Chapter 229: Da Mi Joined the Star Alliance

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Da Mi launches 100% domestic mobile phone through the night.”

The next day, this news became a hot search topic and the center of debates for many netizens. It turned out that Da Mi Company had released the second “100% domestic” mobile phone at 12 midnight. This was done with no warning, no publicity to warm up the responses from potential audiences, and no invitation to the launch event. As the launch event was prepared in a hurry, there were not even a few Powerpoint slides to accompany the demo. The few hundred or so audience members were all Da Mi staff. However, due to the lack of copy and scripts for the speech, Lei Xiao Jun’s performance onstage was messy and incoherent.

Hence, this launch was called “The Most Inadequately Prepared Launch Ever.”

Even so, the 100% domestic phone that was introduced during the launch had some pretty good specs and performance all around. It was called “Guomi 1.” It was also installed with the SX-800 CPU, LPDDR4 memory chip from Purple Ray, UFS storage from Da Jiang, a 5.99 inch OLED screen from Crystal Oriental, as well as other domestically produced components. The screen to body size ratio of the phone was as high as 92% The battery capacity was 4,2000 mAh. Besides the normal version of 4+64GB memory, there were two other versions with higher end specs at 6+64GB and 6+128GB.

They were also sold at “friendly” prices of $1,119, $1,399, and $1,599 respectively. There were three colors available, “National Red,””Dream Blue,” and “Lucky Yellow.” Pre-orders with unlimited stock had also begun, and consumers could make a purchase right now.

But… Nobody paid any attention. A few hours after sales of the product started, less than 1,000 units of the “Guomi 1” were sold. On the contrary, it was faced with ridicule all over the internet.

“Lei Xiao Jun, until now, do you not know the reason why Da Mi is still so weak? It has always been a follower, never a trendsetter, that’s why it’s fated to be weak.”

“If you announced this launch just one day earlier, you would have sold billions of it.”

“No, no, no. Guomi 1 is not a ‘pure domestic’ phone. It’s still installed with the unsafe Android system. I won’t buy it.”

“The price is really competitive. But the Android system… Forget about it. I will never buy it unless it’s installed with the Star Cloud system!”

“Sorry. I’ve already purchased the Red Pepper. I have no spare cash on me now.”

“Brother Lei, don’t be sad. I’ll play ‘Chilly’ to console you.”

The vast majority of netizens roasted the Da Mi Company for being “extra.” They did not look upon the Guomi 1 with favor.

It was a flop. The fire in Lei Xiao Jun’s heart chilled. However, he did not give up. Instead he made a call to ask for a last ditch rescue plan. “Brother Chen. Do me a favor and help me this time!” Lei Xiao Jun was wailing in despair over the phone.

Chen Jin said, “I’ve given you the opportunity, Brother Lei. How do you want me to help you now?”

With Da Mi’s technological ability, it was entirely within their realm of power to launch the first 100% domestic phone ahead of Tiny Pepper. In the end, they lost the initial advantage due to various concerns. He could only blame himself for that. Lei Xiao Jun said helplessly, “Yes, yes, yes. I was wrong. I act like a blind man even though I have eyes. It’s all my fault. But the mobile phone sector is the lifeblood of Da Mi, I can’t suffer any losses in this sector! The death of the Da Mi mobile phones would also mean the death of the company. Hundreds of thousands of employees would lose their jobs… Brother Chen, please understand the difficult position I’m in. Sometimes, I’m really at a loss of what to do!” One could not always do as he liked in this world. He was no exception. Billions of Android software and Da Mi mobile phones formed a critical link in the ecosphere of Da Mi’s products. These products had entered countless households and enabled them to enjoy a wonderful, smart lifestyle. Their entire product ecosphere was based on Android. How could Da Mi free themselves from Android overnight?

Even though Da Mi mobile phones were not profitable for the company, it was true that they formed the core of the company’s business. Once the core was lost, everything would still be pointless no matter how rich the array of products that Da Mi offered was. He could not overturn the deeply rooted foundations of the company that had taken more than 10 years to establish simply on a whim. This was a perfect example of the inflexibility that was inherent in a big company. The reason why Google dared to charge money for its Android system was because of this dependence that one could not easily free himself from. However, now that Google’s greedy side had been exposed, the Star Cloud system from Xing Hai Technologies would be the death blow for Da Mi.

