Cui Hao also nodded:
"Furthermore, the anti-freeze battery is from BYD, with priority supply to Xingyi Technology. Other manufacturers are all in line. We can't buy it even if we want to now!"
"This is also a big problem. The emergence of the anti-freeze battery was proposed by Wang Yi. This guy is truly extraordinary!"
Cook was suddenly startled:
"You mean, when Wang Yi proposed making anti-freeze batteries, he wasn't already thinking of using it against Apple, was he?"
Cui Hao: "!!!"
Ye Ming: "!!!"
Everyone in the room was stunned: "!!!"
The more they thought about it, the more terrifying it was!
Cui Hao's expression grew serious:
"It shouldn't be. If Wang Yi had already planned to use anti-freeze batteries to target Apple when he made them, that would be truly terrifying."
"More importantly, he wouldn't just be targeting Apple, but also Samsung, and HTC!"
"Yes, mobile phones of this era mostly freeze and shut down."
Cui Hao's eyes lit up:
"In that case, we can do public relations from this angle. Since it's hard to clear our name, let's drag our competitors down with us!"
Cook's mouth twitched:
"President Cui, do you mean to drag Samsung, LG, and HTC down with us?"
"Exactly! Let's pull Nokia's smartphones in too!"
Cui Hao said with a smile:
"In short, since none of them are anti-freeze, iPhone shouldn't be the only one getting hammered. Bring Samsung and HTC in too, not a single one less."
"Good idea! With those competitors to share Apple's pressure, users won't keep targeting Apple!"
"Yes, this idea is brilliant."
Cook decided immediately:
"Then we'll take two steps. First, we'll hire people to conduct rigged reviews, trying to see if we can clear up the issue of freezing and shutting down."
"If we can't clear our name, then we'll execute Plan B: drag our competitors down with us to share our pressure!"
"Alright, Chairman, I suggest we advance both steps simultaneously!"
Cui Hao said decisively.
"Okay, let's proceed together, and then act as the situation demands!"
"Yes!"
Xingyi Technology Park.
After Wang Yi and Song Sining had a tender moment, Song Sining was a little reluctant to leave:
"I can't delay any longer, there are many things in Jeju, I have to go back."
"Alright, I'll go back to Jeju to see you in a while!"
Wang Yi held Song Sining tightly.
Originally, Song Sining had to return to Jeju the day after the press conference ended.
But this time, Wang Yi insisted that Song Sining stay for two more days.
"Mhm."
Song Sining nodded, her gaze at Wang Yi suddenly changing.
"What's wrong?"
Wang Yi asked.
Song Sining's eyes became hazy, and she uncharacteristically became seductive:
"Nothing much, I just want to exercise a bit more!"
"I..."
Before Wang Yi could finish his sentence, he was already silenced by softness.
Perhaps it was due to the approaching separation, but today's Song Sining was proactive and seductive!
What could Wang Yi say?
He could only silently enjoy it.
In his heart, he sighed:
"Damn it, what did I miss in my previous life? Fortunately, I've made up for it in this life!"
In his previous life, he was afraid that a momentary impulse would lead to not becoming lovers, not even friends, and ultimately accomplishing nothing...
So, people shouldn't be too innocent, otherwise, they'll only miss out!
The time was right, the other person also had feelings, so he should be bold when necessary!
They carried on for a long time, and it wasn't until the afternoon that Wang Yi drove Song Sining to the station.
"By the way, Taylor Swift's agent replied. Taylor Swift is willing to endorse Zhen You, but she wants to schedule a video call with you to discuss the cooperation details."
Wang Yi nodded:
"No problem, let's do it tomorrow night."
Tomorrow night in Xia Country would be morning in the West, convenient for both parties.
Like now, it was daytime for Wang Yi, no problem, but it was still the middle of the night for Taylor Swift...
This kind of endorsement contract is worth tens of millions of RMB a year, and if signed for several more years, it would be hundreds of millions.
It's a major project, so Wang Yi has to negotiate it personally.
Most importantly, Wang Yi wanted to sign a long-term contract!
In fact, many such international endorsements are long-term contracts, for example, Nike signed a five-year deal with Kobe, and some even signed for ten years!
For a superstar diva with such a bright future like Taylor Swift, not signing a ten-year contract now would be a disservice to his reincarnation!
After seeing off Song Sining, Wu Shuang drove Wang Yi back to Xingyi Technology Park.
