Reborn since 1993

Chapter 1324 The time is not right, and my steed will not go; my steed will not go, what can I do?

After the release of the first-generation Flying Goose MP3 player, Apple and Steve Jobs actually took notice of the MP3 industry.

Back then, Tony Fadell lamented to Steve Jobs that the Flying Goose MP3 player was his dream machine, and asserted that it would replace the Sony Walkman.

At that time, however, all of Apple's attention, resources, funding, and energy were focused on the Apple iMac all-in-one computer.

The iMC all-in-one PC project was Jobs' first project after returning to Apple, and it was also a project that concerned the life and death of Apple.

If the iMac project failed, there would be no Apple anymore. So even though he was optimistic about the MP3 industry, Steve Jobs had to put it aside for the time being. Only after the iMac project was completed did he officially launch the MP3 project, which was named iPod.

What Steve Jobs didn't expect was that Apple had already completed the development of the iPod player in terms of appearance and design, but was stuck on two aspects.

When Apple released the iMac all-in-one, it was the same product as Hasee, with both companies launching it at the same time. Afterwards, Steve Jobs investigated the entire iMac team and found no internal culprit.

Regarding the issue of wearing the same clothes, although there were doubts, Steve Jobs did not find any evidence. Moreover, after disassembling the devices, Apple and Hasee's all-in-one computers differed in design philosophy and technology, clearly indicating that they were not following the same path.

Although it was frustrating, there was nothing Steve Jobs could do. The global all-in-one computer market was basically divided between Hasee and Apple.

Apple has an advantage in the American and North American all-in-one PC market, while Hasee dominates the Asian and traditional European all-in-one PC market, but is at a disadvantage in North America.

However, in terms of sales, Hasee still surpasses Apple and is the world's leading all-in-one computer manufacturer.

When it came to MP3s, Sheng Qiao, the leader, disdained to parrot others and was accused of following in Fei Yan's footsteps.

Therefore, Steve Jobs had very strict requirements for the design of the Apple iPod. He wanted a player that surpassed the Feiyan MP3 player and wanted to make a high-end MP3 player.

However, there were two things that troubled Steve Jobs about the iPod. The first was his requirement for a large-capacity micro hard drive. Apple was not an expert in the hard drive industry and did not have its own hard drive technology, so it could only turn to other hard drive companies for help.

While Toshiba, which collaborates with Apple, has yet to develop a large-capacity micro hard drive for Apple, the Flying Goose 2 has already implemented a large hard drive, completely outpacing Apple's iPod.

This was Steve Jobs' expectation for the iPod, but unexpectedly, Feiyan MP3 made it a reality first. However, this is not good news for Apple.

The second problem that plagued the iPod was that Steve Jobs wanted to create a companion feature for the iPod player, similar to Himalaya FM, allowing users who bought Apple iPods to download paid, legal music from Apple's iTunes music website.

What Himalaya Music failed to achieve, Steve Jobs is preparing to accomplish. What he wants to do is the same as what Himalaya Music is currently doing: acquire music copyright libraries from record companies.

However, progress on Apple's iTunes side has been slow. After all, Feiyan Technology at least has MP3 sales as leverage, clearly telling record companies how many potential users of legal music it has.

But for Apple, the iPod hadn't even been released yet. How easy was it for Steve Jobs to get the copyright library from the record giants without even asking?

Apple today is just an old PC manufacturer that has just escaped bankruptcy. Its market value is less than a third of Feiyan Technology's. Feiyan Technology has used all sorts of means to get the copyright library from the record giant.

Steve Jobs' idea of ​​using his so-called reality distortion ability to make the record company giants bow down is utter nonsense!

The two major challenges facing the launch of the iPod have been addressed by Feiyan Technology, and the other is being addressed.

Steve Jobs knew that if Himalaya Music gained control of the record copyright library, then the iTunes Music Store would be completely irrelevant.

At this point, Steve Jobs also knew that he could no longer wait. He didn't know when the two problems with the iPod would be solved, but he had to release it as soon as possible, otherwise the MP3 industry would really be dominated by Steve Jobs!

Launching an iPod player at this time might put them at a disadvantage against Feiyan Technology, and they might even end up in second place in the industry. But being second in the industry is better than not being able to make a living from MP3s at all.

Steve Jobs really felt that if the iPod waited any longer, it would be left far behind by the Feiyan MP3 player.

"This month, we need to finalize the iPod model, begin trial production, and hold a product launch!"

Jobs addressed the group of Apple executives flanking him.

Upon hearing this, Tony Fadell, the chief designer of the iPod, was the first to object. He knew that Steve Jobs was always a perfectionist, and the release of the iPod this time seemed somewhat rushed.

"However, the large memory hard drive of the iPod and the copyright library of the iTunes Music Store have not yet been resolved."

The iPod released at that time was not a perfect MP3 player!

