Reborn in 08, a heretical cultivator starting a business

Chapter 229 A stroke of genius; the boss is too outstanding, the employees are under a lot of pressure.

"The camera lens also needs to be comparable to next year's products, with a 500-megapixel rear camera and LED flash."

Wang Junshan continued, "As for the pre-requisites, what are your thoughts?"

Someone said, "Right now, most front-facing cameras are only 300,000 pixels, or even none at all. Let's go for 1.3 million pixels, and that'll be a game-changer!"

But Feng Bo shook his head: "It's meaningless."

“拍照的话，130万像素可以达到720P HD高清分辨率，比起30万像素的VGA（640*480）清晰不少。”

"However, the improvement in video calling is very limited."

"The Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 is a single-core CPU with limited bandwidth, so it can only handle VGA (640*480) video calls. Even if we use a 130-megapixel front camera, the video call will be very choppy, and it's not as smooth as a 30-pixel camera."

"We can only reduce the frequency, down to 15 frames per second!"

"But 720p video at 15 frames per second is only a slight improvement over 480p, and is even worse than 30 pixels."

"Moreover, the cost of a 130 million front-end is significantly higher, the technical difficulty is greater, and the improvement is minimal, so I don't think it's very meaningful."

Xu Lai also spoke up: "Right now, the 3G network is just starting out, with limited coverage, few base stations, and poor network speed. 720P videos are also more prone to buffering. In two years, when the 3G network is successfully built, there will be more base stations and the network speed will improve. We can consider 130 million, or even 200 million."

Wang Junshan nodded. This is a professional analysis.

30 is clearly more appropriate.

Forcing a price of 130 million is a classic case of spending a lot of money to accomplish a small task.

Just like forcing the adoption of 4K screens in two years, it's like a small horse pulling a large cart—it's practically suicidal.

Only when dual-core processors are available and support 720P video calls can we consider 130-megapixel and 200-megapixel cameras.

That will be in 2011.

Dual-core processors will not be released until the fourth quarter of next year, and mass production will not begin until the beginning of 2011.

Wang Junshan nodded: "Then let's have a 30-pixel front camera and a 500-megapixel rear camera. As for the suppliers, you can choose the best ones."

"We'll be relying on this one phone for the entire next year, so it has to perform exceptionally well," Wang Junshan said.
"As for the second generation, it will most likely be launched in the fourth quarter of next year!"

In the early days of mobile phones, resources and manpower were limited, so they could only focus on making one type of phone.

In reality, releasing one flagship model per year is sufficient.

Like the iPhone, that's how it exploded in popularity.

Brands that adopt a strategy of flooding the market with numerous models, on the other hand, have experienced limited growth.

For the future of mobile phones, the key is not how many phones are released each year, but how well a phone is made!
The future operating system will be the biggest advantage of future mobile phones.

Compared to the messy interface and barren ecosystem of Android systems next year, the future OS system of future phones will be the biggest advantage!

For the iPhone, which also boasts an excellent operating system, its biggest advantage lies in its powerful hardware design with a large screen and large battery!

Comparing system experience with Android and hardware configuration with Apple, leveraging strengths and avoiding weaknesses, is the biggest breakthrough for future mobile phones.

But if it uses the Qualcomm S1 processor, its performance is several times worse than that of the iPhone, then it's useless!

In reality, Qualcomm processors have been performing terribly in recent years, truly terrible, with their only advantage being the integrated baseband.

The Qualcomm S1 in 2008 and the Qualcomm S2 in 2010 were significantly outperformed by Texas Instruments' contemporary products, by a whole generation!

By 2011, the performance of the Qualcomm S3 had improved significantly, and it was only slightly inferior to the Texas Instruments 4430 of the same generation.

Furthermore, the strategic partnership between Android and Qualcomm has resulted in deep two-way optimization and better compatibility, making the actual experience of the Qualcomm S3 no worse than that of the Texas Instruments 4430, and even better.

Qualcomm's baseband advantage is even more obvious, completely crushing Texas Instruments, which lacks a baseband.

This led to a resounding victory, defeating Texas Instruments and accelerating its decline and exit from the market.

It can be said that Qualcomm's model of selling processors and including baseband chips gradually killed Texas Instruments.

But that's all two years from now.

In 2009, Qualcomm's S1 was still a full generation, or even two generations, behind Texas Instruments' OMAP 3430.

If future phones use the Qualcomm S1, the CPU will be slightly stronger than the iPhone 3GS, but the GPU will be two to three times weaker, causing lag when playing Angry Birds.

Conversely, if future mobile phones are equipped with Texas Instruments OMAP 3430, the CPU will be superior to Samsung's processor used in iPhones, and the GPU will be only 25% behind. Overall, the two will be evenly matched.

Especially in the video field, Texas Instruments' OMAP 3430 IVA codec can hardware decode 720P, which even the iPhone cannot do!