Not long after, Jian Ziyan came over:
"Chairman, there are now some tests online claiming that the iPhone 4s doesn't freeze and shut down, even in winter, and some people have recorded videos personally testing it. Take a look!"
Wang Yi took the Xingyi Pad and started watching.
The Xingyi Pad was about to be released, and Wang Yi, Jian Ziyan, and other executives were already using it, also as a form of testing.
After watching the video, Wang Yi smiled:
"These iPhone 4s have been tampered with to keep the body temperature high, so they didn't freeze and shut down. Clearly, these videos are Apple's attempts to clear its name, but unfortunately, they are too clumsy."
"Yes, the issue of the iPhone 4s shutting down when cold has existed for a long time, it's not new now. Apple's shoddy attempt to clear its name will have little effect. Shall we start the second wave?"
"Let's start!"
Wang Yi said with a smile.
"Yes!"
Jian Ziyan quickly sprang into action.
At present, smartphones were still in a relatively backward stage.
With the product power of the xphone 1, there were almost no rivals except for the iPhone 4s.
As long as the iPhone 4s was defeated, the xphone 1 would definitely sell like hotcakes!
As for HTC's new quad-core phone, that would be in April, and the xphone 1 Pro would naturally suppress it.
Soon, another video review rushed onto the hot search: [Will the iPhone 4s really freeze and shut down? Live test in the North, 7 PM!]
This news quickly caused a huge stir:
"This test came at a good time. I'm curious if the iPhone 4s really freezes and shuts down."
"One group says 333 shuts down when cold, another says competitors are slandering, and the iPhone 4s is very anti-freeze... No one knows who to believe anymore. Now it's good, a live broadcast."
"Half an hour left until the live broadcast begins. This kind of personal live broadcast is the most convincing."
"Yes, if it doesn't freeze and shut down, then the iPhone 4s is still worth buying. If it does freeze and shut down, then the iPhone 4s is ruined, completely ruined."
"No need to test, it will definitely freeze and shut down. I have an iPhone 4, I've experienced it myself."
"That's not accurate. The iPhone 4s must have been upgraded, after all, it's Mr. Jobs' last masterpiece."
"Even a masterpiece is useless. Aren't there enough problems with the iPhone 4s?"
"Aside from being more expensive than the xphone 1, the iPhone 4s can't compare in anything else."
...
Watching this hot search, everyone at Apple was numb:
"F*ck! Live broadcast testing, this is going to hammer Apple to death!"
"Sigh, we barely managed to clear the iPhone 4s of shutting down when cold using rigged methods, and now, with live broadcast testing, there's no way to cheat."
"The number of followers has exceeded a million, this impact is too great."
"Can we do PR? Get that person to cancel the test?"
"It's useless. The other party is so persistent; they must be people arranged by Xingyi Technology. Our money won't work."
"What should we do then?"
"More trouble has arrived. Now several other bloggers have popped up, copying the idea, and also want to do live tests!"
"F*ck, everyone's rushing to grab this wave of popularity!"
"The situation is not good, more and more bloggers are joining the live tests, truly a bad situation."
...
Listening to everyone's words, Cook sighed:
"There's nothing we can do, prepare for Plan B!"
"Yes, that's all we can do."
At 7 PM, the live broadcast officially began.
The blogger Fusheng Qingmeng appeared in front of the camera:
"Hello everyone, I'm digital enthusiast Fusheng Qingmeng. Recently, news about whether the iPhone 4s quickly loses power or even freezes and shuts down when exposed to cold has been causing a stir and attracting a lot of attention."
"As an old Apple fan, I've used the iPhone 4 and also bought the latest iPhone 4s. Today, I'll use these two devices to conduct a live test for everyone."
"First, let me introduce my current environment."
"I'm in Jinmen. The indoor heating is on, it's 27 degrees Celsius, very warm. Both of these phones are fully charged."
As he spoke, Fusheng Qingmeng showed both phones to the camera:
"Battery levels are both 100%."
Next, Fusheng Qingmeng took out a thermometer and showed it to everyone:
"This is a thermometer, the indoor temperature is 27.3 degrees Celsius."
"Alright, now let's go out onto the street and experience it."
"It's a bit cold in Jinmen today. The temperature at 7 PM is probably around minus eight or nine degrees Celsius."
