Agriculture Maniac

Chapter 431 Obi, Pandora's Box
Silicon Valley, California.

California is a Democratic stronghold.

When old Smith was in charge of Vanguard, Silicon Valley became famous all over the world due to the accumulation of financial capital, and then the Internet bubble was triggered by financial manipulation.

Later, Bush took control of Vanguard and built Silicon Hill in Austin, Texas, the base of the Republican faction. He also implemented tax exemptions for Silicon Hill's high-tech companies, and Silicon Valley began to decline.

Until now.

Although Silicon Valley still has a large number of companies and related practitioners as high as 22, most of the world's famous companies have moved to Silicon Hill in Austin, making this place look particularly desolate and deserted against the backdrop of winter.

1 month 30 number.

The blond handsome guy Robert rode his mountain bike into the industrial park as usual.

He is 26 years old and used to be a programmer at Obi. His dream is to become like Bill Gates.

Obi is also called Obi Worldphone.

The founder was John Sculley, the man who drove out Apple CEO Steve Jobs, became the CEO of Apple, increased Apple's market value from $8 million to $80 billion, and then was driven out of Apple again.

Another boss is Robert Brenner, who is both his uncle and Apple's former director of industrial design.

So out of admiration and trust, Robert worked at Obi for two and a half years without pay.

Then he was fooled by Scully and his uncle into auctioning Obi, who had no bidders. He used all his savings of $3.5, plus a $100 million loan he got by mortgaging his parents' house during the hot real estate market, to buy the auction for Obi.

Then, Scully and his uncle disappeared, and Obi was in debt of 2000 million US dollars.

Until now, Robert's head is still buzzing.

He didn't believe that Scully and his uncle had conspired to deceive him.

But half a month passed and there was no news from the two.

Obi also received a loss warning from Nasdaq because its stock price was below US$30 for 1 consecutive trading days.

If the share price fails to recover within 10 days, Obi will be delisted.

Once delisted, Obi would only have three offices, a work computer, and a landline phone left, and Robert would never be able to make a comeback...
In other words, Obi was a "shell company" that Sculley created by leveraging his identity as the "former Apple CEO" and his personal charm to raise funds, go public, and build.

Almost nothing.

Robert tore off the receipt for electricity bill on the office door in a daze, took out the key to open the door, and started the computer.

He didn't know what to do next.

I don’t even know where my parents’ house has been taken away by the bank. Where will the family of three live...
Thinking.

A notification about Obi's stock price rising popped up on the computer desktop.

Yesterday, Obi stock fell below $1, with a total volume of 500 million shares. When it opened today, the trading volume reached 750 million shares (some people bought and some sold, and the trading volume was greater than the total number of shares).

At the same time, the stock price also rose to US$1.5.

If he sold the 30 shares he had, he could get $60 if someone bought them.

Robert will definitely sell it.

But before I could take any action, several emails popped up in my mailbox.

"Hi, Robert, I met Scully a few days ago. He said he has handed over the company to you. Obi Worldphone will be launched soon. I am looking forward to your new work!"

"Hello, Robert, I saw your design and it's great, but the price of $280 is beyond my spending power. If it's $180, I'm willing to pay for it."

"Robert, I think the Obi Worldphone should be designed like this, picture.jpg"

"???"

Robert's computer was offline for more than ten seconds, and he muttered to himself, "Are Uncle and Scully back?"

Although Obi nominally produces mobile phones, computers, graphics cards, memory, etc.

They even launched concept phones and announced relevant certifications.

But that was all Sculley's empty promise to shareholders.

In fact, Obi has nothing except concept machines, prototypes and certificates.

so···

"what happened?"

With doubts in his mind, Robert logged into the forum section created by Obi on Yahoo.

Obi's stock price plummeted, and the forum was lively for a while, but then gradually became quiet and eventually lost its popularity.

Maybe no one posts for three or five days.

But today...

1.5 posts.

47 replies.

The amount of interaction with other forum sections, such as link jumps and post reposts, reached 395 million.

And about two-thirds of them are paying users of Yahoo (like big V certification).

Robert felt his throat go dry and quickly scanned a few posts.

The first thing that catches your eye is the Obi concept phone that Sculley and his uncle launched in order to deceive investors.

Although Sculley and his uncle were just making big promises, they knew that if they wanted to further boost the stock price in the future, they would have to produce the real thing.

