Reinventing the Millennium

Fang Zhuo arranged a tight schedule after arriving in New York.

There are less than four weeks until Apple’s press conference. Although there is a long-standing psychological expectation of going slow and playing fast, the launch of the other party’s new phone will still bring pressure.

Factors such as Android's progress, hardware conditions, Google's attitude, and other factors are largely uncontrollable.

"Mr. Fang, you frown, I don't even dare to pick up food now."

Return to the hotel from the airport and have dinner together after a short rest.

Yu Hong noticed that a group of senior executives were a little cautious because of Mr. Fang's contemplation, so she spoke up to liven up the atmosphere.

Fang Zhuo glanced at Mr. Yu and saw the unconscious gazes of others from the corner of his eye. He smiled and said, "I frowned because I was thinking about Lehman. Mr. Yu, there is no news about Apple. Do we have any good news here?" ?”

"Yes." Yu Hong said immediately, "Of course there is."

Fang Zhuo, Xu Keden and others were all listening.

Yu Hong said happily: "Our mobile phone can be used successfully for an hour without automatically blacking out or shutting down!"

As a co-founder and a high official in Xinjiang, Mr. Yu also holds a high position of authority in Yike Company.

Executives from China were subconsciously happy.

"It seems that Mr. Yu is also facing great competitive pressure in the United States." Fang Zhuo sighed, "I don't even have such a yin and yang spirit."

Apple's new phone is about to be launched, but the screen here is still black. What's there to be happy about?

The executives were unhappy again following Mr. Fang's instructions.

Xu Keden took the lead in resisting the sandwich biscuits: "Mr. Fang, Mr. Yu, I've eaten. I'm going back first to catch up on jet lag. I didn't sleep well on the plane."

Yu Hong said with a smile: "Teacher Xu, have a good rest. You must be a little tired recently."

As the technical director retreated, others were also full quickly.

Fang Zhuo waited until everyone left and said helplessly: "Mr. Yu's power is gradually increasing, he is really the king of Yi Kemei."

"The King of the United States without shares?" Yu Hong sneered and said, "You have money to buy a plane, when will you pay me back?"

"Airplanes are in the name of the company." Fang Zhuo said seriously, "Do you need money now? I can always squeeze it out if I squeeze left and right."

"When the results of your short Lehman short sale come out, I also want to see whether it is a loss or a profit." Yu Hong said of her previous attention from a distance. In the United States, she could truly feel the public opinion of the two companies at that time. Condition.

Lehman shorted Yike? are you crazy!

Fang Zhuo shorted Lehman? He is also a psychopath!

Looking at the time, shorting Lehman was in mid-August, and there were only two months left before the six-month deadline.

Last week, Yu Hong saw a Lehman executive mention this matter and said proudly that Lehman's stock price had risen slightly.

But compared to the turbulent Wall Street, this small friction between the two companies has become less popular. It is estimated that there will be some coverage when the results come out.

She now wants to see which one is more neurotic.

Fang Zhuo nodded. Come on, New York's housing prices have shown a more obvious signal of decline, but the financial market seems to feel that their prosperity has transcended the foundation of reality.

The two of them ate and chatted, not in a hurry to end the dinner.

Now that Fang Zhuo had arrived in New York, he adjusted his mentality slightly and asked some more specific things about Android Company.

Yu Hong actually returned to China for a few days' rest in the first two months and met Zhou Xin and his daughter Keke. She would answer Mr. Fang's questions while asking about Zhou Keke's situation.

What was quite embarrassing was that while Yu Hong was answering questions fluently, Fang Zhuo was a little unable to answer...

"Forget it, forget it, it would be great if President Fangda could remember that his name is Keke." Yu Hong complained, "Tell me about your cross-patent authorization."

Fang Zhuo was a little ashamed.

He thought silently for a few seconds and explained more specifically the idea he mentioned in the car: "Yike is a shareholder of the Android company. Now the Android system and Yike mobile phones are two sides of the same coin if they want to succeed. I want Android to be faster and better." , Yike provides our patent authorization to manufacturers equipped with Android systems, which is also an attraction."

"The patents approved in the United States through the PCT this time have relatively basic applications on touch-screen mobile phones."

