Reinventing the Millennium

Fang Zhuo is waiting to see and stir up the industry situation, considering how to best serve the interests of Yike.

Objectively speaking, Qualcomm is worthy of being one of the former Iron Triangle. Whether it is an order for Bingxin or a support for Yike, it has greatly helped the rise of Yike smartphones.

However, Qualcomm’s choice is based on its own perspective and is a mutually beneficial cooperation.

Yike should buy chips and pay patent fees. Fang Zhuo has not had many thoughts of "suffering" in these years, but the 4G era is indeed a good opportunity, and brothers around the world have long looked at monopoly. Qualcomm is not very pleasing to the eye...

On November 10, before anyone from Intel arrived, Fang Zhuoxian received a personal call from Jacobs, the head of Qualcomm. This was the first communication between the heads of the Internet since the conflict between the two parties broke out.

"Mr. Fang, you Yike want too much now. I heard from people in the company that Yike wants to directly cancel the patent fee payment on the mobile phone. This is too unreasonable." Jacob said two words later. Just complain directly.

"Mars aside, Selfy has already bought Qualcomm's baseband chip, so why should he pay another patent fee? Jacob, this is unreasonable." Fang Zhuo's point of view is not new.

"Whether it's Apple, Samsung or HTC, all manufacturers in the world are like this. Qualcomm has given the lowest ratio to Yike." Jacob emphasized the current situation, "Mr. Fang, to be honest, we at Qualcomm have given us the lowest ratio for Yike." Isn’t Yi Ke’s kindness enough? Isn’t his help enough?”

He lamented and condemned: "Mr. Fang, you want too much!"

"Every chip that Yike buys from Qualcomm, Qualcomm makes a profit. Jacob, you said that this is the case for all manufacturers in the world. Why has Apple come out and is unwilling? You think I want more, but in fact you are the one who wants it." Qualcomm has asked for too much in recent years." Fang Zhuo retorted, and then said, "Let's not argue about these for now, Jacob, what is in front of us now is..."

He paused and continued to ask: "You said that Yike wants too much. Do you think Yike has the ability to ask for so much?"

You have your position, and I have my considerations. Let’s talk about the current situation and the future.

Jacob held the phone, frowned, and did not answer directly: "Mr. Fang, Qualcomm's achievements in the field of communications are world-leading."

Before he could speak to the other person, he mentioned an incident from last year: "I have always respected you. Even though Ice Core was repeatedly challenged in the United States last year, I have always been on Yike's side. No matter who it is, I insist It’s all business and business.”

"I'm grateful for Qualcomm's rationality, and I'm grateful for your respect." Fang Zhuo quoted this, "Okay, let business be business, Jacob, I think it's time for Qualcomm to make changes."

He knew that Jacob had spoken at a closed-door meeting in Washington, and to some extent he still spoke out to defend Yi Ke.

But... business is business, and it is very business now.

Jacob also immediately said in a very business-like manner: "Yes, Qualcomm needs to make changes. As early as when Yike started to 'de-Qualcommize', we should have handed over the order to Taiwanese journalists instead of continuing to cultivate our competition." opponent."

"Bingxin is not a competitor of Qualcomm, but a partner of Qualcomm." Fang Zhuo said seriously, "In addition, I must say that Bingxin's price to Qualcomm is also a preferential price for partners."

After years of cooperation, we can talk about friendship, but if the friendship is broken, the prices below are also real.

"Very good, Mr. Fang, I don't think Yike has enough capabilities in the field of baseband communications." Jacob answered the question directly and finally said, "Qualcomm and Yike can still talk, but it's better to do it faster. Frankly speaking, I am a fan of Yike products and I don’t want them to disappear in the U.S. market.”

Fang Zhuo ended the call and put down the phone.

In terms of Yike alone, it is indeed still a little worse, but this time it may not be just Yike, and Jacob's words may really mean that Qualcomm is really going to cut off Qualcomm's order in ice core.

Also, Qualcomm should believe that Yike is still trying to negotiate prices, whether it is canceling the authorization model or some actions outside the company.

After all, Jacob's confidence foundation is indeed solid. Although Qualcomm's patent lead in the 4G era is not that high, it is still the world's number one. Who will fight to the end when facing the world's number one?

A day later, Fang Zhuo received a visit from Intel's vice president on the 23rd floor of Yike. The main purpose of this trip was to talk about Qualcomm's patent monopoly in the field of communications, and the secondary purpose was to talk about the multi-stakeholder relationship between Bingxin and Intel. cooperation.