Therefore, the design of the concept phone is not too outrageous. It is slightly better looking than the currently popular large-screen 3G mobile phones, and tends to be rounder than Apple's style, just like the Mac designed by his uncle Robert Brunner for Apple (refer to iPhone 2G).

However, this product, which was once praised by investors but later spurned by them due to its plummeting stock price, is now praised by even more netizens.

Even as time went by, in just half an hour, the number of posts, views, clicks, and support continued to rise.

Robert was at a loss for a long time, then a light bulb went off in his head and his breathing suddenly became rapid.

With trembling fingers, he tapped the keyboard and posted:
“If it were to go on the market, would you really buy it?”

"Buy it, I will definitely buy it, I can pay a deposit!"

"I am also willing to pay the deposit, the full amount!"

“Where to send money?”

The Internet started early in North America, and the related financial industries also tended to be mature long before the Internet bubble.

Donations, crowdfunding, orders... As long as it can be done, capitalists can basically do it in a fancy way.

Robert can set up the ordering option on the Obi official website without having to find a financial institution.

However, Obi has been warned by Nasdaq and included in financial supervision, and the deposits paid by netizens will never be received by them.

Without funds, there can be no production.

Robert stared at the rapidly increasing order volume: 200, 3000, 1.3, 2...
It feels like the dream is getting closer and closer, but I just can't catch it.

Suddenly.

The forum backend sent a prompt to add friends.

"Hi, Robert. I'm from Jamaica's Big Ponzi Semiconductor Company. We mainly manufacture Broadcom and Qualcomm chips. We have also obtained the connection authorization of the Sanyuan Communication Network. We hope to reach a cooperation with you. Don't worry, in America, our products are of high quality and low price. If you are interested, please reply as soon as possible."

Immediately afterwards, there were several prompts to add friends.

"Hello, Robert, I am from Xiao Pangzhi Mould Company in Ecuador. We have unparalleled equipment shell production capabilities in the industry, with high quality and low price..."

"Hi, Robert, I'm Fat Paper Semiconductor from Venezuela, mainly engaged in IPS screen panel supply and tuning..."

"Hi, Robert, I'm from the Mexican subsidiary of Soupan, mainly engaged in 18650 lithium-ion electronics, ternary lithium batteries..."

"Hi, Robert, I'm from the Mexican Zhenfat Company, which mainly deals in micro motors, micro microphones and loudspeakers..."

The fat black man is famous all over the world, and his recent ban from the Sydney Olympics sparked heated discussions around the world.

It’s not surprising that so many companies with similar pronunciations to Fatty have suddenly emerged.

Robert printed out the emails, counted them, and was surprised to find that if he gave the business to them, he could really piece together an Obi Worldphone.

The only thing missing is an operating system.

However, in order to fool investors, Sculley and his uncle brought in their good friend Andy Rubin to act as a front, and announced that he was responsible for leading the team to develop the operating system for the Obi concept phone.

Andy Rubin worked as an engineer at Apple and led the team to create the Magic Cap, but because the design was too advanced and not accepted by the market, Rubin lost his job.

Later, Rubin joined Artemis to research robots. Then the company was acquired by Microsoft. However, the robots were hacked and almost got out of control. The team led by Rubin was put into cold storage and became unemployed again.

After Sculley and his uncle brought Rubin over, Obi's stock price skyrocketed and Rubin got a share of the money, but Rubin knew that Obi was a shell company.

So I left Obi and opened a convenience store downstairs from my office. While doing business, I also gave temporary classes at Stanford University in Silicon Valley and researched the Android system.

Robert stood up suddenly, hurried downstairs, and kicked open the door of the convenience store, "Uncle Reuben?"

"What, kid, I don't have any money."

"I'm going to post it!"

"Yes, I think you're going crazy. Don't worry, I won't let you live on the streets. If you have nowhere to go, you can work as a cashier in a convenience store, but I can't support your parents..."

"No, it's the Obi worldphone. In just ten minutes, the orders have reached 2 units."

"Child, are you still asleep?"

"Really? I've received a lot of cooperation emails from suppliers. I calculated the cost, which is about $120. If we sell it for $160 to $200, minus taxes, we can make $30 to $50 per unit."

"Hahaha, you should go to the hospital."

Robert pulled Rubin up without saying a word and dragged him upstairs.

Rubin looked at the forums, stocks, emails, and the order volume exceeded 5.

After a short silence.

“God, are you kidding me?”

