Chapter 374 A Solid Step

On December 25, 2011, the instant messaging software WeChat and Wechat under Tenda Group were updated simultaneously around the world and launched the video call function. This innovative function quickly triggered a user craze.

The next morning, in the chairman’s office on the top floor of the Science and Technology Building, the winter sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows and filled the entire space.

Lei Jun stood by the window, overlooking the bustling street scene in the distance, and said with deep emotion: "I really hope Xiaomi can have an office building like this soon."

Song Ci walked over with tea in hand and chuckled when he heard it: "With Xiaomi's current development speed, I don't think your wish will come true in five years, Mr. Lei."

"Then I'll take advantage of Mr. Song's good wishes!" Lei Jun took the teacup and thought about the booming Xiaomi mobile phone, with a look of longing for the future on his face.

The two chatted for a while and sat down on the sofa.

Lei Jun sipped his tea and got to the point. "After nearly half a year of hard work, the acquisition of AuthenTec has finally been finalized. It cost a total of 380 million U.S. dollars. Those vampires in the U.S. Department of Commerce are really greedy. They spent 10 million U.S. dollars on public relations alone."

"The high-tech industry is sensitive to acquisitions, and anything that can be solved with money is not a big deal. With AuthenTec fingerprint recognition technology, Xiaomi and Tenda can continue to advance their respective development plans."

Song Ci secretly felt fortunate that the relationship between China and the United States was still harmonious at that time, not as tense as it would be a few years later. After five or six years, it would be wishful thinking for a Chinese company to acquire an American high-tech company. You should just be happy if there are no sanctions.

"That's right." Lei Jun nodded in agreement, although the acquisition of AuthenTec was dominated by Tengda Group, which owns 70% of the shares of the new company.

However, the right to use some technical patents is shared by the two companies. Xiaomi, which has obtained the fingerprint recognition technology, has begun to develop a new generation of high-end models.

While they were talking, a cheerful cell phone ringtone suddenly rang. When Song Ci heard the exclusive ringtone, he knew it was his wife calling him on WeChat video, and a helpless and doting smile immediately appeared on his face.

He picked up the phone on the coffee table and it was indeed Liu Shishi calling. Since the video function was launched on WeChat yesterday, Miss Liu would call him whenever she was free. From the beginning to now, she has called him no less than ten times.

When the video was connected, a beautiful face immediately filled the screen. Liu Shishi smiled like a flower and said in a voice as sweet as a silver bell: "Husband!"

"Shishi, I can't concentrate on my work if you keep video-calling me like this."

Liu Shishi pretended to be sad and aggrieved: "Song Yiyi, you find me annoying now, don't you?"

Song Ci held his forehead and sighed. Here it comes again! His little wife can be sweet or salty now. She can change her face at any time: "Boss Lei, please talk to me about something. Can I call back later?"

"That's more like it!" Liu Shishi nodded proudly, smiling, "Give my regards to Mr. Lei and Sister Tong!"

After hanging up the video, Song Ci shook his head and smiled bitterly, thinking that the little goblin was a little clingy lately.

Lei Jun smiled and joked, "It seems that the person who benefits the most from this new WeChat function is Mr. Song! Mr. Song and Shishi are so loving and affectionate that others are envious."

Song Ci laughed: "The WeChat video function has just been launched, and she is just beginning to be interested in it. Once the novelty wears off, she probably won't bother to talk to me anymore."

After the joke, Lei Jun's expression straightened up and he exclaimed sincerely: "Mr. Song, the video call function launched by WeChat this time can be regarded as a milestone breakthrough in the mobile Internet era."

Song Ci was very interested: "It seems that Mr. Lei has studied this new function in depth. Why don't you tell us about it?"

"It's not just me! I think all the major technology companies around the world are studying this WeChat update."

Lei Jun had a serious expression. As the instant messaging software with the most users in the world, WeChat had a major update, and no Internet company would remain indifferent.

“I won’t say much about the huge technical advantages. WeChat has already formed a generation gap with other IM software!

More importantly, video calls have restructured the use of instant messaging software in family scenarios. It can be seen that images will inevitably ignite the family affection in the hearts of users and will replace traditional telephones as the mainstream way of family communication in the future. "

Listening to Lei Jun's analysis, Song Ci clapped his hands and praised: "As expected of Mr. Lei, he really has a deep understanding of Internet products!"

"Anyone who works on Internet products can see the importance of WeChat videos," Lei Jun said sincerely, "but knowing is easier said than done. Even if other companies have thought of adding video functions to communication software, how to break through the existing technical bottleneck is a big problem.