Since Hu Zhengming and Liang Mengsong took people to Intel's headquarters for exchanges, the cooperation between the two parties has advanced rapidly. Ice Core's FinFET technology reserves are very strong, which surprised Intel.

Bingxin wanted to advance Intel's DUV lithography process, and Intel wanted to research Bingxin's fin field effect transistors. The two sides hit it off and found a broad space for cooperation.

Intel's visit was very low-key, but the understanding of Qualcomm's monopoly was unified without much effort.

Compared with the cooperation between Yike and Qualcomm, Intel has been refused authorization by Qualcomm many times and hates its monopoly behavior.

For Intel or giant companies, there are two behaviors they hate most in their lives. One is that others engage in monopoly, and the other is that others prevent them from engaging in monopoly.

Seeing that there may be a real opportunity this time, Intel has nothing to worry about and is very willing to try to attack Qualcomm. In this way, it also discussed the patent licensing framework in this field with Yike.

Intel is relatively weak in this regard, but it is willing to exert its influence and take the lead in organizing an anti-Qualcomm alliance.

To sum up, companies that can form an anti-high-tech alliance include Yike, Intel, Apple, Samsung, Hon Hai, Wistron, etc. Because a large part of Qualcomm’s licensing business is handed over to manufacturing foundries, once it is launched Litigation and suspension costs for companies like Hon Hai and Wistron will also occupy a large share.

When it comes to close relationships, Hon Hai and Wistron are more influenced by their major customers Apple, Yike, and Intel. This is not comparable to Qualcomm, which is a big fan of patents.

As Intel really sharpened its skills, Fang Zhuo's inner tendency gradually became more directional.

Otherwise, just give it a try.

Anyway, if the trial fails in the end, Qualcomm will most likely reconcile.

An interesting thing about this matter is that Qualcomm launched a lawsuit very fiercely, but it was willing to settle and get money, while Yike has still exercised restraint and not launched a countersuit to this day, but is looking for whether it can put the other party at risk. Death place.

On November 15, Intel's newly appointed CEO Brian stood up and angrily criticized Qualcomm, accusing Qualcomm of creating a monopoly in the communications field and making excessive profits.

Brian claimed that he greatly appreciated Yike's efforts in product innovation and believed that Qualcomm's patent hegemony should not continue in the new era.

There were rumors before that Intel wanted to get involved in Qualcomm's affairs, but Brian came out directly, which still made Jacob laugh angrily.

He responded sarcastically: "What? Did I hear it correctly? Is it the Intel that was fined 1.06 billion euros by the EU just in 2009 for abusing its dominant position in the x86 CPU market?"

"Is this the same Intel that paid HP, Acer, and Lenovo from 2002 to 2006 to stop and delay products containing competing chips?"

"Bryan accused us of Qualcomm being a monopoly, I just wanted to laugh!"

"It must be because Brian has just become CEO and doesn't know enough about the history of his company!"

Jacob made a strange move and got another shot from Brian.

"Intel is still appealing the EU's decision, and the company has full confidence in the outcome of the appeal. I know Intel as well as Qualcomm. After all, Qualcomm's monopoly practices are well-known around the world."

"It was investigated by the European Union in 2005, by South Korea in 2006, by the United States in 2010, and by China this year. This is Qualcomm, and this is Qualcomm that has to spend money every time it is investigated!"

"No, I should be more cautious when I speak. This year's investigation by China is not over yet. Qualcomm will not only pay money this year, but I am afraid it will also face the impact of Yike."

"This is a small step forward for Yike, but it is a big step against Qualcomm's patent hegemony!"

The heads of Intel and Qualcomm exchanged words in the air, which attracted the attention of many people, including Fang Zhuo, who also watched with great interest.

However, just when Qualcomm is making a fuss in the public opinion, Samsung, which ranks first among the three in terms of CPU scores this year, seems to have overturned.

This year, Yusanjia concentrated on holding press conferences at the end of October, which directly dominated the mobile phone market during the traditional sales season. In addition, full-screen production capacity exploded this year, and last year's shortage of full-screen mobile phones drove many consumers' enthusiasm for replacement.

Is it Mars, Selfy, iPhone, or Trump?

Since the press conference, many evaluation agencies have been chasing the popularity of this wave of flagship phones. As the number of evaluations increases, problems with Samsung’s eight-core processor have gradually emerged.

In actual use, although Samsung ranks first in running scores, its performance is always inferior to Mars, Selfy and iPhone. After in-depth analysis and disassembly, everyone found that it is not so much an eight-core processor. It is a "dual·quad-core processor".

