San Francisco, Marriott. 旧金山,万豪酒店。 Today is the day that the third-generation Firefly player issues, in the hotel biggest banquet hall was similar to had such been filled with the honored guests and reporters from all parties last year. 今天是第三代Firefly播放器发布的日子,酒店最大的宴会厅内如同去年那样挤满了来自各方的嘉宾和记者。 Just, listening to Firefly electron CEO Victor Maikenai just new product to introduce that sat in Eric Larry Ellison quite somewhat was perfunctory applauds, collected to say very much deprecatingly: „Therefore, these, Eric? A bigger capacity, a longer continue voyage, as well as the consumer is very difficult the direct feel acoustic fidelity promotion? Said, if I am you, after release conference, I being responsible for the entire team of new product research and development will fire completely.” 只不过,听完萤火虫电子CEO维克多・麦克奈利刚刚的新品介绍,坐在艾瑞克身旁的拉里・埃里森颇有些敷衍地鼓着掌,很是不以为意地凑过来说道:“所以,就这些吗,艾瑞克？更大的容量,更长的续航,以及消费者很难直观感受到的音质提升？说真的,如果我是你,发布会之后我就会把负责新品研发的整个团队全部炒掉。” Eric looks is taking the stage Christina that starts middle place to perform Aguilera, a change of scene did not say: „If I such do, Sony and Philips even have Microsoft these to enter the digital music player domain company to belong to Le Fengdiao altogether. Larry, won't you have this idea?” 艾瑞克望着走上舞台开始中场表演的克里斯蒂娜・阿奎莱拉,头也不转地说道:“如果我这么做,索尼、飞利浦甚至还有微软这些一股脑想要进入数字音乐播放器领域的公司非乐疯掉不可。拉里,你不会是也打这个主意吧？” Larry Ellison discontented say|way: „Hey, your this fellow, I was worried for you. These many manufacturers must promote the digital music player this year, your team actually put out one generation not to have the mediocre product of fresh idea, you thought that the Firefly electron can also defend own superiority?” 拉里・埃里森不满道:“嘿,你这家伙,我可是在为你担心。这么多厂商今年都要推出数字音乐播放器,你的团队却只是拿出了一代毫无新意的平庸产品,你觉得萤火虫电子还能守住自身的优势吗？” „That gives a try,” the Eric corners of the mouth are having the happy expression, said: „Said that we have prepared the 100 million USD litigation expense, was waiting for lively and everybody brings a lawsuit.” “那就试试看啊,”艾瑞克嘴角带着笑意,道:“说起来,我们已经预备了一亿美元的诉讼费用,就等着热热闹闹地和大家打官司了。” „I thought actually you will violate the popular anger,” Larry Ellison grinning, has realized suddenly anything, looked at the watch, discovered that if like this finished, this time release conference time was also too short, therefore collects to say once more in a low voice: „Eric, has pleasantly surprised is right?” “我倒是觉得你们会犯众怒的,”拉里・埃里森咧了咧嘴,突然又意识到什么,看了看手表,发现如果就这样结束,这次的发布会时间也太短了一些,于是再次凑过来低声道:“艾瑞克,有惊喜对不对？” Eric shrugs: „Do you guess?” 艾瑞克耸耸肩:“你猜呢？” Then, the third-generation Firefly player that just issued truly has carried on another software and hardware promotion based on first two generations, cannot draw the attention of everyone the thing, no wonder Larry Ellison will feel disappointed, other reporters and honored guests on the whole are this feeling. 说起来,刚刚发布的第三代Firefly播放器确实只是在前两代的基础上进行了又一次的软硬件升级,并没有能够让人眼前一亮的东西,也难怪拉里・埃里森会感到失望,现场的其他记者和嘉宾大体上都是这种感觉。 However, this also absolutely is not because the R &\; D team of Firefly electron lacks the reason of innovation. 不过,这也绝对不是因为萤火虫电子的研发团队缺乏创新的缘故。 In fact, because Eric this powerful Boss momentarily is staring, even if the Firefly electron R &\; D team wants to idle is impossible, various new product creativities of every year taking are really many. 实际上,由于艾瑞克这位强势老板随时盯着,萤火虫电子研发团队即使想要懈怠都不可能,每年拿出来的各种新品创意着实不少。 When necessary, the Firefly electron momentarily can promote showy all touches the screen Firefly player or uses flash storage medium more miniature button Firefly player and other products. 如果有必要,萤火虫电子随时都可以推出让人耳目一新的全触屏Firefly播放器或者采用闪存存储介质更加迷你的纽扣式Firefly播放器等产品。 