Chapter 226: Launch of the First Phone Model
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
At 7 pm on July 3rd, people entered Shang Hai Stadium in droves. Journalists representing hundreds of media companies had been sent there. Tens of national review organizations flocked there. One after another, they entered the stadium that could hold up to 100,000 people. Although there was one more hour until the event started, nearly all the seats were occupied… One could tell the antic.i.p.ation and pa.s.sion these people had for this event.
This was the first mobile phone that was 100% domestically produced. It was installed with a domestic operating system and used only domestic components in its hardware. This was something that had never been done in the world. But they did it. No matter what the performance of the phone was like, its existence had a great significance.
As the start of the event approached, the number of non-live audiences rapidly exceeded tens of millions as they tuned into the event across various platforms.
Coincidentally, the national senior high school entrance exam and the college entry exam had both ended in succession. Summer holidays had begun. It was a rare sight that the students were not playing games likes “King’s Pesticides” or survival games. Instead, they were quietly sitting in front of a computer or mobile screen, waiting for the launch event that was about to begin.
In a particular internet cafe, Su Zipeng and his cla.s.smates sat in a row in front of the computers. They had finished their games and were waiting for the livestream to begin.
The discussions on Weibo were intensifying as people were caught up in debates everywhere. There were at least tens of millions of people focusing on this ordinary product launch.
…
In the preparation area backstage, w.a.n.g Xiaoyan was decked out in a s.h.i.+rt and western-style pants. Chen Jin, who was remotely operating his double, noticed that he seemed somewhat nervous. His face was flushed and his hands were sweaty. Holding his flashcards, he paced back and forth in a restless manner.
Chen Jin asked, “What happened? You look nervous.”
w.a.n.g Xiaoyan replied, “A… A little. I’m afraid that I won’t do a good job on stage.”
Chen Jin said, “With 100,000 in the live audience and tens of millions more viewers watching the livestream, the intensity of this focus is comparable to that of a wedding night. It’s normal to be nervous.”
A tremor went through w.a.n.g Xiaoyan’s body and he forced a laugh. “President Chen, I’m even more nervous after hearing your words! Even some overseas VIPs might be watching this. If I show that I am guilty or timid, and I stutter, they will despise and dismiss us. We will fail to gain honor for ourselves.” In an instant, w.a.n.g Xiaoyan became grave and he clenched his fists.
Chen Jin patted his shoulder. “The audience is more interested in the product, not you as a person. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Treat the audience like they are air. Introduce the product according to the flowchart that you’ve arranged. Then think about how the product will gain honor and dignity for our country. You’ll be ok as long as you’ve achieved these points.”
w.a.n.g Xiaoyan nodded fiercely. “Hmm, I understand, President Chen.”
…
At 8 pm sharp, the launch event began and the lights in the stadium dimmed. At the back of the stage, the big screen lit up and a short video was played. A table was placed in the middle of an empty room. At least 200 mobile phones were arranged neatly on the large surface of the table. They included overseas brands like Fruit and Samsin flags.h.i.+ps, as well as domestic brands like Huawei, Da Mi, OV, Meihong, and others that were manufactured in the country.
These models had uniformly achieved great success in the past few years on the market. They were well-liked by consumers. All of them were representatives of exquisite craftsmans.h.i.+p, advanced technology, and innovation of the highest level.
The camera swept across these phones. The narrator sighed with emotion and said, “How perfect are these products. Each of them are works of art in their own way. They make me sigh in appreciation. Compared to these phones, the new product that is about to be introduced is not even worth mentioning. I would even say that there is no need to put it out in front of an audience to showcase its ugliness. Its existence is superfluous. Hence, the event tonight can be described as an ‘unnecessary event.’ So why do we still insist on making a mobile phone product? Let’s do a simple test. We’ve set up completely different pa.s.swords for unlocking the screens on these phones, changed the pa.s.swords for mobile payment, and placed several encrypted files in these phones.”
Hundreds of people appeared on the screen as they set up or changed existing pa.s.swords on the mobile phones. Then, they took videos, photos, and created files on the phones.