As he spoke, Fusheng Qingmeng placed the thermometer on a roadside seat:
"Next, I'll place both iPhones on the roadside seat as well, and use the xphone 1 in my hand to live stream!"
"In this way, it can be considered three phones competing on the same stage, to see which one gives out first."
"Of course, for fairness, while the xphone 1 is live-streaming, both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s will also run a game to ensure the phones generate heat. This way it's more fair."
"Alright, let's start the test."
"Currently, all three phones are in good condition and running."
"The temperature shown on the thermometer is already minus 9.5 degrees Celsius."
Three minutes later:
"Three minutes have passed, and there's a situation. Both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s are losing power very quickly. Much faster than during normal daily use."
"Although the xphone 1 is live-streaming, everything is currently normal."
"Oh my! The iPhone 4 has shut down, it was the first to freeze and shut down."
"Let's check the time, four minutes and thirty-two seconds, minus 9.6 degrees Celsius, the iPhone 4 froze and shut down."
"The iPhone 4s next to it is still holding on, but its battery is draining rapidly, probably won't last much longer."
"Sure enough, the iPhone 4s also froze and shut down!"
"In an environment of minus 9.6 degrees Celsius, the iPhone 4s lasted five minutes and forty-seven seconds before freezing and shutting down!"
"Let's continue to watch the xphone 1, still live-streaming as usual, everything is normal."
"Even the battery level is still at 97%, not much change."
"The result is very clear. All three phones went from an indoor environment with heating at 27 degrees Celsius to an outdoor environment of over minus nine degrees, same location, same conditions, but the results were completely different."
"Both the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s froze and shut down, while the xphone 1 continued to run smoothly."
"Sigh! Actually, Jinmen isn't even that cold, but the iPhone 4s, as a new phone costing over five thousand, couldn't withstand it. It's truly disappointing."
"As for some bloggers online saying that the iPhone 4s doesn't freeze and shut down even at minus ten degrees Celsius, that's pure nonsense. Everyone now knows what truly happened."
"Alright, let's continue the live broadcast. The temperature will drop further tonight and will soon break past minus ten degrees Celsius."
"Let's all see how long the xphone 1 can last before it freezes and shuts down!"
The bullet comments became lively:
"This is the most conscientious and fair review. The iPhone 4s really isn't good enough, it has to be the xphone 1."
"As an old Apple fan, I completely agree with the test results. It's not the first or second time it has frozen and shut down."
"Exactly. iPhones quickly lose power and freeze and shut down when cold, old users all know this."
"Listen to advice and you'll eat well. If you don't go North, you can consider the iPhone 4s. But if you plan to go North, blindly go for the xphone 1!"
"So that's how it is, the iPhone 4s really isn't good. But what about those previous bloggers who tested the iPhone 4s and said it wouldn't freeze and shut down in the North?"
"What else could it be? Naturally, it was Apple hiring KOLs for reviews!"
"Damn it, Apple is truly shameless, I almost fell for it!"
"Apple is trash, I'm going to buy an xphone 1 now."
...
For a time, many netizens abandoned the idea of buying an iPhone 4s and switched to buying an xphone 1, causing the xphone 1's sales to surge.
This made Cook very angry, but he was helpless and could only activate Plan B.
HTC Headquarters.
Manager Wang watched this scene with great joy:
"Xingyi Technology is truly amazing, they've made Apple suffer terribly, sales plummeting, hahahaha! Chairman Wang did a splendid job!"
The Vice President was all smiles:
"Yes, I really didn't expect the xphone 1 to sell so well, especially with the anti-freeze battery issue, it has truly ground the iPhone 4s into the dirt. At least in the Xia Country market, and even globally, the iPhone 4s is having a tough time."
Manager Wang was overjoyed:
"When Apple has a hard time, we have an easy time. I hope Chairman Wang continues his efforts to cripple Apple, which would also help clear obstacles for our HTC's new quad-core flagship."
"Chairman is wise. Once Wang Yi cripples Apple, our HTC quad-core flagship can take over the vacant high-end market. We still have to thank Wang Yi!"
"Exactly, that's the logic. HTC's dual-core flagship can't beat the xphone 1, but the quad-core will be fine. As for Xingyi Technology's quad-core, it shouldn't be released so quickly."