“I hope to establish a patent pool cooperation mechanism with Google. We put the patents we can use into the pool, and Google puts theirs into it. Together, we can make this pool bigger, so as to better build smartphones. product."

Yu Hong nodded slightly. Google is rich and getting richer. Its current attitude is not to directly manufacture mobile phones, but to focus on the development of the Android system. However, the Android system is open and seeks more manufacturers to install it.

How to let one's own camp have a patent moat is an important matter for Android companies.

Fang Zhuo looked at Yu Hong and continued: "Last time Google revealed the idea of ​​turning Android into a subsidiary, there may be two. The more basic and core the patent provided by Yike for this mechanism, the less leverage we have in the future. more."

This kind of bargaining chip is not only the cooperation between the two parties on the Android company, but also the consideration that if it becomes a confrontation, the basic and core patent authorization can in turn be turned into a weapon.

Whether this potential weapon is sharp enough depends on whether Yike's research and development capabilities are strong enough. It is also one-piece and two-sided.

Yu Hong could only hear one meaning, thought for a while, and said: "I think the patent litigation here in the United States is very cumbersome, and it can take several years between big companies. If Apple really has a touch screen phone, I'm afraid that these patents It will not hinder the launch of its mobile phone this time."

Patent litigation and counterclaims are a normal part of competition.

It also involves multiple reviews of patents, invalidation of patent applications and other responses.

Even if Apple does infringe, the outcome of the lawsuit will not be until next year or even the year after at least, and it will be difficult to have an impact on the present.

There is also a tendency for the other party to have similar patents and reconcile with each other.

But if the lawsuit is really successful at the U.S. International Trade Commission, and HTC lost the lawsuit and was banned from entering the U.S. market, that would be the beginning of its decline.

Fang Zhuo thought he could give it a try. Anyway, if you have dates or not, you can play two shots. When Yike mobile phone is released, I believe Apple will not be polite.

"Apple will launch in January. According to the plan, Yike will be a year behind schedule. We will focus on competition outside of products first. It is better to do more and do less."

Yu Hong said "Yeah", took a sip of water, stood up and said, "Okay, I'll take a look at these patents when I go back later. You should also go to bed early. I'm going to Silicon Valley tomorrow. I'm afraid you still have some decisions to make."

She was referring to problems with mobile phone design.

Fang Zhuo nodded slightly, he needed to take the responsibility himself: "Okay, see you tomorrow."

However, seeing that it was not too late, he returned to the room and made a casual phone call to Stringer.

As expected, the old jazz man was awake and in a good mood.

He is very comfortable as the head of Sony this year. The US business has reached a new high. The PS3 troubles were solved in August. The direction of LCD TVs has also improved after re-determining the direction. Plus the extra money from selling Android shares...

Nowadays, Stringer is vaguely praised as Sony's "Master of ZTE".

Fang Zhuo didn't say anything else on the phone. As an outside director of Sony, he praised the company's current recovery.

However, when Stringer talked about investing heavily in TV production lines next year and accelerating global industrial layout, he didn't know how to respond for a while, so he made an appointment to meet for afternoon tea when they could.

Although the old Jazz is quite greedy in Android shares, but...

Fang Zhuo extinguished all his emotions in an instant. What were he thinking about? He was still waiting to buy a building.

The day after arriving in the United States, Fang Zhuo and Yu Hong flew to Silicon Valley with Yike's senior management team and met with Google founder Larry and CEO Schmidt as scheduled.

Fang Zhuo just briefly talked about his idea of ​​​​the patent pool and was immediately enthusiastically agreed by Schmidt.

Win-win, win-win.

Google has already planned to promote its own mobile services, and the Android camp is also considering patent protection for future manufacturers. It is a good thing that Yike is willing to deepen cooperation in this way.

However, Schmidt was a little hesitant after hearing Fang Zhuo's other condition: pre-installing software developed by Yike Company on the Android system?

"Mr. Fang, I like your ambition, but if you look at the Android company's development expectations, you should know that we have an Android Market app store on the Android system."

"I think the software you mentioned that is similar to text message communication can be placed in the Android Market. How about it?"

Fang Zhuo and Yu Hong were invited into Schmidt's office to discuss these.