Tenda was able to complete product development just after 3G networks became popular, which is the most impressive. I talked with Xiaomi engineers yesterday. Tenda's technology is at least 18 months ahead of other Internet social companies in the world. "

Song Ci's face was filled with pride; years of planning had finally paid off. The launch of the video call feature marked the completion of WeChat's transformation from a single communication tool to a comprehensive digital life platform, and its position as the dominant IM software could no longer be shaken.

At this moment, Mr. Billionaire was in a very good mood and happily shared: "Mr. Lei, according to the latest data feedback, the average daily usage time of WeChat users increased significantly yesterday, but the general feedback was that the video quality needs to be improved."

Lei Jun was well versed in user needs and immediately understood the point made by Song Ci.

The increase in the average daily time spent using WeChat shows that the video call function is very popular among users, but the image quality problem exposes the limitations of current smartphone hardware configuration.

"I never thought a piece of software could stimulate the increase in the configuration rate of front-facing cameras in smartphones. Xiaomi 2 is too late to adjust. The third-generation phone must upgrade the camera module group, especially the front-facing camera."

As a strategic partner, Song Ci reminded earnestly: "Mr. Lei, Xiaomi must pay attention to the research and development of core technologies. Without independent innovation, Xiaomi mobile phones will always be at the lower end of the industry chain."

Lei Jun said solemnly: "Of course. Xiaomi has increased its investment in chip design, system optimization, image processing, fast charging technology and other fields. However, Xiaomi was founded not long ago and has insufficient technical reserves. The effect cannot be seen in a short time. It needs time to settle down."

"Don't worry. The first half of the mobile Internet era has just begun. We have plenty of time."

"First half!" Lei Jun was stunned when he heard this, and keenly grasped the key words, "Boss Song, does Tengda have a bigger plan?"

"The time has not come yet." Song Ci smiled mysteriously, with a sense of unfathomableness. Limited by the current hardware conditions, many product ideas cannot be implemented. It will take a few years for the 4G era to arrive before the golden age of mobile Internet comes.

Seeing that Song Ci didn't want to talk much, thinking that it involved the confidential information of Tengda Group, Lei Jun tactfully stopped asking and changed the subject: "I recently received a special invitation!"

"Oh, what invitation?"

"Taishan Club!"

Song Ci was a little surprised: "As far as I know, if a new member wants to join the Taishan Club, he needs to be recommended by two formal members, and he needs to be voted by all members to become a provisional member. When did the joining condition change to active invitation?"

Lei Jun explained: "The rules were just changed this year. Baidu's Li Yanhong and BBK's Duan Yongping jointly recommended me. I heard that Taishan Club had also contacted you before."

Song Ci was dismissive: "They are just a group of ruffians who got their start by taking advantage of policy dividends in the early days of reform and opening up.

Nowadays, the laws and regulations of various industries in the country are gradually improving and supervision is becoming stricter. Their way of playing games is no longer feasible. Li Yanhong is involved with that group of people. No wonder Baidu is getting worse and worse. "

Lei Jun was secretly surprised. He didn't expect the richest man to have such a bad impression of the Taishan Society. He cautiously tested him, "Does President Song have a feud with the Taishan Society?"

Song Ci said contemptuously: "No, people with different ideals cannot work together. Those people may seem to be doing well, but in fact, they are just so-so. They are just doing real estate and selling health products. Only Lenovo has a certain scale."

Seeing that Song Ci was extremely disgusted with Taishan Society, Lei Jun instantly became alert. The richest man had extraordinary information channels, and he might have heard some rumors.

There will be a court meeting next year and no one can predict how the emperor’s opinion will change and the policy direction will change. It seems that it is better for me to have less contact with the Taishan Society.

Song Ci leaned on the sofa, looked directly at Lei Jun, and said calmly: "Boss Lei, the Taishan Club's model of huddling together for warmth is no longer suitable for technology companies in the new era.

The current social environment is quietly changing. Some people may be "business godfathers" today, but their reputation may reverse and they may become negative figures the next moment. "

Lei Jun was shocked. The richest man was referring to someone. Although he didn't say it clearly, it was obvious who he was referring to. "Mr. Song, that person has an extraordinary status in the business world. You must not conflict with him."

Song Ci waved his hand: "Boss Lei, you are worrying too much! I am just telling you that times have changed! If you have contact with them, just be nice to them for the sake of appearance, but don't make close friends with them.

Some people have a shady history of making a fortune and cannot stand up to scrutiny. Besides, they are of no help to your career or mine, and may even become competitors in the future.”

The richest man's warning was very obvious. Lei Jun had already decided not to associate with the Taishan Society. "I understand. Thank you, Mr. Song, for reminding me."

"In fact, there are only a few people who truly share the same ideals. If you are interested in a business alliance, you can take the lead in establishing one. I am willing to support you."

