"Steve, how are our Win7 sales?" Bill Gates was sitting in the main seat in the meeting room with a cup of cold coffee in front of him.
"Just from the online downloads, the situation is not looking good. Our eCommerce CD sales are still lagging behind Lenovo Kingsoft. But if we look at the retail sales from the PC manufacturers, we are ahead. "Steve Ballmer replied.
Ballmer was Microsoft's third-largest shareholder and was also one of the directors, President, and CEO. He had a lot of shares and was worth more than 10 billion USD. He was about the same as Paul Allen.
Paul Allen sneered. "Our Microsoft is being overtaken by Hua Xia's products. I wonder how these people manage the company all these years."
The other directors were already used to the discord between Paul Allen and Ballmer. When the two of them quarreled, they never interfered. Only Bill Gates could calm them down, and no one else could.
Ballmer did not retort and continued. "Also, everyone must take note of one thing. Lenovo Kingsoft had made use of AMD, Nvidia, and Kingston's influence to sign agreements with those PC manufacturers. Even if our products are more popular, we will not be able to defeat Lenovo Kingsoft."
"But if Lenovo Kingsoft's products are more popular than ours, we will be suppressed. That's why I think we should enter the hardware industry. At least, we need to set up our own brand. Tablet PC is a good stepping stone."
Ballmer had been advocating for Microsoft to set up its own PC brand. He was the one who suggested the tablet. But it was a loss-making product, and Paul Allen had scolded him a lot.
"Didn't we sign an exclusive agreement with Sony? We can compete with Lenovo Group in the Asian market. We are also working with Dell, Hui Pu, and other brands in the US and Europe. There is no need for us to develop our own electronics brand. We are doing software. You must remember this. "Paul Allen reminded Feng Yu.
The PC manufacturers were not making money. Feng Yu could tell from the market value of those PC manufacturers. Lenovo, Dell, and Hui Pu combined were not worth as much as Microsoft.
"Furthermore, if our products are selling well, Lenovo Kingsoft will at most be the same as Apple. Their sales and profits will not be a threat to us. We are Microsoft, the world's top software company. Our operating system is the best in the world, and we have the most users in the world! "
Some of the directors had the same thoughts as Paul Allen. They still think Microsoft is the world's most powerful company, and Lenovo Kingsoft will be trampled by them.
Not only their PC operating system. When their new smartphone operating system is introduced next year, they will also control this market share.
Some of the directors had the same thoughts as Ballmer. They felt they should not underestimate their opponent, especially Feng Yu's company. All the companies that underestimate Feng Yu will be trampled by Feng.
Also, if Lenovo Kingsoft can form an alliance with HOS, then what if Lenovo Kingsoft also forms an alliance with XOS and releases some of its source code? How will Microsoft react? Feng of Lenovo Kingsoft.
Lenovo Kingsoft is the world's top PC manufacturer, and many of their products are trendsetters. Lenovo Kingsoft is the world's top PC manufacturer, and many of their products are trendsetters.
How can Lenovo Kingsoft ignore a company with funds, technologies, and creativity? Furthermore, Feng Yu is the biggest shareholder of AMD, Kingston, Nvidia, etc. Together, they will be able to influence the entire PC industry. How can Lenovo Kingsoft look down on them?
Bill Gates suddenly asked. "Everyone, do you think there is a need for Apple's operating system to exist?"
Everyone was stunned. The Chairman wants to destroy Apple?
"Have you ever thought about whether we can acquire the Fruit Company?"
Microsoft had no choice but to support Apple in the past. This is to prevent Microsoft from being forced to split up or even fined for monopolizing the market.
The Fruit Company can only occupy a small portion of the market share, and Microsoft can make lots of profits. Many of Microsoft's concerns are gone.
But with Lenovo Kingsoft's existence, Microsoft has a strong competitor in the software market. This competitor is much more threatening than Apple.
Microsoft no longer needs Apple to prove that they do not have a monopoly on the market. Also, Apple wants to compete with them and take away a portion of their market share. Why should Microsoft allow such a competitor to develop?
Apple's software is different from Microsoft's source code, but their software engineers are the best in the world.
If Microsoft can acquire Apple, it will be very important for Microsoft. Ballmer's plan to set up his own electronics brand will be completed, and it will be easier than creating his own brand.
Acquiring Apple is not in conflict with Paul Allen's idea, and Apple is worthy of being a subsidiary of Microsoft.
Apple's PC market share is not high, but it has some advantages in the office market. The other PC manufacturers will not object to Apple's acquisition.
This can also be used as a test to test the attitude of those PC manufacturers. With Lenovo Kingsoft, will those PC manufacturers still object to Microsoft becoming their own electronics brand?
Microsoft had been considering if they should acquire a mobile phone brand. If they were to set up a mobile phone brand now, they will not have enough time to set up a mobile phone brand. It will also be difficult to hire the relevant management staff. If Microsoft wants to set up a mobile phone brand, it cannot be too small.
When Microsoft was negotiating with Sony, they had thought of investing in Sony Ericsson. But after some consideration, they gave up on this idea. This is a joint venture between Sony and Ericsson. Unless Microsoft acquires the entire mobile phone brand, it will not help Microsoft expand its brand.
Acquiring the Fruit Company would solve all these problems.
Whether it's a traditional PC, a new tablet, a smartphone, or even a Super MP3 player, the Fruit Company has them all. They even have e-readers.
With the help of Microsoft's brand, funds, and technologies, Microsoft might overtake Wind and Rain brand. It might even overtake Lenovo brand.
Ballmer hesitated. "Bill, although the Fruit Company's sales are declining, our brand is still doing well in North America. We also have quite a bit of influence in Europe, and our profits are not bad. It will be too difficult for us to acquire them, and I am afraid the government will not approve of it. "
Paul Allen said. "What if we are like Feng Yu's subsidiaries and do not hold shares with each other? What if the shareholders are a group of people?"
Ballmer fell silent. This method seemed feasible, but would it succeed?
… …
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