Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King

Because we are the major shareholders

The iPhone was introduced to the world two years before its predecessor.

It was released sooner, but it was much more complete than the early models I remember.

This is probably because Dream High was able to purchase and use all of the relevant patents.

The developer tools released at the same time also received rave reviews from developers.

The tool enabled anyone to create apps for the iPhone, and the App Store was also launched at the same time.

Although it had to be reviewed by Apple, the big advantage was that anyone could sell their app through the App Store.

In its previous life, the iPhone was ignored by users due to its lack of applications.

But this time, they raised people's expectations by quickly releasing developer tools and an app store.

The success of a smartphone depends on how many applications there are. The more developers stick to it, the more successful the iPhone will be.

When the iPhone was released, all the major media outlets ran articles about it.

[Apple Unveils Revolutionary iPhone, A Game Changer for the Mobile Industry.] [Steve Jobs Introduces iPhone. A New Era of Communication Begins.] [iPhone: Apple's Latest Innovation That Will Redefine Smartphones.]

The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Washington Post all ran headlines praising the iPhone, calling it a revolution.

Most of the responses were positive, but there were also some negative articles.

[Steve Jobs' iPhone was a fraud.] [Tech experts worry that the iPhone will fail due to the lack of a physical keyboard.] [Apple's expensive iPhone. Is it worth it?]

But because the overall mood was overwhelmingly positive, these negative articles failed to attract people's attention.

[The developer who received Jobs's rave reviews. Who is he?]

There was even an article guessing who the first person Jobs called when he unveiled the iPhone was.

Although the name Charlie is famous on Wall Street, it was difficult to link it to the development of the iPhone, so speculations were limited.

The irony was that it happened to be a Murdoch-owned tabloid.

* * *

After the event, I left the venue and went first to the Apple campus.

I've visited the Apple campus many times, but each time I visit, it's a new experience.

The faces of Apple employees on campus were all filled with anticipation and excitement.

Most people probably didn't know about the iPhone's existence, but now that it was out in the wild, it was only natural to give every employee an iPhone to test.

"You are Charlie."

Tim Cook greeted me and extended his hand. I took his hand and gave it a small shake.

"Nice to meet you. This is Charlie."

"Let's go in first. Jobs will be here soon."

"Yes, that's right."

I was guided into the conference room by Tim Cook.

There were already several people gathered in the conference room.

Everyone's eyes were on me and Tim Cook. They were looking at me as if they were searching me.

Tim Cook spoke in a voice so quiet that only I could hear.

"These are people from AT&T and Verizon."

It seemed like they came to sign an iPhone supply contract.

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Do you think of me as your competition?

Tim Cook guided me to a seat opposite them.

Looking at the empty space in the center, it seemed like it was Jobs' seat.

My seat was on the left of the center, and Tim Cook's seat was on the right.

I sat down and looked around once more.

Verizon, the number one telecommunications company in the US, and AT&T, the number two······.

I already knew the outcome.

'AT&T has an exclusive contract?'

I don't know the exact details of the contract, but I remember that AT&T had an exclusive contract in the US.

Apple has been selling its products in a dominant position by signing contracts with the second-largest carrier. It has also used similar strategies in France and the UK.

I wondered if they would sign an exclusive contract with the second-place company again this time.

I opened one of the coffee cookies on the tray, recalling memories from my past life.

'By the way, why are you staring at me like that?'

I felt burdened because people from both companies were watching my every move closely.

I put down the snack I was holding and smiled kindly.

"What's on my face? Everyone is staring at me."

The first person to answer my question was a guy from Verizon.

"My name is Brian and I'm from Verizon. I'm a sales director."

"Yes, Brian."

"What gives you the right to be here?"

The rest of the people also perked up their ears, wondering why.

"I attended as a representative of Dream High. We are the major shareholder of Apple. So it is only natural that we attend this event."

"Ah. Excuse me."

I nodded nonchalantly at Brian's apology.

Since it was a well-known fact that Dream High was Apple's largest shareholder, everyone seemed to understand why I was there.

I only found out about this place when I entered the conference room, but I guess there was no need to mention it.

"Of course, the contract will be entirely up to Jobs. I'll just watch, so you don't have to worry too much about it."

Tim Cook looked at me, but I pretended not to notice and smiled at Brian.

It's all up to Apple CEO Steve Jobs and finance chief Tim Cook to take care of it.

Just then, the door opened and Jobs came in, a smile spread across his face.

"Oh, everyone is here."

Jobs, sitting in the empty seat, asked the people in front of him.

"What did you all think of today's announcement? The iPhone we made."

Before the question was even finished, Brian, the Verizon executive, answered.

"It was shocking. If it works as demonstrated, I think it will be able to write a new history for smartphones."

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The woman from AT&T nodded at that.

Then he took out his BlackBerry smartphone from his small handbag and said.

"This is the BlackBerry I use."

She took out her clunky-looking BlackBerry smartphone and smiled.

"I used to think that this model was pretty good compared to other smartphones, but after seeing the iPhone today, my opinion completely changed. This is garbage."

Blackberry was the company that dominated the smartphone market in North America.

As someone who has already witnessed the evolution of smartphones in the future, I wonder if it is worth calling it a smartphone, but at least for now, it is a product of high status.

"It's rude to compare that piece of garbage to our iPhone. They're completely different devices."