He directly expressed his dissatisfaction: "No, Schmidt, your Google is too slow. I have helped you negotiate with China Mobile, China Unicom, and telecom operators, but your Open Mobile Phone Alliance has not yet been established."

"The development progress of the Android system is under the control of Google, and there is no hope of it going online yet."

"Even the negotiation with the operator is a mess!"

"Schmidt, our competitors are about to release mobile phones. We can't stop here, we can't stand still, we have to attack quickly!"

"You have forced us, Yike Company, to start helping to consider system ecology!"

Schmidt was not angry because of Mr. Fang's mood, and pointed out one point: "Mr. Fang, it's not 'you', it's 'our' Open Mobile Phone Alliance. I also urgently want it to be established as soon as possible, but the problem still lies with the operators." here."

"We invited T-Mobile and AT\u0026T, but they were not interested."

"We're still missing a key player."

AT\u0026T and T-Mobile are the first and third mobile communication operators in the United States respectively.

Fang Zhuo frowned and said, "You're not talking about me, are you? I'm not familiar with AT\u0026T and T-Mobile at all."

Schmidt was stunned for a moment and smiled: "No, no, no, I mean we are still missing a key lobbyist. Google hopes to get both AT\u0026T and T-Mobile to enter the Open Handset Alliance."

Larry next to him helped explain: "The competition between AT\u0026T and T-Mobile is fierce, and it will be difficult to win over them. If possible, we very much hope that future Yike mobile phones can be sold along the channels of these two operators."

Fang Zhuo turned from anger to joy: "Where are the key figures? Can the negotiation be successful?"

Schmidt and Larry looked at each other, both of them a little helpless: "Hilde is a non-executive director of T-Mobile and has worked for AT\u0026T for a long time. The relationship between the two parties is good. Unfortunately, he went to see him last week. God."

Fang Zhuo: "..."

Larry continued: "Hield Jr. also has a good influence on T-Mobile, but the negotiations with AT\u0026T have stalled, and we have received a piece of very real news."

"Apple should have an exclusive cooperation with AT\u0026T."

"Both parties probably have certain exclusive agreements."

Fang Zhuo frowned slightly, digesting the news: "It seems that God doesn't want AT\u0026T to cooperate with us. As far as I know, T-Mobile's users in the United States are quite different from AT\u0026T, right?"

Yu Hong knew this data and added: "AT\u0026T has completed the acquisition of wireless operator Cingular. The gap between it and T-Mobile is about 60 million and 20 million users."

Schmidt nodded. If given the choice, the Open Handset Alliance would certainly prefer AT\u0026T.

Yu Hong added: "But T-Mobile has a good market in Europe. It is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom. Europe is its base. There are estimated to be 60 million users there."

Fang Zhuo turned over the data in his mind and asked: "First and third, what about second? Is it Verizon?"

Schmidt shrugged: "We have a tense relationship with Verizon."

Among the three major operators in the United States, AT\u0026T cooperates with Apple, Verizon has a tense relationship with Google, and T-Mobile has a considerable gap in user numbers.

"Then let's bring in T-Mobile first. In addition to the top three, fourth and fifth are also acceptable." Fang Zhuo advised.

Schmidt felt that it was necessary to show his achievements. He always felt like being treated as waste by Mr. Fang: "Japan's KDDI, NTT, Softbank, Italy's Telecom, Spain's Telefónica, Canada's TELUS, Britain's Vodafone, Google We all had good conversations with them.”

"This is the best news I've heard recently." Fang Zhuo commented.

Schmidt smiled and said: "So, Mr. Fang, I think you attach too much importance to Apple's mobile phones. Instead of being so nervous about it, you should pay more attention to Nokia, a more realistic competitor, which has a very good growth rate." Sony Ericsson mobile phone.”

Larry also said: "This will be a strong opponent of Yike mobile phone after its release."

Schmidt said: "Mr. Fang, I will help you take a look at Apple's new mobile phone. It is the first time it has made a mobile phone. I think if possible, if it encounters problems, it will still hope to join our Android camp."

Seeing that Mr. Fang's expression was still solemn, he smiled slightly: "You have to trust the judgment of an outside director of Apple. After all, I am going to speak on stage."