Eric does not want extremely in the product line of expansion Firefly electron, to do big pile of design varying prices to vary, but the function actually does not have much difference the digital music player to make the consumer have the choice difficulty sickness, then Basic Instinct tends to the price low design, draws the low Firefly electronic products the average selling price and overall profit. 只是,艾瑞克并不想太过于扩张萤火虫电子的产品线,搞出一大堆款式各异价格不一但功能却没有太大区别的数字音乐播放器让消费者产生选择困难症,然后本能地趋向于价格较低的款式,拉低萤火虫电子产品的平均售价和整体利润。 Moreover, Eric as well as the management of Firefly electron believes that company at present most vital duty, further improves and Firefly player related digital music store and user payment system and other peripheral ecology services, this is maintains the Firefly player market superiority most powerful ‚moat’. 而且,艾瑞克以及萤火虫电子的管理层一致认为,公司目前最重要的任务,还是进一步完善与Firefly播放器相关的数字音乐商店、用户支付体系等周边生态服务,这才是保持Firefly播放器市场优势最有力的‘护城河’。 So long as can help the user in obtaining the music content has convenient of far ultra similar product, even if the Firefly electron will be forced further outward to be authorized the related patented technology of MP3 player under the anti- monopoly pressure in the future, the competitor is also very difficult to threaten the Firefly electron the market niche. 只要能够让用户在获得音乐内容上拥有远超同类型产品的便捷性,即使将来萤火虫电子在反垄断压力下被迫进一步对外授权MP3播放器的相关专利技术,竞争对手也很难威胁到萤火虫电子的市场地位。 After performance of Christina, Tina Brown is on the stage, in the honored guest the vision of doubts and anticipation, formally starts to introduce miniature music store plan that the Firefly electron and Yahoo soon jointly will promote. 克里斯蒂娜的表演之后,蒂娜・布朗登上舞台,在现场嘉宾疑惑和期待的目光中,正式开始介绍萤火虫电子与雅虎即将共同推动的迷你音乐商店计划。 When on scene big silver screen presents the prototypical picture of miniature music store, Tina Brown formally has not even started the function to introduce that the scene presented the obvious tumult. 当现场大银幕上出现迷你音乐商店的样机图片,蒂娜・布朗甚至都还没有正式开始功能介绍,现场已经出现了明显的骚动。 After all, is only according to the contour, most people can guess the use of this model of machine easily. 毕竟,只是根据外形,大部分人都能够轻易猜测出这款机器的用途。 Afterward, when Tina when Brown starts carries on all touches the screen performance demon-stration, sharp-eyed media reporter started in secret outward to give the message. 随后,当蒂娜・布朗开始进行全触屏操作演示时,很多目光敏锐的媒体记者已经开始暗中向外传递消息。 Larry Ellison listens to Tina simply Brown had introduced several, once more collect a wool face, in the expression is having the probe: „Eric, the operating system of this model of machine is Microsoft custom-made?” 拉里・埃里森简单听蒂娜・布朗介绍过几句,就再次将一张毛脸凑过来,语气中带着试探:“艾瑞克,这款机器的操作系统是微软定制的吗？” Eric is somewhat accidental, Larry Ellison will grasp in such a short time the most essential point, says with a smile: „Do you guess?” 艾瑞克有些意外,拉里・埃里森会在这么短时间内就抓住最关键的一点,笑着道:“你猜呢？” Larry Ellison confirmed from the Eric expression own judgment, grins, in his shoulder has patted, immediately raises up a thumb: „Does well.” 拉里・埃里森从艾瑞克的表情中就确认了自己的判断,咧着嘴在他肩头拍了下,随即竖起一根大拇指:“干得好。” Eric smiled once more, has not spoken several covering up words desirably. 艾瑞克再次笑了笑,也没有刻意说几句遮掩的话。 Larry Ellison cannot get used to seeing Microsoft this matter to be well-known, saw that on the Firefly electron miniature music store presents a brand-new operating system, naturally thinks that Eric this is plans to challenge the Microsoft Windows operating system the market niche, how can not be excited. 拉里・埃里森看不惯微软这件事是众所周知的,看到萤火虫电子迷你音乐商店上出现一款全新的操作系统,自然以为艾瑞克这是打算挑战微软Windows操作系统的市场地位,如何能够不兴奋。 If the time proceeds to push again for five years, Eric may have this idea, but now, along with the issue of Windows98, Microsoft did not have to shake in the hegemonic position of PC operating system domain, Eric naturally does not have the thoughts to make the attempt that this being doomed can be defeated, his vision closely has stared in the future motion operating system domain. 