Rubin sat in the computer chair and quickly tapped the keyboard to call up the background data.

Forum friends' IPs come from all over the world.

The ordering customers are concentrated in America.

As the founder of Android and a top hacker, Rubin found a newly registered user on the forum without thinking and tracked him down.

next moment.

Personal information, Chinese Singaporeans, bank statements, Malaysia travel photos, Mexican bikinis...

Rubin changed his target.

Personal information, medical insurance bills, photos of the Shili Mall lease agreement...
Rubin changed targets again.

Personal Information, Tijuana Cartel Employees···
Continue changing targets.

Personal information, Indian reservation...

Rubin tracked more than 30 people in a row, and finally collapsed into his computer chair, "It's all true."

Robert was just a rookie programmer and didn't understand what it meant, "Uncle?"

"You know, Obi is fake and it's impossible for him to attract so many people, but why does this phenomenon happen?"

"Could it be that Scully and my uncle have returned?"

Rubin shook his head. "They are in huge debt in Las Vegas and are being targeted by gangs on the US-Mexico border. How dare they show up again?"

"Casino?" Robert wanted to curse the two gamblers who cheated him, but then he thought of the matter at hand, "Uncle, can you install your terminal operating system on Obi? Don't worry, I will give you a share. Let's sign the contract."

Rubin thought for a moment and said, "I've heard your uncle talk about your dream. I can help you, but my system is not yet mature. After being implanted in the terminal device, it takes up a lot of hardware resources and has poor operating stability. In addition, due to its high openness and freedom, it needs to introduce security protection software and needs continuous optimization."

"What are the advantages?"

“Higher openness and freedom mean better compatibility. As long as you adapt, I can run your software, making it easier to build an ecosystem similar to the three-series service and bundle users.

In addition, occupying more hardware resources means that the hardware is used more frequently. As you know, any hardware has a lifespan, which means speeding up the iteration of equipment, which is conducive to our launching new machines and creating more revenue. "

Rubin finished, "But we must find a strong capital group to endorse us. Otherwise, after we become big, we will soon be acquired and kicked out, just like Apple's Joe, Sculley, your uncle... Even if you can come back, you will no longer hold Obi's original shares in the future. Of course, this is your dream. If you don't want to dream, after we become big, we can sell Obi, divide the money, and go our separate ways."

"I choose dreams!" "Then let's see if the chips provided by suppliers can support my system."

The so-called operating system is actually a program that realizes "human-machine interaction".

The program is divided into two types.

One is active.

For example, I have a tractor and I want it to run on its own.

At this time, you need to first build an automated device to replace manual operation, and then build a driving computer for this automated device. Finally, write a program for the driving computer and a UI page so that you can understand it.

The path is: Device → Automation → CPU → Operating System → UI.

Products include: industrial robots, three series of weapons, three series of handheld game consoles, and Mac OS.

Because the system is customized and perfectly fits the equipment without excessive redundancy, the system is extremely small, consumes less power, and has excellent battery life.

The disadvantages are: it is not compatible with external applications, and after the device expands its functions, if you want to use the new functions, the operating system must also be upgraded, and the subsequent research and development costs are high.

The other is passive.

The essence of a computer is nothing more than a logic circuit.

As for chip architectures, there are only a few at present, including Intel X86, Tri-Series Electronics ARM, embedded MIPS, industrial RISC-V, and the single instruction multiple data simultaneous parallel processing SIMD that was newly born with the graphics card matrix.

Then, based on these architectures and referring to the universal Linux kernel, I created a universal operating system that will be compatible with all devices on the market.

It can be used on both computers and mobile phones.

This means that many small companies that are "unable to develop systems" can create their own products simply by adjusting the UI page.

On the contrary, you can also develop equipment based on some of the functions of my system and sell it directly.

The path is: My system → Get the instruction set I provide → Translate into machine language → Select X86, or select ARM, or select other, design CPU, design equipment → Make UI.

The advantages are: low commercialization costs, give me some money, you get the plan, and all you have to do is find a OEM factory, assemble your own product, and then make it compatible with most applications on the market, and then you can sell it directly.

The disadvantage is: my system is universal and the code covers all architectures. If you only use X86 chips, the codes related to ARM and other architectures will become redundant, but you cannot delete the redundancy because the entire system is integrated. Therefore, the system is larger in size, occupies more hardware resources, and is easy to mix in X86, resulting in bugs, jams, freezes, etc., wasting power.

