Reinventing the Millennium

As an executive with the highest position in an American technology company, Lu Qi is still very famous.

In particular, Google is more familiar with Lu Qi.

Because, under the leadership of Lu Qi, Microsoft's search Bing almost grabbed more than 20% of the market share from scratch. The method adopted was to cooperate with Facebook and other social media, which is amazing.

On the mobile side, where Google is putting a lot of effort, Bing is also somewhat ready to make a move, and there have been rumors of an intention to cooperate with Apple.

The reason why it is Apple is probably because it is the company that has the least close cooperation with Google. Regardless of Yike and Samsung, they are all using Google's GMS, and they are deeply involved.

But at this point, from Google's point of view, if there is a plan to switch to Bing after the cooperation with Apple expires, the two companies that should be most stable in the mobile market are Samsung and Yike.

Otherwise, if Apple changes its gear, Yike betrays itself, and with the cooperation between BING and social media platforms, the situation in the entire mobile search market will immediately become different.

This was related to Google's core business, so Larry flew to Shanghai with apologies to personally promote this cooperation.

If it is not natural, there will still be some changes.

If Lu Qi's status and background were taken into consideration, the two parties would become passionately in love if he returned to Shanghai during his vacation.

Larry was on guard, thinking that President Fang would take the opportunity to talk about the competition between Microsoft and Google. However, unexpectedly, this person did not talk about this and still talked about the current situation and development of Yike.

After the one-on-one meeting ended, Fang Zhuo smiled before heading to the luncheon: "Larry, it's not like Lu Qi made a call and you were worried. He didn't even come, but you flew there yourself." Come on, who is more sincere?"

What's more, that's still a fake Lu Qi...

Fang Zhuo hosted a banquet for Larry, and sitting next to him was Qi He who made the call on his own initiative.

While eating, Larry politely listened to some chats from Yike's competitive product business. He knew Qi He and knew that this person was in charge of the GMS-like section.

When Qi He talked about his recent development of cloud business in the European market, Larry became somewhat interested. This is a segment that Google is doing but is relatively weak in. Not to mention comparable to Amazon, even Microsoft cannot compare.

Google has been researching this area relatively early, but the entire company is still hesitant about its direction.

"Why does Yike want to develop in Europe? I really haven't heard that Yike is doing cloud business in the United States." Larry asked a question.

Qi He glanced at his boss and saw that Mr. Fang had no intention of hiding it, so he replied directly: "To avoid Amazon and Microsoft."

Larry blinked, oh no Google.

"There are many small and medium-sized companies in Europe, with many things to do and low profits, but the demands they put forward are actually worthy of our consideration." Qi He said eloquently, "We are now building LaaS infrastructure, and the docking with customer needs is important in itself. part of it.”

Larry frowned and said, "It's a bit convoluted."

"The cloud business is To B. A model based on this kind of model itself must pay attention to customer needs, which is not easy." Fang Zhuo took over the words and said simply, "Just like your Google, the business model is more Built around consumer search.”

To put it more bluntly, Google is similar to Baidu in this regard. Search is so profitable that other businesses have to be deferred.

Why is Google willing to spend huge sums of money every year to maintain the default engine? Because it can make more and more money through this.

Larry understood this time, but he just laughed: "Mr. Fang is the best president in the world. It seems that Google needs to ask you to talk to us about its cloud business strategy."

"It's enough to ask Bezos. Let him talk about how Amazon paralyzed you." Fang Zhuo smiled.

Larry looked at Mr. Fang in surprise, feeling that although he was smiling, he seemed to be serious about what he said.

He had an idea and changed the topic.

Google and Yike have many cooperation projects, and the two leaders have personal relationships. This lunch was a feast for the guests and the host.

In the afternoon, Larry walked into the president's office and saw Yike Mars and Selfy, which will be released this month, and was immediately attracted to the former.

He picked up Mars in surprise and murmured: "Is this the Mars model you are going to mass-produce? This... made me feel like meeting Mars for the first time."

"Of course it's a mass production model. Small-scale mass production should be considered mass production." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "To be precise, it should be the Mars Pro version. How about it? It's not in vain. This one can be given as a gift. you."

At this month’s press conference, Yike confirmed that it will not launch a tablet and will launch the second-generation Galaxy in March next year. However, in addition to the traditional Mars 6 and Selfy 3, it has also developed a higher-level series-Mars 6 Pro. .