"Forget it, I'm not qualified to set up a chamber of commerce!" Lei Jun hurriedly shook his head. The various business circles may seem glamorous, but in reality they are mostly about exchanging interests and are of no real help to career development.

Today's meeting was fruitful. After Lei Jun exchanged a few more polite words with Song Ci, he stood up and said goodbye.

"Mr. Song, please stay." In front of the office door, Lei Jun politely declined Song Ci's offer to see him off and walked straight to the end of the corridor.

After watching Lei Jun leave, Song Ci returned to the office, sat down at his desk, and called Liu Shishi via WeChat video.

"Honey, are you done with your work?" On the screen, Liu Shishi held up her cell phone and slowly turned around so that Song Ci could see the background behind her clearly.

Looking at the scenes and cameras displayed on the screen, Song Ci smiled and asked, "Are you still shooting commercials?"

"Yes, it's halftime, and we'll continue shooting in the afternoon." Liu Shishi suddenly looked worried. She was shooting a New Year advertisement for Omega in Donghai today. She had been posing and smiling for several hours. After only half a day, her facial muscles were stiff from smiling.

Song Ci said with concern: "Don't push yourself too hard, take more rest if you are tired."

"Yes." Liu Shishi held up her phone, moved lightly, and slowly moved the camera to show her husband the shooting site of the advertisement. "Sister K, Xiaoxia and Xiaoxiao are here."

Cai Yinong noticed the figure on Yijie's phone screen and quickly greeted her: "Mr. Song!"

Song Ci was in a good mood and joked, "It seems that Mr. Cai has been doing well recently and is becoming more and more blessed."

Cai Yinong was very embarrassed. The richest man was teasing her that she had gained weight.

Liu Shishi looked closely at Sister K's face, which had become noticeably rounder, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The laughter and chatter here attracted the attention of the vice president of Omega China, who came forward curiously and asked, "Ms. Liu, what are you doing?"

"Boss Yang, I'm video chatting with my husband." Liu Shishi explained with a smile, and then introduced her husband: "Dear, this is Yang Hua, the person in charge of Omega in China."

Yang Hua saw the figure in Liu Shishi's phone, his face froze, and he hurriedly greeted, "Hello, Mr. Song."

Song Ci nodded to the middle-aged man who appeared on the screen, with a majestic aura and a commanding presence.

Yang Hua greeted him with a smile. Feeling the richest man's magnanimous demeanor, the little thoughts that had arisen in his heart immediately subsided.

Previously, as the head of Omega's China region, he had always advocated that the company renew its endorsement contract with Zhang Ziyi. Because Zhang Ziyi had a weak background, she would express her opinions to people like him who were actually in charge of the region every year.

Now that the Swiss headquarters insists on replacing the spokesperson with Liu Shishi, who has a strong background, his voice in front of the new spokesperson has been greatly weakened, so he is naturally somewhat unwilling.

Originally, he wanted to show his power during the filming of the commercial, but when he saw Song Ci at this moment, he suddenly came to his senses, and all his little thoughts immediately disappeared.

In the picture, the richest man sat upright with a dignified attitude. He was somewhat indifferent to Yang Hua and looked a little cold.

"Ms. Liu, please chat with Mr. Song. I won't disturb you." Seeing that the richest man was too lazy to pay attention to her, Yang Hua left tactfully.

Liu Shishi took her phone, found a chair and sat down, quietly looking at her husband on the screen, and said coquettishly: "The pixels are a bit low, which affects my appreciation of your magnificent beauty."

Song Ci placed his phone aside, with the screen facing him, and tried two things at once: working and talking to Liu Shishi at the same time: "The phone hardware can only support this kind of clarity at present."

Liu Shishi held her chin with one hand, staring quietly at her husband who was working with his head down. She felt a sense of peace and tranquility in her heart. She liked the new video function on WeChat more and more. From now on, when she is on the set, she can see her husband via video at any time to ease her homesickness.

"By the way, dear, how is your idea for the script that Master and I are working on?"

"The general framework is fine." Song Ci said without raising his head. "It's a spy film with a female protagonist, based on a legendary female agent on the covert front during the Republic of China period. What's wrong? Are you in a hurry to read the script?"

"No, I was afraid that you were too busy, and I thought I shouldn't waste your time writing the script. Noon Sunshine is better at serious dramas, and I was planning to ask them to write the script."

"It's okay. I write scripts and novels to relax after work. You just mentioned Noon Sunshine. I think it would be a good idea to hire them to make a movie.

Mr. Kong is good at drama, and Tangren Films is not as professional as them in spy wars. I will write the first draft of the script, and you can ask Noon Sunshine to polish it and strive for perfection. "

Liu Shishi smiled sweetly: "Well, I'll listen to you, husband."

(End of this chapter)