Products include: Windows system, 3G mobile phone and other systems.

And the Android that Rubin had yet to perfect.

Rubin's original intention was to create a system between "active" and "passive".

Because wearable devices have appeared in the three series of handheld game consoles.

The active operating system is small in size and does not change much when combined with a wearable system.

Passive operating systems are large in size, and with wearable systems, there is more redundancy, and their shortcomings will be infinitely magnified. In the future, the phenomenon of freezing and crashing will become more serious.

However, capital monopolized too many areas, and no one gave him the opportunity to promote Android.

If Obi was missed, who knows if Android would be forever dormant in the computer of this convenience store.

···
After Rubin learned about the configuration and chip architecture of Obi Worldphone, he was basically sure that it could be equipped with Android. The problem was...
“We have a lot of component suppliers, but how do we assemble a mobile phone?”

Robert flipped through the email. "There is an assembly plant in Mexico. Each phone only costs 15 to 20 US dollars, and Mexican products are shipped to North America without tariffs."

Rubin didn't know whether this was a coincidence or a conspiracy, but at this point, who can resist money?

He immediately took out all his savings as start-up capital.

"Let's do it!"

three days later.

A package was mailed to Obi's office.

Robert and Rubin couldn't wait to unpack and take out the Obi Worldphone, which has a round appearance and an overall metallic texture.

“Very beautiful!”

“This is simply not something of this era.”

Since the assembly plant did not get the Android data package, this phone currently does not have an operating system.

Rubin immediately connected it to the computer and flashed the firmware.

After completion, you can install the small program you made by imitating the three-series application in your spare time.

Including alarm clock, notepad, drawing, compass, network FM...
As for browsers, GPS, and map services, this requires contacting the corresponding companies.

However, there were several partners in Robert's email.

For example, Obi uses Broadcom RF chips and Tri-Series RF chips, can use 3G services, and can also connect to the Tri-Net communication network.

After connecting to the Sanyuan Communication Network, mobile phone manufacturers can submit the device code and apply for free installation of the Sanxi Map App and Sanxi Navigation App. However, if mobile phone users want to use more services of these two programs, they need to pay for the activation themselves, which has nothing to do with the mobile phone manufacturer.

All of this is thanks to the cooperation between Federal Capital and Sanyuan Agriculture.

After Rubin learned this, he made adjustments to the initial installation, produced the pre-installed system for the mobile phone, and then sent it to the assembly plant.

Robert sent the first generation Obi Worldphone, referred to as Obi-1, to the Obi section of the forum.

next moment.

The number of hits on the post exceeded one million, the number of posts increased visibly, and the number of orders rose to 8, 10, 12...

Followed by.

Obi's stock price soared from US$1.5 to US$3, US$5, US$8...
Robert has been following Apple's former CEO Sculley and former designer - his uncle - for so long. Now he has the help of Rubin, the former Apple system designer. Even in the early stages of his business, he must position his products and package his own personality.

He thought about it for a long time.

"The high-end market has three series of handheld game consoles and 3G mobile phones. Not only can we not squeeze in, but we are also vulnerable to attack."

Rubin nodded. "Yes, your uncle was kicked out of Apple because the shareholders thought your uncle had taken away the cake of Microsoft and Intel. They were afraid of death, so they had to invite Steve back."

"Then we won't compete with them. We will grab the low-end market and focus on cost-effectiveness. It just so happens that the economy is in a downturn and income is falling, which is very suitable for winning over a large number of fans."

"Yes, I think so."

Robert immediately posted the configuration and price of Obi-1 on the forum, "We make mobile phones not to make money, but to be friends with consumers who support Obi."

In an instant, there were over ten thousand replies.

There was a handsome black guy who was so moved that he burst into tears.

There are wanderers who swear to only buy Obi in their lives.

There are girls willing to dedicate themselves...

soon.

Obi was featured in the New York Times and became an instant celebrity.

···
the other side.

North American Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Researchers stood in front of a large screen and explained to Bush, Smith, Rumsfeld and the head of the NSA through remote video the recent data fluctuations in the world's Internet.

"Although Sanyuan Agriculture has never disclosed the computing power of the three-series graphics card matrix to the outside world, video memory is the basis of computing power, and computing power is the foundation of AI models."

"It can be said that the larger the AI ​​model, the higher the computing power required and the higher the memory capacity required."

"At the same time, the more users use AI models, the more network support is required and the more data resources are occupied."