She nodded quickly at Jobs' blunt words.

"I'm not comparing them, I'm just showing them because they're the best smartphones available in the world right now."

Perhaps afraid of offending Jobs, excuses quickly followed.

"But that will soon be a thing of the past. The iPhone is a world-changing device like no other."

Although it was an blatant compliment, the corners of Jobs' mouth went up instead.

It was a natural reaction to the compliments pouring in for someone who loves compliments.

Jobs coughed slightly and opened his mouth.

"The reason I had a meeting with both companies at the same time was because of the iPhone supply issue. Did you both bring full authority?"

Brian nodded first.

"I have full authority to represent Verizon. That's why I am here in person as a sales director."

Jobs's gaze shifted to the side. She missed her timing to answer and answered half a beat slower.

"······This is Chloe, CMO. Everything I say today represents our company."

"The Chief Marketing Officer is here. It'll be easier to talk if you both have full authority."

As Jobs glanced at Tim Cook, he rang the call bell next to him and called an employee.

The staff member put down the documents he had prepared in advance in front of both sides and left.

"Let's take a look first and then talk."

Both Verizon and AT&T have started reading the documents.

Only then did Jobs put his hand on my shoulder and smile.

"How was your day?"

Looking at her face full of anticipation, I thought I knew what to say.

I said, giving a thumbs up.

"It was a much more advanced device than I expected."

"It was all your idea."

Everyone who was handing over documents stopped and looked at me.

I could tell what they were trying to say just by looking at their eyes.

'What? Is that the guy who came up with the idea for the iPhone? Didn't you just say he was an investor?'

I pretended not to notice the eyes filled with questions, anticipation, curiosity, and longing.

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"My idea? I just talked about my fantasy, and it was Jobs who made it concrete. Don't keep doing that. People misunderstand."

"So what if it's true? I know you don't like to be in the front, but I can't compromise on this issue."

The gazes of the people gathered in the conference room became more explicit.

I said with a deep sigh.

"Ugh… I see. But I won't actively come forward. There's just someone who gave me the idea. He's Korean. Just reveal that much."

"Okay. That's enough."

Only then did Jobs appear satisfied and tap my shoulder again.

"But why are you trying to make it known like that? Can't you just say that it was all Jobs' idea? I'm not even going to step forward and try to correct it."

"I'm not that kind of punk."

I swallowed a laugh inside. No, not really.

It's just that he was so gentle with me, but everyone who knew Jobs called him a thug.

He was the dictator of Apple. When he got his way, no one could stop him.

Now that Jobs and I have taken control of the board, no one can stop him.

Tim Cook was the only person who could advise him, but even that was limited to financial and operational matters.

Jobs didn't listen to anyone when it came to development.

"Okay, I understand. We'll talk about the details later. But isn't the iPhone supply contract a priority?"

As I subtly changed the subject, Jobs' gaze shifted from me to the two groups in front of him.

Under Jobs' gaze, they began to focus again, turning over their papers.

I too began to read, flipping through the documents in front of me.

What on earth could have caused Verizon to back out of its supply contract?

Why did Apple insist on an exclusive contract?

That curiosity was resolved through documents prepared by Apple.

'You accepted these conditions?'

As expected, the faces of the people from Verizon and AT&T began to darken as the documents were handed over.

Apple's terms were that vicious.

"Everything I've seen is confidential. If you reveal it to anyone, I will take all possible measures to sue you."

Apple has a reputation for not disclosing any contracts it makes.

"Isn't this too much?"

Brian said, closing the papers.

"We are not a subcontractor to Apple, so there is no reason for us to enter into such a contract."

Brian was adamant that he could not accept Apple's terms.

Chloe also frowned as she closed the papers.

"I've never heard of such conditions."

In the United States, among carriers and manufacturers, carriers had an absolute advantage.

In particular, Verizon, the number one company, abused its exclusive position to commit bullying.

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They also demanded that mobile phones be used only by their company and pressured companies to develop products using specific technologies.

They also pressured manufacturers to supply devices at cheaper prices, and sometimes forced pre-installed software.

The most obscene of these was the policy of forcibly inserting the logo of a telecommunications company, called the Chuno Mark.

Taking advantage of their exclusive position, they made sure to put their logo on the front as well as the back whenever there was space to do so.

"So you're saying that neither side can accept our terms."

Jobs' discomfort was evident in his voice and facial expressions.

It was also from this time that formal politeness changed to informal speech.

"The reason I asked both sides to meet first is because the two companies are almost dividing the US market."

Both Brian and Chloe nodded.

The two companies had a monopoly on more than 60% of the mobile communications market.

However, the conditions Apple put forth were no different from a proposal to completely switch A and B.

"Hmm. This meeting ends here."

When Jobs took a hard line, both Brian and Chloe looked visibly flustered.

It seems like they tried to change the terms through negotiation, but that didn't work on Jobs.

"Timothy. I have an appointment with T-Mobile tomorrow."

"Don't do that."

"Tell him that we should sign an exclusive contract. Let's meet and discuss the detailed terms."

Jobs really seemed determined not to sign contracts with either carrier.

After he finished giving instructions to Tim Cook, he spoke to the two men again.

"You will regret it. For rejecting the terms we offered."

It was quite amusing to watch the faces of the two people hardening.

End

< I don't understand, that's why >