I’m in Hollywood

Five years ago, the reason why Microsoft was willing to cooperate with Yahoo was mainly due to the fact that Yahoo's browser, a breakthrough software product, could promote the promotion of Microsoft's next-generation desktop operating system.

However, when windows95 was a big success and Microsoft Windows system dominated the world, Bill Gates gradually felt that Microsoft had suffered a big loss in this cooperation with Yahoo.

Yahoo browser took advantage of the wind of windows95 and quickly monopolized the graphical interface browser market, but Microsoft only got a promise that could not be fulfilled in the short term.

Therefore, Microsoft has had the idea of ​​tearing up the contract more than once.

However, in the first period of time, Bill Gates still had the idea of ​​annexing Yahoo due to the influence of the 30% forward equity subscription rights that Eric threw out, and he was a little hesitant about tearing up with Yahoo.

In the following years, with the outbreak of the Internet wave, Microsoft realized that the original contract even became a constraint for Microsoft to follow the trend and expand its Internet business.

Although Yahoo browser is the default browser of the windows system, the control of this software has always been in the hands of Yahoo. Through the traffic guiding function of the network interface of Yahoo browser, Yahoo Portal has dominated more than 70% of the Internet portal market, and has gradually created Yahoo's current market value of more than 170 billion US dollars.

In contrast, Microsoft's msn portal has received little help from yahoo's browser.

However, when it realizes this, it is too late for Microsoft to tear itself apart from Yahoo.

Through Yahoo's technology alliance and tens of thousands of patent barriers, Yahoo's advantages in Internet business have been deeply rooted.

Five years ago, if Microsoft refused to cooperate with Yahoo and developed its own GUI browser alone, even if it would be a year and a half behind Yahoo in terms of time, it could still create a brand new standard and Yahoo competes.

But now, Yahoo's series of technical standards have been used on millions of Internet sites. Even if Microsoft is powerful, it will not be able to regain the initiative in the Internet field that it has fallen behind for five years.

It can be said that the cooperation plan with Yahoo five years ago was definitely the most important decision-making mistake of Microsoft, which has been going smoothly over the years. Even within Microsoft, there are some criticisms against Bill Gates himself who personally decided on this cooperation.

Many people think that if Microsoft can independently develop a graphical interface browser, relying on its own monopoly advantage on the operating system platform, many of Yahoo's glory at this time should belong to Microsoft.

After testing each other, after Amy Adams brought the lunch for the two, Bill Gates picked up the cutlery and cut a piece of steak in front of him, and then he gradually revealed his cards.

Although the 30% forward equity subscription contract has become tasteless, Microsoft does not intend to give up easily. It must get enough benefits from Yahoo and even the Firefly system.

Eric, you really don't want to sell Yahoo shares to Microsoft, do you?

Of course not, Eric nodded and said with a smile: However, after the transaction, whether it is getting 50 billion US dollars in cash or 10% of Microsoft's shares, it is very cheap for me.

Looking at Eric's smile at this time, Bill Gates suddenly thought of the situation many years ago when he took advantage of the loophole in the contract with Apple to launch the windows system and was scolded by Jobs viciously after he launched the windows system.

Although the attitudes of the two people are very different, the uncomfortable feeling in Bill Gates' heart is exactly the same. Turning his gaze to the food in front of him for a moment, Bill Gates still couldn't find a suitable word to describe Eric at this time.

Of course, if he has studied Chinese, he may be able to easily find some appropriate adjectives from the profound Chinese, such as black belly.

He cut another piece of steak casually, but Bill Gates did not pick it up with a fork, but raised his head and said: Eric, Microsoft has a three-month hesitation period, but judging from the current situation, Nasdaq It is absolutely impossible for the index to last for another three months. Once the Nasdaq collapses, Yahoo’s stock price will definitely fall deeply. At that time, Microsoft will not need 50 billion US dollars to buy 30% of Yahoo’s shares. For the current For Microsoft, it is very easy to raise one or two billion dollars in cash.”

