The Industrial Giant Reborn

"Computers for beauty contests, a life of new technology."

A simple short sentence (in English) of less than ten seconds has been repeatedly broadcast on major TV stations in the United States in the past two months.

Two months have passed since the Los Angeles Electronics Show. Midea Group's US branch has started to spread money in the advertising industry. The three major US TV stations NBC, ABC, and CBS naturally don't think the dollar is too much, and they don't care which one. Customers in the country, and they don't care that this customer is here to grab the computer market of their own country, have started to broadcast this advertisement in their various prime time.

A large amount of advertising investment, as well as its own good quality, naturally made many people in the market gradually begin to understand this personal computer called "Midea".

Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Apple Group Headquarters:

Jobs looked at Woz, who was fiddling with the Midea-1 computer he had just bought, and kept silent, wondering what he was thinking about, until Woz put down the gadget in his hand.

"The hardware on this computer is actually not complicated. They are all relatively common electronic components in the world. In many aspects, it is not as good as our Apple-3, but what is more powerful about it is that there are a bunch of software in it, these games , are all Eric's Midea games that used to control the arcade market, and there are several new ones, which are only suitable for mouse operation, but they are also very playable. I have to say that Eric is really good in the game field. Awesome," Woz commented.

"What do you think of the two commercial office software?" Jobs asked.

"It's also very good, especially this word software, which has a strong ability to edit text and can also identify typos, but it is not compared with the font library, but judged according to the rules of English letter matching, which can save a lot of memory. The accuracy rate will be a bit problematic, not so perfect, no matter what I think, it can continue to be updated and optimized in the future, and this EXCEL is even more powerful. It can set different tables, mathematical calculations, and convert them into commonly used charts. This is in many companies and businesses. It must be useful." Woz nodded.

"It's more than useful. Many of our former customers have called us and said that these two softwares are very useful in the Midea computers they bought. I hope we can have similar software on our computers. Although I didn't say it explicitly, I feel that , if we can’t do it, then they will stop buying our Apple computers and instead buy Midea.” Jobs said worriedly.

Part of the sales model of Apple's computers is to rely on terminal retail stores in various places, there are franchises and large supermarkets that already exist, and the other part is directly traded with many large companies, institutions or schools. These institutions purchase a lot. Apple will also sell them at a discounted price.

However, in the past two weeks, he has received calls or letters from four such stable customers, which made him feel very uneasy. Although IBM, HP, Texas Instruments and other companies are also vying for the market, everyone agrees. , After all, the blank market is too big, and this is the first time that customers have come to him to suggest learning from another company.

"So serious? At first, I thought that Midea was just planning to rely on a few fun computer games to grab some of the game-loving customer market. Now it seems that his two office software are the most powerful." Woz nodded and said.

About two months ago, Midea launched its first computer, and Apple executives, including Jobs and Woz, didn't pay much attention to it. Although Chen Zhiwen is also a shareholder of Apple, the launch of Midea's personal computer did not affect much. The relationship between the two parties is because today's technology companies launch their own computers, if not a hundred, there are dozens, and those who are ready to launch are even more numerous.

Among these companies, there are many electronics industry giants that are much larger than Midea, but except for a few that can gain a firm foothold in this market, the others are just small players in this feast, with a low market share. It's terrible, and it's still unknown how many years it will survive.

Even when Midea advertised on American TV stations on a large scale, Apple didn't care. Jobs was still seriously preparing to develop the next generation of Apple computers. He caught his attention when he found that the two office software that came with Midea's computer were very suitable for office work.

Jobs asked: "Can we develop these two pieces of software?"

"Development is not difficult, especially when we have a prototype, we can develop it in a few months, but I have also asked about these things, and they have long been registered as global patents by Midea. Unless they are authorized, they will be developed. It doesn't make any sense." Woz shook his head.

Just like the simplest screw, if you don't think about it, it will be extremely difficult. When others think about it, you will see that it is so simple. This is the characteristic of many products, and the patent in the law protects this kind of innovation.

"It seems that when Eric entered the computer market, besides games, he wanted to rely on these two softwares. I have to say, this is really a good way." Jobs said with a frown. Over the years, Apple has been doing its best. The efforts to compete with giants such as IBM for the right to speak in the hardware field are indeed not paying much attention to this area.

"Or, you can find a chance to meet with Eric and see if he can develop such office software or games for our Apple computers, so that we don't have to worry about it." Zi Zi said that he is good at technology, but not so creative. What's more, now that the patent has been registered by others, if you want to go around and make a similar one, it will be more difficult. It is not technically difficult, but creative. , no is no.

"Well, it makes sense, but I don't know if he is willing to do so. If this software is released, his computer will have no advantages." Jobs said.

"Got to try it," Woz said.

"Alright, it's night in Hong Kong. I'll make a call in the evening." Jobs nodded and said.

Three days later, a non-official Boeing 747 landed at Los Angeles International Airport, Chen Zhiwen officially arrived in the United States from Hong Kong. The area of ​​Los Angeles International Airport is large enough. As long as you have money, the plane can park here. Today Jobs came to pick up the plane in person.

Chen Zhiwen still asked Jobs to come up and have a look.

"Eric, long time no see. Your plane is really luxurious." Jobs said with a little surprise after boarding the plane.

"I made some money in the United States, but I have to pay taxes anyway, so I might as well buy something, so that I can more or less avoid taxes." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

There are so many industries in the United States, and the profits are huge. Although you can invite the most professional tax team to avoid taxes for yourself, some of them are unavoidable. Otherwise, the U.S. government is estimated to be dead poor. Pay less tax, but if you can't do it, don't pay it.

