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Chapter 552 The Impact of IP

"I really don't understand why this thing is so popular." NBC reporter Edgar White muttered to himself as he watched a video camera outside the bustling crowd at the iTech flagship store in Times Square, New York.

A cold wind swept across the city street corner. He wrapped his trench coat tighter around himself, his gaze sweeping over the long, winding queue in front of him, a hint of undisguised confusion in his eyes.

New York is currently experiencing another cold wave since the start of winter, with nighttime temperatures already dropping below zero.

The biting wind felt like an invisible blade scraping across my cheeks, bringing a stinging sensation.

Even such terrible weather did not dampen consumers' enthusiasm in the slightest.

Outside the AiTech store, a crowd of people wearing down jackets had already circled the queue three times, their breath quickly condensing into white mist in the cold air.

Such a large crowd in New York at 9 pm is truly rare.

Like a pilgrimage, no one cared about the environment; everyone's eyes were fixed on the huge promotional poster in the store window, their eyes filled with an almost obsessive expectation.

On the poster, a row of iPhone 2s in different colors are neatly arranged, but the most obvious and eye-catching one is the blue device.

Since Steve Jobs' triumphant return with the iMac, blue has become synonymous with technology.

Is AI Technology high-tech? Everyone would nod in agreement.

Therefore, blue is the perfect match for IP, and is regarded as the perfect fusion of technology and aesthetics, which is believed by the vast majority of consumers.

On the black market, a top-of-the-line IP device costs an extra $150, and the price continues to rise.

For blue IP addresses, if the markup is less than $200, scalpers won't even give you a second glance.

"It's unbelievable that the top-of-the-line iPhone 2 sold out completely in partner stores across major cities in the United States in just three days." Edgar turned around, and the camera focused on a young consumer who had just come out of the store, clutching a blue iPhone 2 tightly in his hand, his expression full of excitement.

"The number of devices that AiTech is currently allocating to its various partner channels every day is simply insufficient to meet the enormous demand from consumers. Even on flash sale platforms, you now need to make a reservation in advance to purchase the top-of-the-line version."

"And across the United States, the only one that can still maintain 24/7 supply is iTech's self-operated flagship store."

"I don't know whether New Yorkers should be happy or angry. As one of only ten cities in the United States with iTech's own stores, New Yorkers have a way to buy the top-of-the-line IP."

"And it's open 24 hours a day, with plenty of stock."

Edgar suddenly chuckled. "This is probably the safest store in all of America, isn't it?"

A 24-hour store is something that's hard to imagine in America.

But he knew that no one dared to mess with AiTech. AiTech had already declared that if their stores were damaged, they would not only cease 24-hour operation, but would also prohibit individuals with criminal records from purchasing their products.

As for how to tell, it's simply a matter of whether someone believes you have a criminal record.

In other words, if they don't want to sell to you, they simply won't.

All the gangs that own AIT stores are protesting, feeling that AIT is discriminating against them.

However, the unavoidable reality is that all the gangs have made it clear that anyone who dares to cause trouble at AiTech's stores is going against these gangs and cutting off their source of income.

So let alone people with ulterior motives, even petty thieves wouldn't dare cause trouble in this area.

Didn't you see gangsters patrolling late at night?

In the words of New York City residents, they make you feel safer than the New York police.

Edgar found this ridiculous. When did helping people protect their property and safety turn them into gangsters?

Turning back to the camera, she rubbed her frostbitten nose and continued, "But do you know what? The AI ​​Technology self-operated stores that other cities envy are making us suffer like this in the cold wind. I heard that some people have been queuing for up to 8 hours to successfully buy an IP."

"Ahem." The photographer coughed, reminding him to watch his words.

Before Edgar could even speak, a young man wearing a baseball cap suddenly shouted into the camera, "That's right! We should boycott IPs! If nobody buys them, let's see how arrogant AI Technology can be!" Before Edgar could react, another man in line next to him sneered, "Don't copy those West Coast bastards, that kind of trick is outdated."

A small butterfly effect in Los Angeles spread throughout America in a single day, with people in various cities calling for a boycott of AI Technology, hoping to incite anger and try to profit from the situation.

However, this situation disappeared in just one day.

Because everyone who shouts will eventually get a good beating.

Police stations across the country are speechless. The gangs have been behaving themselves lately and have had a rare moment of peace, and you guys just pop out and start causing trouble for no reason.

The calls to boycott AI Technology were just a minor incident, Edgar continued his report.

After all the work was done and the location shooting was over, the cameraman put the video equipment in his car, only to see Edgar take a heavy coat out of his car and put it on.

"What are you doing?" There's heating in the car, and you're not only not taking off your clothes, but you're also putting on an extra layer. Are you crazy?

Edgar, with a pained expression, pointed to the seemingly endless queue. "I need to join the queue."

"No way?" The photographer was startled and subconsciously glanced at his watch; it was almost 10 p.m.

"Now?"