Manager Wang smiled slightly:
"What's most anticipated now is Wang Yi relentlessly taking on Apple and crippling it. If this incident blows up, not only Apple's domestic market but also its global market will see a drop in sales. Once Apple's sales drop, our HTC can quickly enter the vacant market! Keep it up, Chairman Wang! The harder you hit Apple, the more severe Apple's losses will be, and the more we at HTC will benefit."
For a time, Manager Wang saw a great future for HTC!
However, just then, the secretary rushed in frantically:
"Chairman, it's not good, news about our HTC freezing and shutting down is also on the hot search!"
"What!"
The smile on Manager Wang's face froze, and he felt terrible: "..."
"What's going on? Quick, let me see!"
Manager Wang snatched the phone, his expression turning extremely ugly:
[Multiple HTC flagship phones experienced freezing and shutting down in environments around minus ten degrees Celsius.]
[HTC, like Apple, freezes and shuts down when cold.]
[Apple was wronged, it turns out freezing and shutting down is a common problem for phones! An industry issue!]
Not just reports, but also many live broadcasts and test videos, all simultaneously went viral online.
...
"Damn it!"
Wang Xuehong was furious and cursed:
"So many videos of HTC phones freezing and shutting down suddenly appeared, going viral across the entire internet. I don't believe it wasn't intentional, or that there wasn't a mastermind behind it!"
"Just thinking with your nose, you'd know Apple failed to clear its name and decided to drag HTC down with it!"
"How shameless!"
"I was originally thinking that with Apple's overseas sales plummeting, HTC could seize the opportunity to grab a share. But now, HTC has also been dragged down, and our sales will also plummet!"
"Apple's tactics are really something. If they're having a bad time, they won't let us have a good time either!"
"Alright, alright, this time I've made a note of it!"
"But how can HTC be the only one getting hammered? Drag Samsung down too!"
"Yes, Chairman, I'll arrange it right away!"
Samsung Headquarters.
Shen Wanjun, CEO of Mobile Business, was in a great mood watching the online public opinion:
"First, the iPhone 4s was on the hot search due to freezing and shutting down issues, and Apple's sales plummeted. Now, HTC's freezing and shutting down issue is also on the hot search, and HTC's sales will also plummet!"
"Hahahaha, excellent."
"Suddenly, two major competitors have crippled themselves. Now it'll be hard for our Samsung flagship phones not to sell like hotcakes!"
"Hahahaha!"
Shen Wanjun's eyes crinkled in a smile:
"As for Xingyi Technology, although their xphone 1 is practically invincible, unfortunately, it can only be sold in Xia Country. They don't have enough patents to go overseas, so its impact on Samsung is limited."
"This time, both Apple and HTC have fallen. Samsung deserves to have a big boom!"
"Hahahaha!"
However, as Shen Wanjun was laughing, a subordinate rushed in:
"Chairman, the news about our Samsung flagship freezing and shutting down is also on the hot search!"
"..."
Shen Wanjun's mouth twitched, and the smile on his face froze.
"Siba!"
"Who did this? Apple or HTC?"
"Damn it, it must be these two scoundrels!"
"If they're having a bad time, they won't let us Samsung have a good time either!"
"But if Samsung is having a bad time, how can LG have a good time? Drag them all down with us!"
"Yes!"
Soon, news about LG's new flagship freezing and shutting down when cold also hit the hot search.
LG authorities were furious and decisively dragged Nokia down as well.
Nokia wasn't ambiguous either.
"I've already given up my big brother position, and you're still targeting me? How can that be?"
They dragged Sony down too!
Sony wasn't ambiguous, with a counter-move, even Blackberry, who was just watching the show, was dragged down...
For a time, the entire phone industry became very interesting.
All famous mobile phones followed in the footsteps of Apple, HTC, and Samsung, all making it to the hot search due to freezing and shutting down when cold.
Not just domestic hot searches, but also overseas hot searches.
Global hot searches were dominated by news of phones freezing and shutting down!
Public opinion became very interesting:
"So freezing and shutting down is a common industry problem, truly incredible."
"Apple, Samsung, HTC, Sony, Blackberry, Nokia, etc., all freeze and shut down when cold. This is an industry-wide problem."
"Don't talk nonsense, Xingyi Technology's xphone 1 is fine; it's like a walk in the park even at minus fifteen degrees Celsius."
"Right, the Xingyi xphone 1 is truly awesome, the only anti-freeze phone."
"Indeed, the xphone 1 is still the one worth buying!"
"By the way, why can the xphone 1 be anti-freeze?"