如果时间再往前推五年,艾瑞克或许会产生这种想法,但现在,随着Windows98的发布,微软在PC操作系统领域的霸主地位已经无可撼动,艾瑞克自然没心思去做这种注定会失败的尝试,他的目光一直都紧紧盯在未来的移动操作系统领域。 The Firefly electron miniature music store the new generation M-200 music cell phone that this release conference brings goes far beyond pleasantly surprised should most receive to pay attention to the third-generation Firefly player as well as Nokia that simultaneously issues. 萤火虫电子迷你音乐商店给这场发布会带来的惊喜远远超过本应该最受关注的第三代Firefly播放器以及诺基亚同时发布的新一代M-200音乐手机。 The release conference ended, in the Internet media and same day evening news started to present the news about Firefly electron miniature music store fully, some media have also made with Larry the Ellison similar guess, many people telephoned to the Firefly electron and Yahoo high level afterward probe, could not have sat still including Microsoft, front door schoolmate's that evening time telephoned to Eric, has probed obliquely. 发布会结束,互联网媒体和当天的晚报上就开始铺天盖地地出现关于萤火虫电子迷你音乐商店的消息,一些媒体还做出了与拉里・埃里森同样的猜测,随后很多人都打电话给萤火虫电子和雅虎高层进行试探,连微软都没有坐得住,大门同学当天傍晚的时候就打电话给艾瑞克,拐弯抹角地试探了一番。 However, discussion of outside to miniature music store actually slightly cannot let the Firefly electron and Yahoo high level felt that is too excited. 不过,外界对迷你音乐商店的热议却丝毫没能让萤火虫电子和雅虎高层感到太多兴奋。 Eric catches up with San Francisco from Los Angeles at noon, release conference 2 : 00 pm starts, the honored guests who four o'clock conclusions, majority of will also keep start to anticipate that the tonight's entertainment cocktail party, Eric and Firefly electron, Yahoo as well as Nokia and other high levels actually have to rush to Firefly electron Headquarters to hold the conference. 艾瑞克中午才从洛杉矶赶来旧金山,发布会下午两点开始,四点钟结束,大部分还会留下来的嘉宾都开始期待今晚的招待酒会,艾瑞克和萤火虫电子、雅虎以及诺基亚等高层却不得不赶到萤火虫电子总部召开会议。 „Seagram group internal a large part of shareholder and high level originally to the Universal the cooperation of phonograph record and Firefly electron have been full of the anxiety, now, this company 12 billion USD total debt scale, makes them have to carefully treat creditor's demand, the opposite party terminates and our negotiations also in the reason. Now, the Universal phonograph record, the Warner phonograph record and Sony phonograph record excluded, we only then the final hundred generations of phonograph record and BMG phonograph record two chose.” “西格拉姆集团内部很大一部分股东和高层本就对环球唱片与萤火虫电子的合作充满了疑虑,现在,这家公司120亿美元的总负债规模,也让他们不得不谨慎对待债权人的诉求,对方终止和我们的谈判也在情理之中。现在,环球唱片、华纳唱片和索尼唱片都已经排除在外,我们只有最后的百代唱片和BMG唱片两个选择了。” In the conference room, Eric is listening to Bill Olsson introduced that current situation, simultaneously is reading front material. 会议室里,艾瑞克听着比尔・奥尔森介绍目前的情况,同时翻看着面前的资料。 Couple days ago, heard the Universal phonograph record to refuse to continue the news that carried on the authorization to negotiate suddenly, Eric was also surprised. Therefore he also hurries back Los Angeles from the east coast, once more and Edgar Bronfman met, will promise that can enhance 1.5 billion USD to the loan amount of Seagram group. This is increases price high, wants to come Edgar that Eric is willing to give Bronfman expected value originally probably is also so. Just, Edgar Bronfman as before has not actually relented. To come, obstructed the influence of Firefly electron and Universal phonograph record cooperation secretly has made the preparation. 前几天,陡然听到环球唱片拒绝继续进行授权谈判的消息,艾瑞克也大感意外。为此他还匆匆从东海岸返回洛杉矶,再次和埃德加・布朗夫曼见了一面,将许诺可以给西格拉姆集团的贷款金额提高到了15亿美元。这是艾瑞克愿意给出的最高加码,想来埃德加・布朗夫曼原本的期望值大概也是如此。只不过,埃德加・布朗夫曼却依旧没有松口。想来,幕后阻挠萤火虫电子与环球唱片合作的势力做出了充分的准备。 