"According to our research, after the release of the three series of handheld game consoles, the power consumption of the Sky Garden-Yellow River supercomputer has gradually increased."

"Because when users of the three series of handheld game consoles use the game consoles, each device will occupy 1.5B computing power and 2G video memory."

"Although some people use it occasionally, some use it all the time, and new users join in 24 hours, the power consumption curve is very smooth."

“The corresponding power generation and power consumption.”

"The more people use it, the more electricity the Yellow River Supercomputer consumes."

“During this period, the power generation in the Shiliying area increased by 12.77%, indicating that the power consumption also increased by a similar proportion, but the production capacity in the Shiliying area did not change dramatically.”

"Almost at the same time, the world's Internet saw data fluctuations, the number of users increased, and many forums saw a large number of new registered users."

“We tracked the IP addresses of some newly registered users. Although they are scattered all over the world, there is a strange phenomenon…”

"For example, this 'Walker', he hasn't been offline for two weeks."

"For example, this 'Dani', she went online and offline every 20 to 33 minutes on average for two weeks."

"For example, this 'Doraemon', he posted an average of one post every 33 seconds for two weeks."

"For example, this 'Xiaobu' attracted 10 million new users within 300 minutes of his registration."

“Although the above phenomenon is common in the world’s Internet, they are all new users.”

“From this, we can see that they are most likely the product of the Yellow River supercomputer, AI virtual identity + generative AI.”

"If this phenomenon continues, it will give people the false impression that the Internet is very developed, and then our financial economy will expand rapidly and form a bubble."

The financial economy is a matter of life and death for Old Smith.

So Old Smith dragged the mouse with a serious face and clicked 'Danni'.

The NSA immediately pushes detailed personal information.

Dani, female, 25 years old, unmarried, from California, used to be a waitress in a cafe. Later, by chance, she became a dispatched salesperson in Shili Mall. Later, Sanyuan Agriculture withdrew its investment, and she rented two stores in Shili Mall, selling down jackets and oriental clothing.

Most importantly, this is a supporter of the Democratic faction!
It is also connected to the Ten Mile Mall in California, and Dani can be seen selling goods with the help of surveillance cameras.

Old Smith lit up his cigar. “You said this is AI virtual identity + generative AI?”

The technician was extremely surprised, but still firmly guessed, "Yes."

Old Smith clicked 'Doraemon' again.

Taikoo, male, 31 years old, married, a Japanese-American from California, was once an engineer at Mitsui Industries Shipyard. He joined the Tijuana Group four years ago and is currently the technical director of Tijuana 006 Shipyard.

Old Smith had authority over the Tijuana Shipyard and connected to the surveillance there on the spot.

Taiko was seen directing a group of technicians to improve the technical drawings of North America's new generation of warships.

And switch monitoring again.

Taiko's wife, a Japanese woman, and daughter were strolling around the Shili Mall.

“Is this AI avatar + generative AI?”

"···"

“Are you planning to classify all those who support the Democratic Party as virtual people and invalidate their votes?!”

Old Bu knew that this matter involved the fundamental interests of both parties, "It must be the technician who made a mistake."

The technician's face turned red and he wanted to verify it again, but was signaled to leave by Rumsfeld.

Old Smith doesn't care about virtual humans or generative AI.

The rise of emerging technology companies led by Obi has brought new vitality to Nasdaq.

Moreover, Silicon Valley is the ATM of the Democratic faction. If he doesn't protect Silicon Valley, does he want to protect Bush's Silicon Valley?
Old Bush knows about generative AI, but he does not believe in virtual people. After all, personal information is related to the network of contacts. Once there is any falsification, the NSA will definitely be able to discover it.

The NSA found nothing...

Unless the NSA abandons the Republic and joins democracy, or goes along with all three.

The problem is, this is simply not possible!
You know, it was old Smith who made the democratic news media report extensively that the head of NSA was locked in the NSA headquarters by the graphics card matrix, and that he crawled out clumsily with his butt sticking out like a hamburger.

The two have long been incompatible.

So, the technician must have made a mistake.

Old Bu also lit up his cigar. "This must be a misunderstanding, but we have come together today to discuss the cooperation between Sanyuan Agriculture and Persia. It is reported that Persia has agreed to transfer 23% + 40% of its resources to Sanyuan Agriculture for 10 years."

Old Smith said coldly, "Then kill the current ruler of Persia."

"That's what I mean too."

(End of this chapter)