"The reason is simple: the xphone 1 is equipped with BYD's anti-freeze battery, which can withstand minus fifteen degrees Celsius!"
"Does that mean that other brands' phones, if they want to stop freezing and shutting down when cold, will also have to be equipped with BYD's anti-freeze battery?"
"That's for sure. Currently, only BYD batteries can be anti-freeze."
"Then BYD's stock must soar!"
"Holy crap, BYD is awesome, I'm going to buy BYD stock right now!"
"Exactly, why didn't I think of that? Buy it at market open!"
"With this wave of positive news, BYD's stock is going to skyrocket!"
"Furthermore, the xphone 1 is also manufactured by BYD. With xphone 1 sales surging, BYD is also making huge profits, a double benefit!"
"Buy the Xingyi xphone 1, bottom fish BYD!"
Other brands of phones all froze and shut down, only the xphone 1 was fine.
Without any surprise, xphone 1 sales soared rapidly once again.
In just one day, sales exceeded one million again!
At this rate, xphone 1's sales for this month are headed towards five million!
And the next day, as soon as the Hong Kong stock market opened, BYD's stock price began to skyrocket!
From 27.6 Hong Kong dollars, it quickly rose to thirty Hong Kong dollars, then 31, 32, 35, 37...
Rapid progress, as if there was no upper limit!
Everyone around the world knew that BYD's anti-freeze batteries could prevent freezing, and knew that other phone brands, if they wanted to avoid freezing and shutting down, would all have to use BYD's anti-freeze batteries.
As a result, BYD's stock price soared wildly, and its market value doubled again!
This made Manager Wang extremely excited, and he quickly dialed Wang Yi's number:
"Chairman Wang, I am truly grateful to you, so very grateful!"
"BYD's stock price rising from 10 Hong Kong dollars to 15 Hong Kong dollars was because of your generous investment. Rising to 25 Hong Kong dollars was also due to manufacturing the xphone 1 and the multi-million order for anti-freeze batteries you placed. Now, rising to nearly 40 is still due to the hot sales of the xphone 1 and the anti-freeze batteries. Thank you!"
"Thank you so much!"
"You've made BYD's stock price quadruple!"
Manager Wang was so excited he could barely speak.
He never imagined that making anti-freeze batteries back then would lead to such a bright future today.
Initially, Wang Yi proposed the need for anti-freeze batteries, and Xingyi Technology would place a five-million-unit order with whoever could control costs, break through the technology, and achieve mass production!
At that time, BYD, like other battery brands, didn't think much further; they were just aiming for the five-million-unit order.
As a result, other battery manufacturers either worried about costs, or didn't believe in Xingyi Technology's strength, or were unwilling to invest in R&D for fear of wasting money...
For various reasons, all of them gave up halfway, or their products failed to meet standards.
Ultimately, only BYD persevered and successfully achieved mass production with low costs.
Who would have thought that today, because of the anti-freeze battery, BYD's market value would appreciate to four times its original value!
It can only be described as terrifying, truly terrifying.
Wang Yi smiled faintly:
"Opportunity always comes to those who are prepared. Among so many companies back then, only BYD persevered to the end. BYD deserves its success, and other competitors deserve to be green with regret."
"Hahahaha, Chairman Wang is right. I bet those old fellows are probably too worried to sleep these days!"
Manager Wang was in a great mood.
How could he not be in a good mood?
Currently, in the entire anti-freeze battery market, BYD holds a monopoly, or rather, is the sole player.
Other brands also have the ability to produce anti-freeze batteries, but it's difficult to control the cost and bring it down to not much higher than ordinary batteries.
Few can achieve that.
Even a few giants would need time for research and development.
And within this period, it's all BYD's market.
"Chairman Wang, I need to discuss something with you. We plan to expand the production of anti-freeze batteries, still prioritizing supply to Xingyi Technology, but for other brands later..."
Wang Yi understood Manager Wang's meaning:
"No problem, just prioritize supplying Xingyi Technology. As for other brands, cooperate however you see fit. Even Apple, you can cooperate with them later."
Wang Yi wouldn't domineeringly control BYD and make them reject orders from other brands.
Furthermore, all of BYD's current anti-freeze battery orders have been taken by Wang Yi.
Other brands that want them would have to queue, for several months.
Even for Apple, it would essentially be for the next-generation iPhone 5!
(End of chapter)