69 The Future 1.0 That Shocked the World (1/2)
Chapter 69: The Future 1.0 That Shocked the World
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Artificial intelligence was a word most people on the internet were familiar with. They usually played the antagonist role in the action-packed Hollywood movies, only to have their plans of world domination gloriously foiled by the protagonist.
It could be seen from the mainstream media that humankind had always been skeptical and afraid of artificial intelligence.
The perception was logical; they were, after all, beings not reliant on a physical body, both eternal and wise. There was no reason for such a ”god” to abide by the rules of humans.
However, ventures into artificial intelligence research never ceased. From novels written in the 1950s that imagined the future of artificial intelligence to IBM’s development of Watson who could design a menu and voluntarily participate in contests—within sixty years, artificial intelligence had made leaps and bounds.
What about in another sixty years?
There was no need for another sixty years; the Han internet user could now experience it in the present.
An unknown software—as if carefully planned—entered the Android platform, 361 stores, and the APP store. The download number exploded exponentially, breaking one million downloads on the tenth day after release, beating Line’s record at six hundred thousand downloads a day.
This could only be described as a miracle.
Using common sense, it would still take great marketing to pull off such a feat. Otherwise, no matter how amazing the app, it would take time for anyone to become familiar with the product. Future Technology Corporation—it was a name no one ever had heard before.
Artificial intelligence? A changed algorithm with an increase in phone performance by threefold? Decrease power consumption by half? Automatic compatibility with both Android and iOS apps? Did they take all of the users for fools?
Fu*k, it actually has artificial intelligence that can speak? Siri is so dumb in comparison.
Fu*k, it actually increased the phone performance by three times! Even cheap phones can play high-end games now without any lag!
Fu*k, it actually decreased the power consumption by half. My Huawei has a battery span of two days now!
A chain of explosive reactions ensued, followed by an exponential number of downloads. The waves of good ratings and comments convinced the skeptical users to join the forces. In response to their shocking discovery, they also joined in promoting the app.
Future 1.0 officially caught the attention of all mobile users.
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Within 361 Corporation's headquarters.
”I want to know the developer of this app, as well as the background of Future Technology. I don’t care how you do it; I want a detailed report on my table in two hours.” 361 Corporation's president Zhou Hongwei sat at his office desk, rubbing his forehead in an attempt to alleviate his tiredness as he gave a task to 361 Phone Helper’s Project Manager Zhang Jianfeng.
”Yes.” The middle aged man nodded as he hastily walked out of the office.
”Boss, is the Future 1.0 as scary as it sounds?” The assistant couldn’t resist asking after seeing her boss's gloomy expression.
”Do you know what artificial intelligence and enhanced phone functionality mean?” Zhou Hongwei sneered with raised eyebrows.
”But based on user dependency and...”
”Don't mention those things; those are applicable when the software are comparable.” Zhou Hongwei rejected the assistant's point right away. ”Would you continue to use an old flip phone after the introduction of a smartphone?”
The young assistant was speechless, unable to argue against her boss's point. Even if the book said otherwise, the reality was right in front of her.
”The introduction of the touch screen replaced the necessity to have fifteen physical buttons, but the Future 1.0 replaced the need to use fingers. The increased phone performance also broke through the limitation of mobile game development. The two breakthrough technologies exist on one software. Pity, if even one of them had been born in our 361 Phone Helper, I have full confidence that I would’ve been able to replace Penguin and become the new leader in the tech industry.”
The thought of his horrendous defeat against Penguin in a battle for market shares enraged him to this day.
Zhou Hongwei's finger gently tapped against the table amidst the assistant’s silence.
Less than half an hour later, the door was pushed open.
Zhang Jianfeng did not bother to knock on the door as he hastily approached his boss.
”The information is here.”
”Excellent.” Zhou Hongwei immediately began reading the information. Instead of criticizing him for his informality, he was pleased by the efficiency.
After scanning through the document with a frown, Zhou Hongwei immediately handed another task to his assistant.
”Go and contact Gu Cheng from the technology's department. I give him permission to use any developers from any project. My only requirement is that I want to see a cracked version of Future 1.0 in a week.”
”Yes.” The assistant nodded as she stepped out.
Immediately, Zhou Hongwei gave directives to his right-hand man Zhang Jianfeng.
”Zhang Jianfeng, go contact Future Technology's owner Jiang Chen and discuss the possibility of an acquisition. If it can be purchased, then that would be the best option. If he asks for a price within 2 billion, I give you permission to accept right away. At the same time, ask if he is interesting in working for 361.”
”Yes.” Zhang Jianfeng nodded, agreeing that the price his boss offered was not too high. As the 361 Phone Helper’s Project Manager, he knew the value of this app.
2 Billion RMB? Even 2 billion USD was not enough. Zhang Jianfeng could only hope that Jiang Chen was too new to know the value of his software and would be shocked by the billion dollar offer.
But was that possible? Jiang Chen's own valuation for the company was over trillions.
USD.
At the same time, what happened in 361 was also taking place in Baidu, QQ's headquarters, and even in the overseas Samsung, Microsoft, and Apple technology giants who expressed significant interest towards the app born in Hua.
Acquisition, cracking, joint venture... A series of meetings revolved around the ”giant bomb” that was Future 1.0.
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”Marketing expenditure of five hundred ninety thousand includes creating impressions on social media, utilizing platforms such as Baidu, Wechat, and QQ, as well as other forms of advertisement.”
Xia Shiyu had recovered from her cold. In professional attire, she concisely reported the company development before Jiang Chen.