"Wouldn't it be better to buy it in a few days? I heard that AI Technology is actively working to solve the production capacity problem." This is why Edgar had a bitter face, mentally complaining about AI Technology: "Either you solve it sooner, so I don't have to queue up late at night. Or you can solve it later, so there's no point in me queuing up."

"The more proactive you are in solving this problem, the less motivated I am to wait in line."

But there was nothing he could do. He said helplessly, "Luther's birthday is in two days, and he hopes to have the latest model of an IP."

The cameraman knew that Luther was Edgar's eldest son.

"But it's so cold at night." He glanced at the long queue and advised, "You won't get to the front of the line for at least two or three hours. You might as well take a day off tomorrow and come queue up."

Edgar rolled his eyes. "Forget it, I'd rather freeze for a few hours tonight."

"Didn't you hear someone say that the longest queue during the day was over eight hours? I don't want to waste my rest time on this." After saying that, he walked to the end of the queue.

Within two minutes, the photographer arrived behind him.

"Why are you here too?" Edgar asked, somewhat surprised.

The other person shrugged. "Consider it keeping you company, and besides, this is also a contribution to my stock market."

Edgar listened, and a look of envy appeared on his face.

He knew that the other party had bought $10,000 worth of Broadcom stock a few months ago. It was already a newly listed stock, and with the recent surge in IP-related stocks, its price had skyrocketed.

As a supplier of video decoders for AI Technology, the company has already seen three consecutive days of limit-up trading.

The release of the iPhone 2 had a wide-ranging impact, causing an industry upheaval that swept across the global supply chain.

Not to mention Aike Technology's supply chain, its stock price changes every day. Samsung Electronics and Broadcom have seen the most dramatic increases, both having hit three consecutive daily limit-up moves.

Suppliers like Philips are in a similar situation; their stocks are all soaring.

The secondary suppliers affected by these events are practically praying to Buddha every day, hoping that AIT can continue selling like this.

The headquarters of iTech has been bustling with activity these past few days.

Because iTech CEO Tim Cook has clearly stated that he wants to expand iTech's supply chain system.

Despite the fact that various supply chains immediately ramped up their production capacity to prioritize AIO Technology's needs, the shortage of AIO Technology's products could not be resolved in a timely manner.

Therefore, Cook wants to expand the supply chain system to the point where iTech can produce 500,000 IPs a day if it wants to.

The news sent related manufacturers around the world into a frenzy.

What is a thigh? This is a thigh.

All the manufacturers capable of producing the components needed by AiTech were eager to join forces.

Representatives from these manufacturers have almost filled AxonTech's headquarters, and many company executives have even flown to AxonTech's headquarters to visit Cook.

Not only are the manufacturers who want to enter the supply chain anxious, but those who have already entered AiTech's supply chain are also anxious and have sent representatives to come, for fear of being replaced.

Ostensibly, it was to report on the current progress of capacity expansion, but secretly it was to consolidate the cooperative relationship.

Of all the manufacturers, only two are truly in the safest position.

One is GenTek, whose hard drives are unique and can be considered the core of an IP.

Although Hitachi has also developed a 1.8-inch hard drive, ZenTek's product is a generation ahead of its competitor in key indicators such as stability, storage capacity and power consumption control, so there is no need to worry about being replaced.

Another company is BYD, which has become famous throughout China by exclusively supplying batteries to AI Technology, and has even been featured on CCTV news several times.

The government truly treats BYD like its own son, providing it with money, land, and favorable policies.

Local buyers want to purchase goods?

Give me a three-month waitlist first. You say you're a state-owned enterprise?

What's so trivial about you? Even the world's largest companies abroad have to line up obediently for me.

One is AiTech, and the other is Motorola with an additional order.

By securing orders from these two mega-factories, BYD has become so successful that it makes all the factories in China drool with envy.

Many people only mention Wang Chuanfu in two words.

envious.

Look at how well he does business. Big manufacturers from Europe and Japan come to his door, and they all have to line up for him. They have to be subservient to him if they want his goods.

Other manufacturers have to beg and plead to participate in the Canton Fair, practically crawling on the ground to earn foreign exchange.

You're something else; the government is trying to coax you into attending the Canton Fair, and you still don't want to go.

In BYD's words, "My orders are booked up for a year in advance, and we simply can't keep up with the production."

What am I going to do at the Canton Fair? I don't have anything to sell.

Reputation? Do I need that now?

Everyone knows I'm a supplier for AIoT and Motorola, and Motorola is considering putting half of its battery orders with BYD.

Expanding production?

My second phase of the project had just started when the government asked me to build the third phase.

I just got the land and loan for Phase 3, and now they're making me work on Phase 4.

These four phases are really something else. They haven't even finished planning yet, and they've already asked me to expand them.

Since Nokia came to inspect the facilities, it's highly likely that BYD will become Nokia's battery supplier.

Unfortunately, there are many manufacturers that can provide lithium batteries, but there is only one manufacturer in the world that can provide lithium batteries with the most advanced technology at a price that is less than half that of the industry average.

In a sense, this can be considered a monopoly business.