Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 1340 - 1070: Reinventing the Smartphone

Chapter 1340: Chapter 1070: Reinventing the Smartphone

As everyone eagerly awaited, Boss Qiao hurried onto the stage.

Without saying a word, he first walked to a corner of the stage, picked up a bottle of mineral water and took a sip, while the big screen lit up, flashing the black Apple LOGO.

Boss Qiao put down the bottle of mineral water, took a few steps forward, but did not move to the center.

He began to speak, "I have been waiting for this day for three years..."

Below the stage, there erupted cheers and applause from Apple fans, although they didn’t know exactly what he was anticipating...

Only Wang Ye and Cook exchanged knowing smiles, because they both knew that the Apple phone project had secretly started three years ago, which is why Boss Qiao said he had been waiting for three years.

Once it quieted down below, Boss Qiao continued:

"Every so often, a revolutionary product appears and changes everything.

Yet...

Apple has...

Perhaps it should be said that it’s already quite fortunate for a person to participate in one revolutionary product in their lifetime.

However, Apple, as well as I personally, have been very fortunate to have introduced several such products in the past.

In ’84, we launched the Macintosh computer, which not only changed Apple but also transformed the entire computer industry..."

The audience burst into applause once again.

Boss Qiao, with a calm face, continued leisurely:

"In 2001, we released the first IPOD, which not only changed the way we listen to music but also transformed the entire music industry!

Today, we are introducing three such products..."

He emphasized the word "three" and held up three fingers.

The journalists and fans below were baffled, completely unaware of what was happening, since the two products Boss Qiao previously mentioned indeed had epoch-making significance, directly changing the computer and music industries.

Could it be that Apple was really going to introduce three such monumental products today?

That was almost unbelievable!

But nonetheless, cheering and clapping was the right response!

Boss Qiao continued at his unhurried pace:

"The first one is a Big Screen IPOD with touch operation."

Immediately, there were cheers from some and skepticism from others, as while such a product was quite impressive and advanced, it hardly seemed revolutionary.

Boss Qiao slightly smiled, "The second one, is a revolutionary mobile phone!"

This time, the crowd below became excited, as this was Apple’s first time venturing into mobile phones, a completely new category.

Based on Apple’s style, entering any new industry meant they were bringing a unique product.

It was well worth the anticipation!

"The third, is a breakthrough mobile Internet tool."

As he spoke, an icon - a square, representing the browser included in the Apple phone - appeared on the big screen behind him, though the people below did not know what it was.

Boss Qiao paced back and forth on the stage while the icons representing "IPOD," "Mobile phone," "Mobile Internet tool" alternated on the big screen.

He repeated, "An IPOD, mobile phone, Internet tool," three times until the audience looked completely puzzled, then he asked, "Do you understand what I am saying?"

The crowd admitted they were clueless, only able to express their excitement through applause and cheers, even though most didn’t know what they were excited about.

Boss Qiao then stood in the center of the stage, raised his voice, and said loudly, "These are not three separate items, but one device, which we call the IPHONE!"

The big screen behind him flashed the white capital letters "IPHONE."

Facing the audience, Boss Qiao announced, "Today, Apple is about to reinvent the phone!"

Then, he pulled an Apple phone from his jeans pocket, held it high, while the big screen also showed a large image of the front of the Apple phone.

The entire venue stood up!

Wang Ye also stood up along with everyone, smiling as he watched Boss Qiao on stage and clapped for him.

Next, Boss Qiao demonstrated various new functions of the phone, and the theater was filled with continuous applause and cheering from both journalists and fans, all attracted to the tiny Apple phone in Boss Qiao’s hand.

Though its features were not necessarily powerful, they were certainly novel, something other phones on the market didn’t have!

Perhaps this was the consistent style of Apple products, focusing on user experience, distinct from others.

...

Due to the popularity of the internet, the so-called "reinvented phone" launched by Apple instantly spread worldwide.

The first-generation IPHONE with its various disruptive functions and operating experience became known to Internet users globally, causing a huge stir.

Reportedly, on the night of the launch event, long queues had already formed at all Apple retail stores in the North American region, although the new phone wouldn’t officially go on sale until the next morning, but many avid Apple fans couldn’t wait.

Everyone wanted to get their hands on the new phone as quickly as possible, even though it was not cheap, with a retail price of 499 US dollars...

That evening, back in the hotel, Wang Ye turned on the TV and found many TV stations broadcasting live the queueing "spectacle" at Apple retail stores, with journalists interviewing on the scene.

Amusingly, some had even pitched tents by the roadside, presumably to use for sleeping while queuing overnight.