Even if there are ten or two billion dollars, it's not bad. Eric shrugged, put away his smile in a blink of an eye, and said with a serious expression: Bill, in my opinion, cooperation between Yahoo and Microsoft is the best win-win situation. Mode. So, what do you want, why don’t you just say it?”

Bill Gates was stunned for a moment, but still quickly said: Eric, Microsoft can give up the equity subscription agreement in its hand, but the condition is that Firefly Electronics must stop the research and development of the yos system. As compensation, Microsoft can specifically provide Yahoo! A customized operating system platform for mini music stores.”

Since 1996, Yahoo has started to develop the yos system based on some of Steve Mitnick's original operating system ideas and Eric's mobile operating system concept, and y is naturally the initial letter of yahoo.

Although the project was transferred to Firefly Electronics before Yahoo went public, the name of the system has not changed.

After three years of silent research and development, coupled with the simultaneous advancement of hardware projects such as arm chips and capacitive touch screens, Firefly Electronics now has a very mature set of tablet computer technology.

Since Eric could not be satisfied with many details, in order to achieve the goal of excellence, Firefly Electronics is not in a hurry to release tablet products.

However, based on a series of technical achievements of Firefly Electronics in the past few years, the mini music store has already begun to be officially promoted.

In fact, when discussing the mini music store plan, the executives of Firefly Electronics considered Microsoft's possible reaction to this brand new operating system. Now, as expected, Microsoft is really wary of yos, and it's not just a general wariness.

Moreover, this vigilance happens to be very accurate.

The yos system is related to Eric's industrial layout for the entire mobile Internet era in the future. Even if he loses 30% of Yahoo's shares, or even immediately turns against Microsoft, it is absolutely impossible for Eric to stop the research and development of the yos system.

However, in the restaurant at this time, Eric just smiled noncommittally and said: It seems that you really did a lot of work in advance.

Of course, Bill Gates nodded, Microsoft will never underestimate any competitor.

Since this is the case, Bill, you should know that this is an electronic device that integrates software and hardware. It is impossible for Microsoft to provide a customized system for Firefly Electronics' mini music store in a short period of time, and it is impossible for us to stop and wait for Microsoft. .”

Microsoft has obviously considered this situation, and Bill Gates said directly: Eric, Microsoft can acquire the yos R\u0026D department of Firefly Electronics, so that the problem you mentioned will not occur. I guess Firefly Electronics must be We intend to follow Apple’s previous development model of software and hardware integration, but the facts have proved that this extremely closed model is simply not feasible.”

I actually don't agree with Steve's closed model of software and hardware integration. However, I also think that the road is made by people. If you don't agree with it, it doesn't mean that this business model cannot be successful. Eric said, shaking his head firmly, and said: So, Bill, Firefly Electronics will not stop the research and development of yos, let alone sell the yos system to Microsoft. I really hope to continue to cooperate with Microsoft. But this condition is not acceptable, perhaps, you can consider some other requirements.”

What about the Yahoo browser? Bill Gates stared at Eric, and said, Eric, the restrictive clause in that contract expires next month, and Microsoft can launch its own browser at any time. browser, exclude Yahoo browser from the windows system.

With a smile on the corner of Eric's mouth, he said, Bill, what do you mean, as long as I agree to transfer yos, Microsoft can continue to keep Yahoo browser as the default system?

Bill Gates said: Of course.

Eric continued to ask: Are you planning to give up msn completely?

Bill Gates was not so straightforward this time, he hesitated for a while, and said: If the contract is re-signed, Yahoo browser will definitely tilt the traffic towards msn.

Eric spread his hands: So, this is another thing, Bill, I know that after five years of technical digestion, Microsoft can immediately launch its own graphical interface browser without any obstacles, but it certainly cannot technically Compared with Yahoo browser. Moreover, Microsoft has enough antitrust lawsuits now, I don’t think you will be willing to add another browser monopoly. Then, continuing to cooperate with Yahoo is the best choice.”

Bill Gates finally got a little impatient in his tone, and said: Eric, you have been talking about cooperation, but I only see Yahoo's unilateral request, and there is no sincerity in your words.