It is also currently the only processor capable of hardware-based 720P video recording.

Wang Junshan continued, "The most crucial part is the processor. It would be best to get Texas Instruments to agree to cooperate with us in deep optimization."

"Otherwise, the future of our mobile phones will be bleak."

Dr. Zhou, who participated in the meeting via voice, responded:

"Yes, the Qualcomm S1's performance is too poor, so we can only use the Texas Instruments OMAP 3430. Whether Texas Instruments will help us with in-depth optimization is a big question. But I think a 1000 million dollar order probably won't sway them!"

Wang Junshan sighed: "Let's try talking to them first. If that doesn't work, we'll have to escalate the situation."

"Another increase?" Feng Bo was startled. "Chairman, to be honest, whether we can even sell ten million units is a question. Increasing the stakes again would be too risky!"

Wang Junshan was very supportive of Feng Bo's caution: "Your concerns are valid, but they're not a big problem."

"Although Future Mobile is a new brand, don't forget that the support of a domestically developed operating system is its biggest asset!"

"And our Vipshop and YouTuan.com channels are also providing strong support!"

"Twelve international warehouses are under construction and will be put into use one after another by the middle of the year."

"Vipshop's logistics efficiency can achieve next-day delivery in first- and second-tier cities, two-day delivery in third- and fourth-tier cities, and three-day delivery in remote areas."

"By next year, the future logistics will be even stronger and more brilliant than it is now. Vipshop will also be even more brilliant."

"After the home appliance carnival, we will launch the digital carnival to become the number one in the digital field."

"Then the sales of mobile phones in the future will be more guaranteed."

“Annual sales of 1500 million units are possible.”

Feng Bo suddenly realized: "If that's the case, then there's not much of a problem. Vipshop's Digital Carnival is very promising; we can warm it up in advance."

Wang Junshan nodded: "Let's get started in the second half of this year. If we make Vipshop the number one electronics platform and the number one digital platform, then we won't have to worry about mobile phone sales in the future."

Zhou Ping began, "Even so, the pressure of selling 1500 million mobile phones is still immense, especially with the emergence of a more powerful new generation of processors next year."

Wang Junshan said thoughtfully, "That's easy to say. Let's make the contract more flexible."

"A contract has been signed with Texas Instruments for 1000 million Texas Instruments OMAP 3430 processors and 1000 million next-generation Texas Instruments flagship processors."

"As is customary, Texas Instruments will release its next-generation processor in the fourth quarter of this year, and mass production will begin in the second quarter of next year. We can launch an upgraded version of the first generation of our future mobile phone in the second half of next year, using the next-generation chip."

"We've formed a comprehensive alliance with Texas Instruments through a massive order for 2000 million super chips!"

"We strategically partner with Texas Instruments, enabling them to work with us to deeply adapt to future operating systems."

"Especially now, the opportunity is perfect!"

"Currently, Texas Instruments has a strategic partnership with Motorola and Nokia. Qualcomm has a strategic partnership with Android. Samsung Semiconductor has a strategic partnership with iPhone and Samsung mobile phones."

"But Motorola's market share has been declining, to the point that it has almost disappeared, and it can no longer support Texas Instruments."

"With the emergence of our future mobile phones, entering the market at this time gives us a real chance to replace Motorola and become Texas Instruments' strategic partner." "Moreover, an alliance with Texas Instruments can counter the alliance between Android and Qualcomm."

Wang Junshan laughed. He saw through everything in an instant.

Texas Instruments was a super giant in its past life, so why did it suddenly die?
It's not just a baseband issue; a big reason is also the betrayal of teammates!
The landscape of the past was very clear: Android and Qualcomm were strategically bound together, Android was deeply optimized for Qualcomm processors, and Qualcomm processors were highly adapted to the Android system.

Texas Instruments' teammates were Nokia and Motorola!
To this end, Texas Instruments also made significant optimizations to the MeeGo system developed in collaboration between Nokia and Intel!

With these two major allies, Texas Instruments can operate with peace of mind and even contend with Qualcomm with ease.

Motorola's smartphones in recent years have all used Texas Instruments processors, which have outstanding performance and have overshadowed other Qualcomm Android phones.

Nokia's smartphones in the last two years have all used Texas Instruments processors.

But the good times didn't last long!
In 2011, Google acquired Motorola, after which Motorola completely abandoned Texas Instruments and switched to Qualcomm.

Nokia is like a fickle woman. After only two years of working with Intel on the MeeGo system, it abandoned MeeGo in 2011 and switched to Microsoft's Windows Phone system.

They also abandoned Texas Instruments and switched to Qualcomm processors!

As expected, Texas Instruments lost its two major allies, Nokia and Motorola, and without its major customers, it had no choice but to abandon its mobile chip business and announce its withdrawal.

