The End of Technology

"I heard a saying that Weiwei plans to redefine the future of smartphones and plans to launch a robot-style phone?"

After a brief exchange of greetings, Tim Cook asked casually in the cold wind of early winter in Beijing.

Ge Dongshu turned to look at Tim Cook in surprise and asked: "Who said that? How is this possible? Binding a mobile phone to a robot? This is ridiculous."

Tim Cook smiled and then said: "It's not just about binding mobile phones to robots, but also binding autonomous driving technology to robots. It is said that Youwei Group is already discussing the feasibility with relevant departments, such as In the early stage, Youwei Group will uniformly bear the insurance costs for all robot autonomous driving systems, and increase pan-personal injury insurance caused by robot autonomous driving. If it can be proven that all violations caused by robot technology will be handled by Youwei Group, etc., isn't it possible? explain the problem?"

"Do you believe it?" Ge Dongshu asked with a shrug.

Tim Cook nodded and gave his own judgment casually: "I was hesitant when I came here, but after watching the demonstration just now, I believe it. You are working on a full artificial intelligence solution, and I think maybe you We will also add functions, such as robot butler technology. Of course, I actually don’t know whether you can reach a similar agreement. I don’t know the production volume of N1 robots and the main application direction at this stage. But given time, once the production volume catches up, Based on your relationship with Ning Zi, this is probably inevitable."

Ge Dongshu smiled and nodded: "Well, you also said you should give it time. In fact, we don't know the things you don't know either."

Tim Cook shrugged and said: "But your robotics laboratory can share part of the base's data and is also a supplier of some major components. It may take some time to imitate the N1 robot, but if you don't need the N1 robot With its movement capabilities, it can only be used as a general civilian robot, which does not require such a complex sensing system and high-precision computing capabilities, and can even use other methods to replace the N1 type machine vision system."

Ge Dongshu turned his head slightly to look at Tim Cook and said, "So..."

"So it probably won't take me three years, maybe next year, or the year after that, Youwei Group will launch the first generation of universal robot equipment that can integrate the functions of all current smart devices, including but not limited to smartphones, computers, smart hubs, Autonomous driving and other functions, providing mobile base stations and WIFI services.

In addition, it can understand general conversations, has screen display and projection capabilities, has cloud storage and private storage capabilities, uses embedded automatic search engine technology, and relies on the Youwei cloud platform for big data processing! Perhaps this will be the most successful high-end civilian artificial intelligence device in human history. By the way, have you figured out the naming rules for this mobile information center? "

Tim Cook finally gave his own judgment based on Ge Dongshu’s words.

If there are electronic enthusiasts around the two of them at this time, and they hear Tim Cook’s comments, they will most likely be full of expectations for the future.

After all, this kind of upgrade is definitely a future that electronic enthusiasts only dare to think about in their dreams, and it is already close to the elements of science fiction.

But when this kind of words comes from Tim Cook’s mouth, it has a lot more credibility.

As we all know, among companies, only close friends and businessmen know each other best.

As the only two giants in the smartphone market, both Apple and Youwei will naturally pay special attention to each other's products.

Especially for Apple, the rise of Faster has made them decisively give up on retaining their own mall ecosystem and instead start embracing the more open Faster ecological platform, which makes this concern more direct.

Because both companies now coexist under the same ecological platform, the current competition has changed from the previous ecological differentiation competition to a battle for users in the same ecological circle. Although the installation packages of the IOS platform and Hongmeng platform are still different. However, Faster's intelligent programming model can easily convert application installation packages between two operating systems, effectively breaking the boundaries of the closed system effect.

This also makes the competition between the two parties purer.

However, Ge Dongshu did not respond to Tim Cook's words, but also asked a question: "I heard that Apple has planned to authorize several brands of mobile phone manufacturers to use your IOS system. Is it true?"

Tim Cook shrugged and didn't answer.

Ge Dongshu continued to mutter to himself: "Actually, this kind of development seems petty. If I were you, I would directly open source IOS, and then start selling the A-series CPU architecture. Anyway, faster-type platforms have been determined to be the future trend. The overall competitive logic of future products has changed, Mr. Cook."

Tim Cook said playfully: "In this case, the value of the system will depend on whether the interface of the faster sharing platform will continue to be liberalized in the future. Well, let's not talk about this, Ge, don't you think that if you are promising, there will be no reliable one? Partners, even if your research is successful, will it be difficult to promote your robot products in the European and North American markets? Neither North American nor European supervision will simply define your future robot products as For communication products, it may even take a long time before we get a sales license.”

The topic was brought back again by the Apple boss.

"Hmm..." Ge Dongshu shrugged, glanced at the Apple boss next to him, and asked: "You mean if Apple becomes a partner of Youwei Group, it will be able to pass the customs smoothly?"