That's because you put forward conditions that I can't accept at all. So, let's change it to another one, such as Yahoo browser. As long as I continue to maintain the status of the default browser of windows, I can agree that Yahoo browser will tilt the traffic of msn portal. In addition, What do you think about the fact that Yahoo can also pay Microsoft an annual fee to pre-install the software?

If the two sides continue to maintain cooperation in browsers, charging Yahoo for software pre-installation fees is originally within the scope of Microsoft's consideration.

But now, Eric first proposed it, which has become a condition of cooperation offered by Yahoo.

Bill Gates was even more depressed, and he actually understood in his heart that Microsoft was completely in a passive position at this time due to the original miscalculation. Eric doesn't care about the equity subscription contract held by Microsoft at all, because Yahoo will not suffer no matter whether Microsoft executes it or not. In his view, what Microsoft can really use as a bargaining chip is the pre-installation permission of Yahoo browser on the windows platform.

However, within Microsoft, there are also great differences on continuing to cooperate with Yahoo. Many executives advocate cutting off all cooperation with Yahoo immediately, launching its own browser, and fully supporting Microsoft's msn portal business.

Although he has always controlled Microsoft's dominance, Bill Gates' control over the software company is actually not as strong as it seems to the outside world.

One of the most obvious features is that Microsoft has now produced very obvious signs of big company disease.

The most fundamental reason for the characteristics of large companies, such as bloated organization, slow response, and divided interests, is the power struggle within the company. If Bill Gates still maintains absolute control over Microsoft, many of these ills can be avoided. .

Eric, you have to understand. After hesitating for a moment, Bill Gates said again: Windows is a platform of Microsoft. On this platform, Microsoft will always have the final say on how to formulate rules.

This is already a very obvious threat.

Eric still nodded tepidly: Of course, Bill, of course I understand, so I want to continue to maintain a cooperative relationship with Microsoft.

Bill Gates finally couldn't restrain himself and raised his voice: But you don't have any sincerity to cooperate!

Hearing Bill Gates' sudden outburst, Eric glanced at the food in front of him with a slight frown. Although he didn't see the saliva flying over, he still lost his appetite completely. He put down the tableware and said, Bill, we all Adults, don't be like a child who rolls on the floor crying when he can't get a toy, okay?

In fact, there have been some other executives of the Firefly system who came to eat in the restaurant. Hearing Bill Gates' sudden outburst and Eric's tone as if he was teaching a child, some people couldn't help laughing even though they suppressed it as much as possible. speak up.

Bill Gates' face suddenly felt a little uneasy, and he also put down the tableware, and said with an ugly face: Eric, it seems that we don't need to continue talking.

Eric nodded: Calm down, why don't we make an appointment tomorrow?

Bill Gates twitched the corner of his mouth, and said coldly: I will return to Seattle in the afternoon, and Microsoft will send someone to communicate with Yahoo for the rest.

Eric said very well: That's okay, you can call me anytime if you have anything to do, you know my phone number.

Watching Bill Gates walk away, Frank Wells, who had been sitting nearby just now, came over with a cup of coffee, and said with a smile, The talk didn't go well?

Eric looked at the rectangular dining table in front of him for a moment, called Amy over, and asked her to give him a new lunch, before answering Frank Wells: Gates is used to being strong, and he wants to use chips that are not enough. In exchange for what Microsoft wants, do you think I can promise him?

As a useless contract, it is a pity to discard it. Even if Yahoo does not agree to any conditions from Microsoft, the other party has a probability of more than 90% that it will voluntarily give up.

As for Yahoo browser, with the development of user habits and the various advantages of Yahoo browser itself, unless Microsoft completely blocks this software on the windows platform, otherwise, even if it loses its status as the default browser of windows, Yahoo browser can still be used. Easily maintain a market advantage for a long time.

In a few years, with Yahoo's further expansion in the Internet field, the role of Yahoo's browser as a portal interface will no longer be so crucial. Even now, Yahoo's portal and Google's search engine rely on Yahoo's browser. Sex is not so strong anymore.

Although he is the president of the Firefly Group, Frank Wells also has an understanding of the cooperation between Yahoo and Microsoft. He asked, If this is the case, will it be troublesome?