Qualcomm has triumphed through its alliance with Google's Android.

Apple abandoned Samsung chips starting with the iPhone 4 and switched to developing its own.

Samsung chips are now only used by Samsung itself and Meizu, and their popularity is gradually waning.

Nvidia, which appeared out of nowhere, didn't last long before it withdrew from the market.

Ultimately, Qualcomm triumphed by strategically partnering with Android, thus dominating the Android market.

Only Apple remains thriving, while Samsung's Exynos series gradually declines.

The turning point was Google's acquisition of Motorola, its abandonment of Texas Instruments, and its shift to Qualcomm.

Nokia's switch to Microsoft's Windows Phone system and its betrayal of Texas Instruments by switching to Qualcomm!
The betrayal of two major allies directly led to the complete demise of Texas Instruments' chips, leaving no one to use them!

This is Wang Junshan's opportunity.

They could take this opportunity to form an alliance with Texas Instruments.

Future OS + Texas Instruments, to compete with Android + Qualcomm.

This would extend Texas Instruments' lifespan by two years and also suppress the development of Qualcomm and Android.

Of course, we also need to make comprehensive plans and secretly advance the development of our own chips in the future.

Wang Junshan had a plan. In the first two years, he formed an alliance with Texas Instruments to jointly fight against Android and Qualcomm.

At the same time, we are working on developing our own chips.

The development of self-developed chips began with a collaboration with Texas Instruments to deeply optimize the future OS and future mobile phones.

This will help cultivate a talent pool for the future of chip manufacturing.

There's also baseband integration, which, although troublesome, is a significant capability.

Once mastered, it will be of great benefit to future baseband and SOC development.

As for how to form an alliance with Texas Instruments, that can only be left to Zhou Ping.

Motorola has always used Texas Instruments chips.

As a former senior executive at Motorola, Zhou Ping was very familiar with Texas Instruments.

Zhou Ping's eyes lit up: "This strategy is brilliant, it's a stroke of genius!"

"Motorola's decline is the best opportunity."

"The era of true smartphones has arrived, and the global landscape is being reshaped. Motorola's market share has plummeted, which presents an opportunity for us to take its place and form a strategic alliance with Texas Instruments."

Wang Junshan continued, "We also need to acquire all the patents. Take advantage of the financial crisis, when patents are worthless, and increase our acquisitions."

"We've acquired a large number of core patents in the communications and mobile phone sectors!"

"To prepare for future internationalization."

When making mobile phones domestically, patents can be disregarded.

But two years from now, if mobile phones want to go global and become international, they will still have to rely on patents and build a patent moat!

"Yes."

Everyone nodded in agreement, expressing their deep admiration for Wang Junshan.

Even after the meeting ended, there was much discussion:
"The chairman is amazing! He's so professional even when it comes to making phones. He's definitely a top-notch product manager!"

"Who says otherwise? I thought Chairman Wang was only a genius in the e-commerce and gaming fields, and knew nothing about the mobile phone industry."

"But today's meeting left me completely dumbfounded."

"He's far more capable than Motorola's product managers. Even if Motorola had Chairman Wang, it wouldn't have reached this level."

"The boss's vision and decision-making ability are even better than Nokia's product managers!"

"According to the boss's plan, once the phone is made, it will definitely be a game-changer."

"Yes, large screen, large battery, and powerful performance directly attack the fatal weaknesses of iPhones and Android phones. I reckon even Steve Jobs would be stunned!"

"Work hard, or even we professionals won't be as capable as Chairman Wang."

"Haha, who says otherwise?"

"Sigh, the boss is too great, it's hard to manage the employees."

Listening to the discussions of his subordinates, whether it was engineers like Feng Bo who had been poached from other companies, or engineers like Xu Lai who had been poached from Motorola, they all agreed.

The other old Dongs were complete novices; they didn't understand anything.

But Wang Junshan is different; he truly understands mobile phones and hardware!

If they don't work hard, they won't be able to catch up with Wang Junshan.

Zhou Ping was equally shocked.

Looking at the night view outside the American window, Zhou Ping sighed:

"Chairman Wang is no ordinary person. This strategic meeting alone demonstrates his foresight."

"I never expected such a brilliant strategy: strategically partnering with Texas Instruments to counter Google and Qualcomm."

The assistant was also deeply moved: "Yes, Chairman Wang, you are truly remarkable. You have turned the game around in an instant."

Zhou Ping nodded: "Originally, a super giant like Texas Instruments would never have a strategic partnership with Future OS."

"But now it seems possible!"

"With Motorola's decline, Texas Instruments must be anxious and looking for a new ally."

"Although Nokia is still around, its MeeGo system is unstable, and it's hard to say whether things will change in the future."

"In this situation, the future OS and the future phone are Texas Instruments' lifeline!"

(End of this chapter)