Samsung's Orion Exynos actually adopts a large and small core design, which is four A15 architecture large cores plus four A7 architecture small cores. The small cores work when the task load is low to save power and extend battery life. Effect.

The running scores are indeed beautiful, but there is a gap between the actual experience and competitors.

In addition to the CPU problem, consumers who have received the goods have complained about many similar situations. After a few days of use, the edges have cracked. Moreover, compared to Yike, which is also in the Android camp, Samsung mobile phones have different Few pre-installed software cannot be uninstalled.

Also, Trump’s camera parameters are very high, but the response is obviously slow when changing modes, as if the optimization is not enough.

With such a CPU and some minor issues, Samsung's flagship this time has a disappointing rating.

However, Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong is not very worried. Apple next door has received the highest negative reviews in history.

The problem still lies with the cheaper version of the iPhone.

Many media and Apple fans criticized Cook's decision this time.

"Apple is becoming a vassal. If Steve Jobs were here, he would never launch such a cheap, emasculated, disappointing and insincere mobile phone!"

"Cook is destroying Apple!"

“Cook is about to receive the ‘Yike Outstanding Employee Award’!”

"Why did Apple stand up when Yike was sued? Doesn't Cook know that Yike is the company's biggest opponent? His decision-making is always confusing."

“The most disappointing iPhone ever!”

Because of the launch of the iPhone 5C, Cook is under unprecedented pressure, but he is also quite aggrieved by some of the accusations. Forgetting the mobile phone, there may be some problem with his judgment, but this one united with Yike to oppose Qualcomm's patent monopoly...

When Yike and Nokia fought a patent war, Apple was also in the same trench as Yike!

We can’t think that it was okay when we were Steve Jobs. But now that I’m Cook, such decisions are all wrong!

But Cook could only shut up and wanted to take another look at the sales of iPhone 5C. By the way, he clarified on Twitter that the meaning of the C in "5C" is Color, not Cheap.

As soon as he tweeted, the comments were full of criticism. In desperation, he could only continue to focus on the patent battle out of sight and out of mind.

Samsung is suspected of overturning, Apple has been criticized, Yike has been sued by Qualcomm...

Each of the Yusan family has its own excitement in November.

However, in silence, Qualcomm really cut off some ice core orders, which seemed to have completely decided to break with Yike.

But just after such a decision was informed, Fang Zhuo received another communication call from Jacob, claiming that he was willing to conduct a sincere negotiation.

After careful consideration, Fang Zhuo politely declined.

"Mr. Fang, it's impossible for Qualcomm to give up licensing fees. You don't have to think about seeking a breakthrough in this area. We can talk about the proportion issue." Jacob hinted, as if he knew the other party's willingness to bargain. " Or, if Yike gets a certain product sales figure, we can provide a sincere refund of the licensing fee."

Fee rebate, this is an offer that Jacob believes is extremely sincere and can promote changes in the situation.

"Let business be business. You can't talk to us, Yike, while hurting another innocent company. What did Bingxin do wrong?" Fang Zhuo could only sigh. How could Bingxin deserve it?

"It's impossible for you to circumvent our patent portfolio." Jacob expressed confidence.

"Try it, good people can't always have their guns pointed at them." Fang Zhuo made a righteous voice.

Accompanied by such voices, two days later, Yike finally launched a countersuit against Qualcomm in the California court, claiming that it violated the FRAND principle and was suspected of patent monopoly.

On this day, Yike's clear actions once again made headlines in major media, and were regarded as the progress of the patent competition between the two companies.

Some media also roughly compared the patents of Yike and Qualcomm. As of November 2013, Qualcomm had 655 standard essential patents in the communications field, while Yike only had 329. The gap in strength is still very obvious.

"Communication patents have strong barriers, and you cannot achieve results without investing in research and development. Especially the life cycle of 3C products is very short. It is already very difficult for Yike to accumulate these standard essential patents."

"Moreover, the number of patents is not an absolute criterion for measuring the strength of both parties. Samsung has almost the same 652 standard essential patents as Qualcomm, but it still needs to pay huge patent fees to Qualcomm."

“Yike’s patent litigation this time is not optimistic.”

On the same day that China Securities Journal commented with some concern on Yike's formal counterclaim, Samsung also filed an antitrust lawsuit against Qualcomm in South Korea.

Without waiting for more comments, Apple also filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm in the United States.

The three mobile phone giants each took action, as if they could not bear it anymore.

Affected by this, Qualcomm's stock price also plummeted again.