The Pro version now presented to Larry is different in style from the already released Samsung Trump and Apple iPhone, or in other words, it is also different from its brother Mars6.

Because this is a full-screen mobile phone in cooperation with Sharp.

As a supplier that has been cooperating since 2007, Sharp jointly researched and developed with Yike this time, and finally chose a less difficult hole-digging solution for hole-digging, bangs, and water-drop screens, while in the choice of through-holes and blind holes The latter, which is lower in difficulty and cost, is also used above.

However, in order to maintain harmony between the top and bottom of the screen, the Pro version cancels fingerprint recognition, while Mars6 still has a push-type fingerprint function.

"The cost of this screen is 30% higher than that of the regular version. Now Sharp's production is also low, and they are worried that the market will not recognize it enough." Fang Zhuo introduced the new machine to Larry, "The hole on it, we The hole processing of the backlight layer can improve the yield rate, and the camera is hidden under the screen.”

"Unfortunately, such holes will affect the light transmittance and color cast of the screen. The R\u0026D center is still working on more solutions."

"Including this fingerprint, our under-screen fingerprint solution may be completed next year, but if not... we have other solutions."

The "other solutions" Fang Zhuo refers to are still not using fingerprints, but introducing face recognition.

The head of Yike was chatting freely, while the head of Google was playing with Mars 6 Pro over and over in his hands, and even took out the previous generation Mars 5 in his pocket to compare.

The bezels are greatly reduced, the forehead and chin are gone, and the screen-to-body ratio is greatly improved.

At first, the keyboard was removed from the mobile phone and replaced with a touch screen, which greatly increased the screen area. Now having such a product in the palm of your hand is like another vivid trend.

"Mr. Fang, you should not use Mars for this mobile phone, but use another new series." Larry praised.

"Our design is a bit radical, but everyone is not sure enough," said Fang Zhuo.

Larry looked up at Mr. Fang and said, "A little more aggressive," less realistic and more humble.

He stroked the screen and said with a smile: "It seems that this model will be a big seller this year. Does Yike have any internal goals?"

"There is no target, and the production capacity cannot keep up." Fang Zhuo said, "But for us, we hope to create a new direction for smartphones, which is more conducive to our brand image."

For example, touch screen, Android, front camera, CMOS and camera algorithm... It is these, not just the advancement of hardware, that together shape Yike's global brand image.

Larry fell into thinking and suddenly said: "Yike's shipments next year will be directed towards Samsung."

Fang Zhuo shook his head: "Samsung is too powerful, we just sit back and watch."

"Can the annual shipment volume exceed 100 million units this year?" Larry asked again.

Fang Zhuo replied succinctly: "I have confidence."

Larry nodded, which was the main reason for this trip to send money.

Last year, Samsung shipped the most of the Yusan family, with 145 million units, followed by Yike's 81.3 million units and Apple's 73.17 million units. However, Samsung shipped all products in the mid-range, mid-range and low-end categories, and only shipped flagship phones. On the other hand, its Trump series is 61.8 million units.

Looking at the trends in the first eight months of this year, the global smartphone market is still growing rapidly.

In addition, "Kesheng", a subsidiary brand of Yike Holdings, has also entered operator channels overseas, which will definitely further increase its market share.

It is precisely because of this that Google prefers to sign multi-year contracts. Even if there are ice core problems, it is optimistic about the development of Yike.

Larry took a sip of coffee: "You guys really squeezed Nokia to death together."

"Wouldn't this just help you meet the challenge from Microsoft?" Fang Zhuo said with a smile.

Microsoft cannot support decent products on the mobile side, which is very different from Google.

Larry touched the Pro in his hand, seeking further cooperation opinions: "Mr. Fang, as you know, Google has always been very supportive of Yike. I am willing to discuss our cooperation on the basis of the original $550 million."

"Or four years?" Fang Zhuo asked.

Larry nodded: "Yes."

Seeing Larry's love for the Pro, Fang Zhuo asked: "The Pro's design style is so radical, fingerprints have been removed, and the front camera has to be compromised. Are you confident in its market performance?"

Larry said without hesitation: "Of course."

"If you are confident, I will be even more confident." Fang Zhuo talked about product planning, "If this year's Pro version can be accepted by consumers, next year's design will be transferred to the standard version, and the chip performance will also meet the requirements. Here’s a big improvement, Larry, if it were you and me, would you rather sign for a long term or a short term?”