Fang Zhuo had had a lot of dealings with Google founder Larry before, but now there was an omission in information. He was stunned when he heard this: "Why are you a director of Apple?"

Schmidt asked: "Mr. Fang, why are you a director of Sony?"

Fang Zhuo was speechless: "You, an Apple director, don't like its mobile phones?"

Schmidt asked again: "Mr. Fang, are you, a director of Sony, optimistic about Sony's development?"

Fang Zhuo was convinced.

As an outside director of Sony, I had a sympathetic relationship with Mr. Schmidt, an outside director of Apple.

Since he, the foreign director, can wait to buy a building, Schmidt, the foreign director, can certainly look down on Apple mobile phones.

Unfortunately, he was wrong this time.

"Mr. Fang, Sony Ericsson's mobile phone development is very good. I think you can learn more about mobile phone experience from Sony." Schmidt once again reminded Mr. Fang to pay attention to competitors.

When asked about Sony Ericsson’s reminder about Sony Ericsson’s phone, Director Suo said...it really felt a little bit ridiculous.

Apple's foreign director does not believe in Sony's foreign director's attention, and Sony's foreign director does not recognize Apple's foreign director's judgment.

Fang Zhuo was silent for a while, but did not ask about Schmidt's appearance at the Apple conference. It was nothing more than a cooperation with Google Search. Even if Google makes Android, it will not give up the opportunity to enter the mobile terminal.

He drank half a glass of water, reorganized the message, and asked: "Schmidt, have you looked at Apple's phone?"

"No, I just know some news, but like everyone else, I'm waiting for the press conference. Well, maybe I can see it a day in advance." Schmidt was not sure.

Fang Zhuo also understood that as a foreign director of Sony, he did not know Sony's secrets, and Apple paid more attention to the protection of mobile phones.

He was lost in thought.

Schmidt continued to talk about his views on Apple mobile phones, mainly looking at the prospects of Apple mobile phones from the multi-faceted cooperation of Android systems, and believed that future smart phone systems must be open.

Fang Zhuo listened to this for a while and said, Ash, you'd better do a good search.

He seeks common ground while reserving differences: "Whether Apple, Nokia, or Sony Ericsson, we all have to mention the progress of development. Can Google realize the future of smarter mobile phones, but can't Microsoft realize it?"

"Don't give your opponent too much time to react."

Schmidt made a promise: "Mr. Fang, I believe we will see the establishment of the Open Handset Alliance in the first half of the year. This will be a landmark signal for the development of smart phone systems."

Fang Zhuo finally heard the right words: "Before March, Schmidt, I hope to see the establishment of the Open Handset Alliance before March."

He emphasized: “Before coming, I even hoped to see it at the end of this month!”

Schmidt was helpless about the urgency he felt from Mr. Fang: "As much as possible, Mr. Fang, I also hope to drink celebratory champagne with you in March."

He turned the topic back to the original question: "The software developed by Yike must be placed in the Android Market."

Fang Zhuo refused: "No, Google should welcome Yike's enrichment of the Android ecosystem."

Schmidt shook his head: "Welcome, of course, but it must be included in the Market system."

One is pre-installed and the other is in the app store. The former is a parallel relationship and the latter is a top-down relationship.

Schmidt didn't like the disruption of Yike's pre-installation, especially since it seemed like a bad example as it was planned to be the first phone to be powered by Android.

"Schmidt, Larry, and Yi Ke are shareholders of Android, and they are also a hardware manufacturer." Fang Zhuo stated the reason, "Android can have its own Market app store, but it must also accept the transformation of Android by our hardware manufacturers."

"After all, it's open."

"What Yike wants to do is also in line with the spirit of Android, isn't it?"

Fang Zhuo stood up and extended his right hand towards Schmidt.

Schmidt hesitated for a few seconds before stretching out his hand, and said with some complaints: "When you push Android, you are the shareholder, and when you destroy Android, you are the manufacturer. Mr. Fang, you are the first Android phone. If it doesn't happen next time, Android can only To leave a place for Yike, a market system must be established."

He had a little more strength in his hands to show his determination.

Fang Zhuo cautiously shook hands again and again, and this will not happen again next time.