The Warner phonograph record and Sony phonograph record were excluded from the beginning, now, lost Universal phonograph record highest-quality latent operation target, the Firefly electron on only remaining Europe hundred generations and BMG two big Record Company can strive. 华纳唱片和索尼唱片一开始就被排除在外,现在,失去了环球唱片这一最优质的潜在合作对象,萤火虫电子就只剩下欧洲的百代和BMG两大唱片公司可以争取。 Bill Olsson said that Tina Brown said: „The decline aspect of phonograph record profession is still continuing, I thought that the Universal phonograph record, is the Warner phonograph record or the Sony phonograph record, sooner or later must consider to the issue of digital music player reforming.” 比尔・奥尔森说完,蒂娜・布朗道:“唱片行业的衰退局面还在持续,我觉得,无论是环球唱片,还是华纳唱片或者索尼唱片,早晚都必须考虑向数字音乐播放器转型的问题。” „Key is, we may not have the time to wait for that now they reform on own initiative, the company needs to complete the layout in content as soon as possible.” “关键是,我们现在可没有时间等待他们主动转型,公司需要尽快完成内容方面的布局。” „Perhaps, we can focus in quantity many middle-and-small Record Company, although the strengths of five big phonograph records are very strong, but these middle-and-small Record Company contents are also very rich.” “或许,我们可以将目标放在数量更多的中小型唱片公司身上,虽然五大唱片的实力很强,但这些中小型唱片公司的内容也是非常丰富的。” „The most outstanding singer and phonograph record in five big phonograph record hands, we collect 100 phonograph records from small company, not necessarily can be as good as the influence that under five flags a popular singer phonograph record brings.” “最出色的歌手和唱片都在五大唱片手中,我们收集100张来自小公司的唱片,都不一定抵得上五大旗下热门歌手一张唱片带来的影响力。” „The Firefly Records back street boy and spice girl combine them to the digital music store to bring certain influence, we need to give the user to choose now.” “萤火虫唱片的后街男孩、辣妹组合他们已经能够给数字音乐商店带来一定的影响力,我们现在需要给用户更多选择。” „......” “……” The Eric audience person discussed that gains ground, asked that sits in meeting table diagonally opposite Bill Olsson said: „Bill, what that side the Europe two companies have to respond, you thought that these two, which is easier to strive?” 艾瑞克听众人议论了一阵,抬起头,问坐在会议桌斜对面的比尔・奥尔森道:“比尔,欧洲那边的两家公司有什么反应,或者,你觉得这两家,哪一家更容易争取一些？” Bill Olsson smiles bitterly saying: „Hundred generations toward digital music sale authorization are desolater than beforehand Universal with the attitude of BMG . Moreover, they should have the contact in secret, they very obvious have formed the offensive and defensive alliance, we can only simultaneously strive for their two, also gives up.” 比尔・奥尔森苦笑道:“百代和BMG对数字音乐销售授权的态度比之前的环球还冷淡,而且,他们私下里应该有过接触,他们很明显已经形成了攻守同盟,我们只能同时争取他们两家,或者,同时放弃。” In the conference room somewhat is immediately silent. 会议室里顿时有些沉默。 After the moment, Victor Maikenai said: „Eric, actually, solves the method of this matter is very simple. Major Record Company basically want to slice from the digital music player. Therefore, you only need to agree to transfer the stock of part of Firefly electrons, the aspect of present bitter experience was easily solved.” 片刻后,维克多・麦克奈利道:“艾瑞克,其实,解决这件事的方法一直都很简单。各大唱片公司基本上都只是想要从数字音乐播放器里分一杯羹而已。所以,你只需要同意转让一部分萤火虫电子的股份,我们现在遭遇的局面就迎刃而解了。” The pencil in Eric hand transferred in referring, shakes the head slightly, said: „Victor, this is not simple.” 艾瑞克手中的铅笔在指间转了一圈,微微摇头,道:“维克多,这可一点都不简单。” „Eric, I understand that you have very great anticipation to the Firefly electron, our not deficient fund, the achievement grows is similarly strong, this is our superiority. But we have to face up to our inferiority, we need the partner. Moreover, even if you think that this company will meet value 100 billion USD in the future, even 200 billion USD, but we must handle affairs now according to the Firefly electron 30 billion USD estimate values and influence, this is the reality.” “艾瑞克,我明白你对萤火虫电子有着很大的期待,我们不缺乏资金,业绩增长同样非常强劲,这都是我们的优势。