"Of course, we have our own lobbying channels, which can at least make it easier for corresponding products to be put on the market. And the European Antitrust Commission is not that easy to deal with. Of course, I don't need to remind you of this. I just want to tell you that whether it is Youwei Group , or this base needs a reliable ally.

It just so happens that Apple has already played some role in the global industrial chain layout of the base, and we can also play the same role in future products. Simply put, with Apple's guarantee, it is easier to gain trust. "

Tim Cook's words are very sincere, and of course they are also in line with the actual situation.

Youwei Group is at a natural disadvantage in this regard. Although Apple is often targeted by various European regulatory authorities, most of the time it is nothing more than a show and a painless fine, but it is different with Youwei Group, which is really punished at every turn.

However, no matter how sincere Tim Cook said, Ge Dongshu knew very well that this was not something he or even the group could decide at all.

And Ge Dongshu actually doesn't care too much about this.

Simply put, times have changed.

The economic laws of this world are closely related to productivity growth.

In an era of stagnant technological development and stagnant basic scientific research, the biggest impact is the stagnant development of productivity. At this time, dividends are often exhausted, and all businesses begin to engage in stock games. This stage is often the most cruel.

Because there is no incremental growth, we can only compete with each other for customers from the existing stock market, a proper zero-sum or even negative-sum game.

But when all kinds of basic technologies are booming and productivity is rising, for companies, as long as they find the right outlet, they can fly.

Especially at this time, even if it temporarily abandons overseas markets and concentrates on deeply exploring the Chinese market, it will be enough for Youwei Group to live well. After all, the related artificial intelligence plus humanoid robot market is now blank and can be written as you like.

So for Ge Dongshu, what Tim Cook said may be true, but Youwei Group now has far more choices than Apple, so it naturally has the initiative.

This is actually thanks to Ning Zi.

After all, Youwei Group established a robotics laboratory under Ning Zi’s suggestion and incorporated robot development into the group’s development strategy. More importantly, Youwei Group can share the global supply chain and China’s local supply chain with the base. This is also Make it possible to design simplified civilian robotics for the group.

The most important thing is that the starting point of this technological revolution represented by artificial intelligence and the discovery of anti-gravity materials was in China.

According to the law of historical development, wherever the technological revolution begins, it means that that region will begin to develop by leaps and bounds. In the era of science and technology, relying on products with dimensionality reduction, we can quickly accumulate capital and enter the fast lane of development. It can also retain more profits through high value-added products.

Especially under the current conditions, China is already an industrial power, and its strong manufacturing industry coupled with the era of rising productivity will catalyze each other. Even the most pessimistic people will express optimism about China's future economic development.

All this became Ge Dongshu's confidence at this time.

After thinking for a moment, Ge Dongshu said with emotion: "Mr. Cook, when we met at the National Sports University about two years ago, Academician Ning said to me that at that time I was standing at the center of the future world's science and technology. In fact, I was still right at that time. His confidence was doubtful, but now I don't think even you would doubt it. So think about it, something that even his closest collaborators doubted at the time ended up being accepted by everyone. In fact, I don’t need to say more about who deserves the main credit.

So I actually feel quite ashamed now. I often wonder, if we had been more radical and supported the development of related technologies more strongly, what would the scene be like now? Maybe you can get the agency rights of Faster directly? Okay, let’s not talk about that. In short, your idea may be right, but in this level of cooperation, you should know better than me who can make the final decision, so there is really no need to test our ideas. Regarding the promotion of robots, the group has several plans, and we have no plans yet. Make the final decision. "

Ge Dongshu's emotion did not move Tim Cook. After all, these are things that everyone understands tacitly, and can also be said to be nonsense. He just replied calmly: "Of course I understand, Ge, I have made an appointment with Ning, and we will have a direct conversation after lunch. I just hope that Ruoning will consult with you partners, and that you can consider what I just said Opinions, nothing more.”

"Oh, I will consider it and make a suggestion to the board of directors." Ge Dongshu replied casually.

The standardized answer, in their position, is that it is impossible to give a definite answer to such a question involving the group's strategy in this case. So Tim Cook is actually quite satisfied.

Moreover, the two bosses managed their time just right. After discussing the topic, they arrived at the door of Canteen No. 1.

…

Ning Zi did not attend the lunch dinner.

Of course, this is not surprising. In fact, no one can make Ning Zi go to a certain dinner. This can be regarded as a kind of freedom. Just like what Ning Zi said today, his time is more precious.

The lunch at noon was very sumptuous, but Tim Cook was patient and stayed at the table for an hour.

After the luncheon, Zhuo Mingqian, who had already been greeted, personally brought Tim Cook to Ning Zi's office at the base.