Upon hearing Tony Fadell's concerns, Steve Jobs knew he was right, but there simply wasn't enough time left for the iPod.

"Time is running out for the iPod!"

When Steve Jobs looked at the news related to Feiyan MP3, he could only sigh helplessly.

"The iPod can only be perfected in the future. Right now, the most important thing is to launch the iPod and grab enough market share!" "Only by gaining market share and keeping the iPod alive can we have a chance to become the industry leader!"

Jobs addressed a group of executives, saying that he wanted Apple to be number one in the industry, but now it was clearly impossible, at least in the short term.

Therefore, Steve Jobs changed his strategy, allowing Apple to enter the MP3 market first and become one of the high-end MP3 brands.

If we had to wait until Toshiba developed a high-capacity micro hard drive and the iTunes Music Store acquired the music copyrights from record companies before releasing the iPod, by then, Steve Jobs would probably be out of luck!

Upon hearing Steve Jobs' decision, Apple executives, including Tony Fadell, had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

But unbeknownst to many, Dongling Hi-Tech, along with its subsidiaries such as Shenzhou and Feiyan, is becoming a competitor to Apple.

Previously, Apple targeted and competed with system and computer brands such as Microsoft, Dell, HP, and Compaq.

Since Steve Jobs returned to Apple and launched the first iMac all-in-one computer after his return, Dongling Hi-Tech has been rapidly replacing its competitors and becoming Apple's number one rival!
Although Apple was not as strong as its competitors such as Microsoft, Compaq, and Dell, Jobs was not worried.

Having dealt with these rivals for so many years, Jobs had figured out their tactics, so directly eliminating them was somewhat unrealistic.

But Jobs believed that given time, Apple had a chance to beat them.

But facing Dongling High-Tech, Steve Jobs was uncertain. This was an opponent Apple had never truly faced before, and since their first encounter, Dongling High-Tech had been one step ahead of Apple in every aspect, even suppressing Jobs.

This feeling of always being one step ahead of the other side at crucial moments is just too frustrating!

After finalizing the strategy for the iPod, Steve Jobs waved for everyone to leave.

Then, standing by the office window and gazing into the distance to the east, Steve Jobs had a premonition that Apple would have more than just these two opportunities to clash with Dongling High-Tech in the future!

Dongling Hi-Tech is replacing Apple's previous competitors and becoming Apple's most important rival.

However, even Steve Jobs wasn't entirely sure whether it would be a win or a loss. The pressure from Dongling High-Tech and Li Dashanren was constantly increasing for Apple!

The key is Dongling Hi-Tech's product style, which is quite similar to Apple's. They don't play those old tricks, but focus on innovation and creativity. Or some products and technologies that were originally ordinary have been given new life in Dongling Hi-Tech's hands!
These were originally Apple's forte, but now... they've become Dongling High-Tech's signature skills. How could this not give Steve Jobs a headache?
Feeling somewhat unstable, Steve Jobs decided to perform another round of the secret technique of Quaia Meditation to calm himself down.

As for how magical this meditation was, only Steve Jobs himself knew.

……

"Welcome to Ames, Warner Music has taken a historic step!"

In New York, less than three kilometers from the Time Warner Center, where Warner Music's global headquarters are located, a "secret negotiation" began in a hotel conference room.

Although it was called a secret negotiation, the negotiations had actually been widely rumored for some time. It was common knowledge that Warner Music couldn't hold on any longer, and if they didn't find a way out, they might go bankrupt.

However, Warner Music's artists and producers have differing opinions on its desire to collaborate with internet music companies. Many singers worry that Warner Music's collaboration with internet music companies will harm their interests.

In the past, even though the number of records sold could be manipulated, at least they could see how many records were sold. But in the era of internet music, they've become strings of numbers, which makes them really unsure.

Internal unrest has led to Warner Music having virtually no secrets left.

But Warner Music had to show that this was a secret negotiation and couldn't be made public, which led to today's situation.

Looking at the spirited Tang Jun, Roger Ames had a complicated expression. "I hope I won't become a sinner in the record industry!"

Tang Jun shook his head and smiled as he said to Roger Ames and the Warner Music executives behind him, "Before this negotiation, I spoke on the phone with President Li, the founder of the parent company of Himalaya Music Platform!"

"What Himalaya Music wants to do is not to destroy the entire record industry."

On the contrary, Himalaya Music hopes to work with the record industry and the global music industry to establish a new industry order, to solve the damage caused by music piracy to the record industry, and to ensure the continuation of the music industry!

Tang Jun spoke eloquently to Roger Ames, explaining that these philanthropists had already been instructed by Li Dashan.

Coupled with Tang Jun's eloquence, his performance at this moment was naturally fluent and his aura completely overwhelmed the Warner Music group.

Roger Ames was momentarily stunned, and a thought involuntarily arose in his mind: Could this be the demeanor of the head of an internet giant?

(End of this chapter)