“We’ll begin from this Fruit mobile.”
The scene was fixed upon a Fruit X model.
“Unlock the screen… Open the camera alb.u.m… Set up the phone recording… Ok. Now, we’ll be going into Taobao Mall to get something for ourselves. Select Alipay. Hm, we need the pa.s.sword for mobile payment. Then, let’s autofill the form. Purchase is successful.”
“Wow!”
“F**k!”
“How was this possible?!”
A commotion could be heard amongst the live audience. Countless people were so shocked that their eyes rolled comically and their mouths hung open!
There was n.o.body operating the Fruit X mobile in the screen. The screen unlocked, opened the camera alb.u.m, and went through the mobile payment and other actions simply based on the voice of the background narrator. It was as if an invisible hand was controlling the phone, causing one’s hair to stand on end. Many Fruit mobile models were continuously broken through.
The narrator tried out some Android phones. They were unexpectedly obedient to his voice commands as well. The narrator could do whatever he wanted, from the screen unlocking to mobile payments.
The narrator said, “This video is bound to cause a lot of controversy. We will announce the system vulnerabilities related to iOS and Android. Those who are qualified can proceed with your own inspection and verification, but please do not violate the law! I also hope that Fruit Company and Google Corporation will plug these system loopholes as soon as possible. No need to thank me. I’m Lei Feng, by the way. We’re back to the question at the very beginning. Why do we insist on making a mobile phone? Why do we insist on creating a mobile operating system that solely belongs to us? It’s not to prove how awesome we are! And it’s also not to fan the patriotic flames in the hearts of the audience. We have only one simple purpose. And that is to make a phone that completely belongs to us, is secure, and useful! That is all.”
The video ended.
Loud music echoed across the stadium. Wearing an in-ear microphone, Chen Jin walked up to the stage in great strides. The product launch had officially begun.
However, none of the audience, no matter if they were at the stadium or viewers of the livestream, was paying any attention to the event. They were having intense discussions on the bullet screens or other various forums.
“Oh my mother, this is too terrifying!”
“There’s no secret that can remain a secret.”
“Was that a genuine mistake or was a deliberate backdoor created by Fruit and Google?”
“There’s an 80% to 90% probability that they are backdoors! Fruit Corporation and Merica’s military have a very close partners.h.i.+p. Google frequently proclaims that they will ‘never commit any unethical activities’, however, they still have publicized plenty of advertis.e.m.e.nts on fake medications. Google had joined the ‘PRISM’ project of Merica’s National Military Intelligence Bureau way back in 09. Neither of those companies are good.”
“I really want to throw my f**king phone away. There are backdoors everywhere!”
“Disgusting! The f**kers are fanning the flames of anxiety just to sell their products. There are just some things that a company shouldn’t do.”
Someone immediately replied to the above post, “Haha, even if Xing Hai Technologies is fanning the flames of anxiety for their own profit, at least they’ve found the backdoors and have broken the codes on those phones. In any case, I will never purchase a Fruit mobile or an Android mobile. You can continue to use them if you think that it’s safe to do so.”
The audience and netizens were discussing intensely amongst themselves.
The introduction of Red Pepper Z1’s main functions was drawing to an end as the event moved towards its last phase, the announcement of the prices. The audience finally became alert and they focused their attention back to the stage.
“Then, what’s the selling price for such an awesome product? Rest a.s.sured, everyone, we will not let your patriotic feelings go to waste. As the pioneer product in its own category, it is likely that some issues might crop up when using it. By selling it at a ‘friendly price,’ we hope that we can have some of your understanding in exchange when it comes to certain areas that you might find disappointing. And now for the price!”
Chen Jin’s voice dropped to a lower octave. A rumble could be heard. A price list appeared on the big screen. There were a total of two versions.
Red Pepper Z1, 4+64GB version, was selling for $999.
Red Pepper Z1, 4+128GB version, was selling for $1,099.
There were three colors to choose from: Patriotic Red, Starry Blue, and Woeful White. Prices were unaffected by the colors.
Everyone was stunned.