Larry hesitated and said: "From the perspective of our cooperative relationship, actually, I think..."

Fang Zhuo interrupted: "Larry, stay real like me. Tell me what you would choose."

Larry looked at Mr. Fang, then at the full-screen display in his hand. After a moment of silence, he said helplessly: "I shouldn't have asked you to take out this generation of mobile phones and show them to me."

This was his voluntary request, wanting to take a sneak peek.

"If you don't mention it, I will show it to you, who makes us an indestructible partner." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "Yike is the king of Android phones. In the past six years, we have led the development of global smartphones together. Tide, I will still have this confidence in the future.”

Larry compromised and said: "Three years, Mr. Fang, let's negotiate an incremental clause. After three years, we will continue to negotiate the contract according to market conditions."

Fang Zhuo looked at his old friend from Google and smiled: "Three years will be three years, and the increments will be increments. It's still awkward to talk about money all the time. Let them do it."

"Mr. Fang, you are really..." Larry tried to find a suitable description.

"If I really want to talk more about this, I should invite Lu Qi to the company." Fang Zhuo said, "Personally, I would rather give users a better experience. Google is indeed better than Bing." powerful."

Larry arranged the mobile phones on the table, looked at the Mars 6 Pro with a higher screen ratio, and admitted: "Yes, Yike has always been excellent in terms of user experience."

He said in a daze: "I am looking forward to Yike's press conference at the end of the month. If you look at it this way, it may be a good decision for Samsung and Apple to release it in advance."

If they were both released in the same month, Yike’s Pro version of Mars would definitely be more outstanding in comparison.

"Production capacity, production capacity, production capacity." Fang Zhuolian said the keyword three times, "This is a major problem that restricts us."

Larry nodded, feeling that Yike's design this time would definitely lead to a new trend.

He put the Mars 6 Pro on the table into his pocket and said with a smile: "When I return to Silicon Valley, I will definitely go to watch Yike's press conference."

"That's perfect." Fang Zhuo nodded, took out a new Pro from the drawer and put it in his pocket, "Let's go, I'll take you to visit the R\u0026D center here in Shanghai. Sharp also has a joint venture here. laboratory."

Larry nodded happily and was willing to take a look at Yike's R\u0026D capabilities.

…

Lu Zhendong of Baidu still did not give up his efforts to promote cooperation even after being rejected many times by Mr. Yi Keqi.

However, Yike has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, so you have to be careful.

In addition to Yike, Baidu has also begun to connect with Apple and Samsung, intending to win over these two Yike rivals first.

Baidu has always had a "I don't give you money, you have to choose me" attitude on the mobile side. It was only after seeing Sogou spending money that it changed its strategy.

Unlike Yike, which has Sogou as a partner, Lu Zhendong believes that Samsung and Apple should be easy to negotiate, and there is no conflict of interest between the two parties. Instead, it is a trip to give money.

However, when Lu Zhendong met Zhang Yuanji, the president of Samsung in China, he felt a similar atmosphere.

"Baidu wants to sign a default engine? This is of course good, but it must comply with our similar cooperation." Zhang Yuanji was quite polite, "Our cooperation with Google is at least US$500 million a year."

"What? US$500 million a year? Isn't your current cooperation with Google 480 million in three years?" Lu Zhendong was shocked and angry when he heard the familiar figures. He had confirmed the existing cooperation status of Samsung.

"The standards have been updated. Those are past figures. This year, no, I should say, this month, Google has signed new contracts with other companies based on market conditions." Zhang Yuanji explained seriously, "The new contract is based on US$500 million. Basic."

Lu Zhendong felt that his face was a little swollen and asked: "The 'other company' you mentioned refers to..."

"It's Yike." Zhang Yuanji said, "We have got the latest news. If Mr. Lu doesn't believe it, we can ask Yike for confirmation."

It was hard for Lu Zhendong to believe that Google could offer such a huge contract, but he didn’t believe it once and twice. When it came to Samsung, it was hard for him not to believe it.

He raised a question: "Samsung didn't ask for money for the previous engine."

"Is Baidu willing to compensate?" Zhang Yuanji asked.

Lu Zhendong: "..."

Zhang Yuanji looked at Mr. Lu from Baidu and reminded: "Samsung is sincere in cooperating with Baidu, but if cooperation is really impossible, Sogou may also be interested."

Lu Zhendong suddenly felt a headache. Why was Baidu burning money in the search engine field...