hesitant. This was a supply chain employee from China and the son of the "copper pea" Fan Xiong.

He pointed out his name: "Xiao Fan, you are familiar with China, tell me."

Fan Yuanzhi heard this and gave a different opinion: "Among the three domestic manufacturers, one is Lens Technology. Although it was only established last year, the founder is also very experienced in this field. The important thing is that although it did not mention aluminosilicate glass, it did mention aluminosilicate glass. I think it can be tried."

Fang Zhuo pondered for a moment, and then thought of the $200 iPhone, and said: "Then let Schott and Lens try it."

There can be more than one supplier. If Lens can meet the requirements or has the potential for cultivation, it can help Yike Mobile Phone reduce costs in the future. Every bit of savings is a bit.

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