This meeting is obviously important to Tim Cook.

Ning Zi once promised Tim Cook that in the future space age, Apple mobile phones will have signals in space, but this promise now seems to be clearly not enough. Because Tim Cook is no longer sure what kind of smartphones people will be more accustomed to using in the future space age.

Being unable to see the future clearly, or having insufficient confidence in future judgments, is the most fatal thing for the CEO of a large technology company.

…

"Welcome, President Cook." Ning Zi, who was busy at his desk, saw Tim Cook walking into the office. He stood up and walked to the door.

This face is really great.

Ning Zi's enthusiasm also made Tim Cook feel much more comfortable.

Although he knew something about Ning Zi, talking to a Ning Zi who was still willing to perform enthusiastically was definitely more worth looking forward to. At the same time, Tim Cook became wary. In his opinion, the enthusiasm of the young man in front of him was never without purpose.

"Why don't we have dinner together at noon? Everyone is looking forward to chatting with you."

"Recently, my taste has been spoiled by a top chef, and I'm not used to the dishes made by other chefs. It just so happens that he's been tired these days and doesn't want to have a banquet, so I just ate the side dishes he cooked." Ning Zi He explained with a smile.

This reason is very NICE. Tim Cook doesn't know how to answer.

But then again, this is the Ning Zi he is familiar with. The communication is simple and pure. Although the reason seems very unwelcoming, it is most likely true.

"If I have the chance, I'd like to try it too."

"Haha, there must be a chance. Okay, let's not talk about this, Tim, let's talk seriously. We don't have much time to waste talking about these things, you say it first or should I say it first?" Ning Zi said straight to the point. .

Tim Cook felt that the young man in front of him was becoming more and more familiar. The taste was still the same and quite good, so he smiled and replied: "You can tell me first."

"Well, you're welcome. Simply put, in the future, the base will consider licensing some related technologies and products, but we have a requirement that all technology licenses must be settled in Chinese legal currency. Correspondingly, in the future international market For transactions, any transaction involving external licensing of the base's technology must also be settled in Chinese legal currency. Of course, this also includes the licensing of Apple's products, faster and turbulence algorithm-related equipment, etc.

If refused, we will withdraw all authorizations. For example, the artificial intelligence technology used by Apple's Siri, the worldwide turbulence algorithm business, etc. You should know that we have the ability or technical means to stop services at any time.

I know this request is a bit sudden, but I have decided to implement it unilaterally, probably next year. After all, I have to give the world some time to prepare. Whether it’s you or us. I know you have good relationships with many people, so I hope you can inform them. The best way is of course for everyone to sit down and peacefully discuss a charter for a proper transition and avoid losses caused by chaos. After all, we live in a civilized and gentlemanly world. I think it is better not to sue if we can negotiate. All kinds of force.

Like I told you before, the future is the space age, and our anti-gravity spacecraft is about to come online. Even some small anti-gravity intra-atmospheric aircraft have begun to make final preparations for launch. There are abundant resources everywhere within the solar system, so everyone should look further ahead. The moon, Mars, Enceladus, and even metallic hydrogen on Jupiter are where countless wealth are accumulated. Cooperation and development should be our theme, what do you think? "

Tim Cook looked at Ning Zi in astonishment. No matter how well-trained he was, he couldn't maintain his composure at this time. As for the little bit of honor before, it had been wiped away by Ning Zi's words.

He obviously did not expect that Ning Zi would suddenly make such a request at this time.

Ha, using China’s legal currency to settle all businesses, Tim Cook’s first thought was Apple’s huge currency reserves. He could imagine what impact this news would have on the world's finances once it was announced. It would be a tsunami, a tsunami that would make the global market turbulent and drive countless people crazy.

Faster, turbulence algorithm, not to mention Siri, the popularity of the first two basic technologies alone is enough to cause turmoil in the foundation of the world's Internet. After all, the productivity breakthroughs in this era, at least for now, are supported by artificial intelligence.

Crazy, the young man in front of me is probably crazy.

But soon, Tim Cook suddenly understood why he saw the N1 robot performing those drills today.

Thinking about the anti-gravity technology that could not find any information at all, he suddenly felt that Ning Zi's sudden request at this moment seemed to be expected.

only……

"Ning, that's not what the contract we negotiated said before..."

"Oh, all contracts have reservation clauses. In the contracts drawn up by our artificial intelligence, I know very well which loopholes can be used. It is nothing more than a matter of liability for breach of contract. Not to mention that we all know that this has never been a matter of contract. Contract. Those who have always been restrained are those who are powerless and have no qualifications to violate the contract. Um... I would like to ask, do you think my base and I don't have that ability?"