It was too terrifying how the pre-orders for Red Pepper Z1 exceeded ten million units in a day. In the year of 20X0, the total number of smartphones sold in Z country was only 380 million units. Of those 380 million units, 11% were Da Mi phones. However, the first half of the new year had passed, and so far, the total quantity of Da Mi phones sold in the country had not even reach 20 million. This showed the downturn in the smartphone market.

But the first 100% domestic mobile, Red Pepper Z1, created such a terrifying sales volume. Ten million units were sold within a day. This was equivalent to 50% of Da Mi’s total mobile phone sales in six months. When Lei Xiao Jun saw the sale statistics, his entire soul trembled. At the same time, he gained new understanding of the patriotism the citizens felt towards their country. And then what he felt was regret. But it was too late for regrets! Had there been any need to worry over the ecosphere of Da Mi’s products when he could have achieved this sales number for himself? Why did he have so many concerns and worries in the first place?

“Ah…” Chen Jin said with utmost seriousness, “Brother Lei, if you trust me, then immediately do as I say. If you don’t trust me, then only death remains for your Da Mi company.”

“Quickly say it! I trust you, Brother Chen!”

“First, you need to issue an apology to the infinite number of netizens and take out the ‘100% domestic’ or ‘pure domestic’ from the official description of the Guomi 1. You need to be more honest. You’re still using the Android system in Guomi 1, how can it be called a ‘100% domestic phone’? It’s better to call it the ‘100% domestic hardware phone.’ We can’t lie to the consumers.”

“Ok, ok. I will apologize. I will make adjustments and apologize as soon as possible!”

“Then, you’ll announce that Da Mi will join the Star Alliance and work with Xing Hai Technologies to create a real 100% domestic phone that is installed with the Star Cloud system. Only with this will the consumers buy into your product and the sales of your mobile phones can be saved. Otherwise, your market share will only continue to dwindle to nothing.”

“This…” Lei Xiao Jun hesitated as some concerns continued to plague him.

Chen Jin said helplessly, “Brother Lei, can you please have some backbone? Da Mi is not a small-scale company. Billions of Da Mi mobiles are sold all over the world every year. Da Mi has capital, technologies, and strength. What can Samsin and Google do to your company after Da Mi has joined the Star Alliance? They’ve witnessed the power of the Star Cloud system. Would they do anything to push you away from them and towards us? You’ll be benefiting from both sides. If you don’t believe me, you can try taking a stronger stance against them and see how Samsin and Google react.”

“Yes, yes! You’re right!” Lei Xiao Jun had an epiphany. He silently thought, I’m just joining the Star Alliance to meet the needs of the domestic consumers. It’s not stated that Da Mi will have to stop using components supplied by Samsin or to give up the Android system. It’s not necessary for them to behave so agitatedly. If they force Da Mi into a corner… They’ll be the ones to regret their actions. He immediately responded, “Brother Chen, I’ll listen to your advice! I’ll announce that Da Mi will join the Star Alliance this instant and produce a 100% domestic phone for real!”

Chen Jin nodded.

…

On the very same afternoon, an apology was declared on the official Weibo of the Da Mi Company as well as Lei Xiao Jun’s personal Weibo. They sincerely apologized to the vast numbers of consumers for misleading them about the Guomi 1, which was not a 100% domestic phone as they had claimed. Then, they announced that they had joined the Star Alliance. They would not let down their “Mi Fans,” and planned to produce a real 100% domestic phone.

The majority of netizens responded positively to these two announcements.

“Not bad. He has a sincere attitude.”

“It’s not too late to make up for it.”

“Cheers. I’ll buy it for sure when they produce a real 100% domestic phone.”

Chen Jin posted a comment on Weibo too. “Everyone, please give Brother Lei another chance. I’m sure he will not disappoint you again.”

Even so, less than two hours later, Chen Jin suddenly received an urgent call!

Ling Jundong said in a hurry, “President Chen. The Goreans have taken action. From today onwards, Samsin is reducing the prices of all its core components, including their RAM memory chips, NAND storage, OLED screens and more! The prices are reduced by 30% or more. Prices of their memory chips have plunged by a dramatic 50%. President Chen, this is bad news!”

A gleam shone from Chen Jin’s eyes. “Is the ‘Law of The Downswing’ finally coming into play? The news comes at an opportune moment!”

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