However, there are many rules in the United States that serve the super rich. For example, buying goods or fixed assets produced in the United States can avoid taxation. Therefore, in addition to airplanes and yachts, buying a large number of farms in the United States is also for this purpose. Of course, investing in farms, he himself Also very interested.

"When Apple becomes the top 10 in the United States, I will definitely buy one." Jobs sat on an airline seat and said with a smile.

"I hope this day will come true soon." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile. According to historical development, this day may take decades.

In the 1980s, among the top ten listed companies in the United States, the most famous goalkeeper was Kodak, with a market value of about 12 billion US dollars. Today, Apple’s market value is less than 4 billion. There is a big gap, but it is still developing in the direction of history. , Jobs was obsessed with developing the "most successful" personal computer in his mind, completely disregarding the bearing capacity of the real society.

To use a well-known saying, it is: half a step earlier is a fairy, and one step earlier is nothing. It cost Apple hundreds of millions of dollars to develop a new computer that is indeed good, but the cost is too high, and the price is close to 10,000 dollars. buy it? In the end, Apple fell and Jobs was driven out.

"To achieve this goal, Apple needs to further develop the personal computer market." Jobs paused and said, "Eric, I know you have also launched your own personal computer, but it is still a new brand after all, and you want to be in this market." It’s hard to make it bigger, but I found a new business opportunity, the word and Excel software in your Midea computer are very convenient for office use, why don’t you think about launching a software floppy disk for my Apple computer, how about it?”

"This is actually in my plan. However, we still need to wait. Soon Midea will launch corresponding software floppy disks according to the existing brands in the market, so as to facilitate all consumers." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said.

"Aim at all computer brands?" Jobs was stunned for a moment, and said, "Isn't that necessary? Apple has already occupied 30% of the current personal computer market. As long as Apple launches it, people who want to buy it will naturally be able to buy it."

"This is a long-planned plan, and there will be no change. Our software is for everyone, not for a certain brand of computer users. Jobs, remember that you also said that your purpose is only for Let everyone use personal computers, now that there are good software, it is more convenient for users to use computers, isn't it better?" Chen Zhiwen said with a light smile.

Binding one's own personal computer with high-quality software is indeed a business model, but the premise is that this software cannot be surpassed by others.

But in reality, this is impossible. Word and Excel are currently only the most basic versions. If others really want to make a similar one, they can do it with a little more cost. There may be some problems, but there will always be problems. Yes, besides, if the other party infringes patently and has patents to protect itself, it needs to go to court. In the United States, it will always be very troublesome to sue American technology companies. To avoid trouble or to avoid trouble.

Therefore, a lot of Midea’s software has been operated independently since its birth, not as an assistant. When no one knows the market in the early stage, you can install it on your own computer, and you can use the advantages of these software to open up the market for your computer. You can use the increase in computer sales to promote your software, killing two birds with one stone, but when it is almost the same, you have to release a large number of floppy disks with various configurations.

Only the game is special. Once the patent is registered, others cannot copy it. Besides, the current computer companies are really not proficient in game development. Therefore, for a period of time, their own computer games will become a selling point of their own computers. .

"It seems, Eric, you are interested in the software market." Jobs understood a little bit.

"Yes, in terms of hardware, it's actually just a matter of participating. Compared with Apple, it's still far inferior." Chen Zhiwen said modestly.

"That's fine, then we are not competitors. You make software, and I make hardware." Jobs was a little happy. In his eyes, Chen Zhiwen was a very capable person, and the other party was Apple's boss Shareholders have sufficient financial resources behind them, and it will definitely be very difficult to compete with such people. Now that the two tracks of hardware and software are separated, it is also a good thing for Apple.

"However, I'm also a computer brand, and it's not good to be a major shareholder of Apple. In the next one or two years, I will gradually clear my Apple stocks. Let me tell you now." Chen Zhiwen said again .

Apple’s peak moment is estimated to be within a year or two. When Jobs’ new project fails to produce a finished product due to various reasons, and brands such as IBM and HP are desperately grabbing the market, Apple’s stock price will gradually decline, and the market will no longer Be optimistic about this once myth, which is one of the main reasons why Jobs was later kicked out of Apple.

At the beginning, I invested in Apple purely for "profit". Because after Jobs left, the entire Apple stock has been sluggish for more than ten years, and even almost went bankrupt around 1997. Although it is definitely different from the past history, the trend should be Almost, even if you also make achievements in the field of personal computers, it will only have a greater impact on Apple in the future.

"You want to withdraw your shares? There's no need for that, is it? Just don't participate in Apple's board of directors?" Jobs was shocked. The withdrawal of an original major shareholder would be a great blow to any company.

"It's better to be cautious, otherwise, the US Department of Commerce will trouble me one day, and I'm afraid I won't be able to tell with ten words." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

This probability is actually not too high. After all, Chen Zhiwen will not touch some projects involving national security or major interests, but it is better not to leave any excuses. Maybe there are no major problems in the Reagan era, the Bush era, or even the Clinton era, but in the future It's hard to say, after all, a certain person was slandered and attacked the 50-year-old aunt. This is a great insult to his vision, but he really went to court.

"Well, I will inform the other shareholders. If they intend to take over, it is better not to go through the stock market or not." Jobs thought for a while and said.

"This is the best way, and I don't want to bother." Chen Zhiwen nodded. In fact, he would also release news to find a buyer. Otherwise, close to 20% of the stock would be sold slowly even in a year, and he was also one of the founders. As a result of his identity, the news will definitely cause the stock price to plummet. As a result, his losses will also be huge, and it will also affect his other investments in the United States in the future.