但我们也不得不正视我们的劣势,我们需要合作伙伴。而且,即使你认为这架公司将来会价值1000亿美元,甚至2000亿美元,但我们现在也必须按照萤火虫电子300亿美元的估值和影响力去行事,这才是现实。” „But, everybody should be clear, the product of Firefly electron, absolutely incessantly is the Firefly player.” “但是,大家应该清楚,萤火虫电子旗下的产品,绝对不止是Firefly播放器。” Initially transferred company Vice Chairman Jeff of responsible Firefly electronic supply chain from Nokia Klaiber lifted the hand, attracted under the attention of people, then looked to Eric, said: „Eric, your meaning said that the Firefly player, regarding the Firefly electron is actually not most important, I remember before you, indicated excessively similar viewpoint.” 当初从诺基亚转来负责萤火虫电子供应链的公司副总裁杰夫・克莱贝尔抬了抬手,吸引了下众人的注意力,然后看向艾瑞克,道:“艾瑞克,你的意思是不是说,Firefly播放器,对于萤火虫电子来说其实并不是最重要的,我记得你以前曾经表述过类似的观点。” Eric nods, said: „Although the Firefly player at present is almost the Firefly electron complete profit origin, but as well as has not promoted the MD player that will face eliminates like the cassette tape recorder completely, this model of product in future in five to ten years, will possibly be substituted by the new portable music player carrier, for example, cell phone.” 艾瑞克点点头,道:“虽然Firefly播放器目前几乎是萤火虫电子全部的利润来源,但就像卡带式录音机以及还没有完全推广开来就将面临淘汰的MD播放器一样,这款产品在未来五到十年内,很可能会被新的便携式音乐播放载体所替代,比如,手机。” „That, Eric, my actually solution,” Jeff Klaiber said: „We can the Firefly player divestiture, establish an independent subsidiary company, then outward seeks the partner who we need in the name of this subsidiary company. Thus, other Firefly electron latent business agencies will not be disturbed. Even, if such as you said really that the Firefly player is doomed to be eliminated, we even can also let go of the leverage this service in the peak, naturally, if you are willing to sell.” “那么,艾瑞克,我倒是有一个解决方案,”杰夫・克莱贝尔道:“我们可以把Firefly播放器业务剥离出来,成立一家单独的子公司,然后再以这家子公司的名义对外寻求我们需要的合作伙伴。这样,萤火虫电子其他潜在业务部门并不会受到干扰。甚至,如果真的如你所说,Firefly播放器注定会被淘汰,我们甚至还可以在最高点将这一业务脱手套现,当然,如果你愿意卖出的话。” In the conference room, hears Jeff Klaiber's these words, the vision of all people for it one bright, Eric rotated the finger of pencil also to stop. 会议室内,听到杰夫・克莱贝尔的这番话,所有人的目光都为之一亮,艾瑞克转动铅笔的手指也停了下来。 In fact, only then can promote the Firefly player fast, Eric did not mind that shares part of profits to several big Record Company, but, buys stock the Firefly electron regarding Record Company directly, Eric actually resists. Regarding can see future him clearly, ARM Corporation as well as many that the Firefly electron has with tablet PC and smartphone related technology team, is this company most valuable property, the Firefly player regarding the Firefly electron, is more like a transition product. 实际上,只有能够快速推广Firefly播放器,艾瑞克并不介意分享一部分利润给几大唱片公司,只不过,对于唱片公司直接入股萤火虫电子,艾瑞克却是非常抗拒。对于能够清楚地看到未来的他来说,萤火虫电子所拥有的ARM公司以及多个与平板电脑和智能手机相关的技术团队,才是这家公司最宝贵的资产,Firefly播放器对于萤火虫电子来说,更像是一个过渡产品。 Jeff Klaiber's suggestion, made Eric have a feeling of suddenly seeing the light. 杰夫・克莱贝尔的建议,也让艾瑞克产生了一种豁然开朗的感觉。 Strips alone the Firefly player service, tenable subsidiary company, not only can solve the problem that the Firefly electron currently faces, even can also carry on the independent listing operation the Firefly player. 将Firefly播放器业务单独剥离出来,成立子公司,不但可以解决萤火虫电子目前面临的问题,甚至还可以将Firefly播放器进行单独上市运作。 After all, on Hearst party Henry Paulson's that words, although has something else planned, but a little yes right, has the management and staff of Firefly electron stock, hopes that the company can go on the market, to obtain a richer net worth, this demand regarding anybody indisputable. 毕竟,赫斯特家派对上亨利・保尔森的那番话虽然别有所图,但有一点却是没错,持有萤火虫电子股份的高管和员工,都希望公司能够上市,以获得更加丰厚的身家,这种诉求对于任何人来说都无可厚非。 Drew a circle with the pencil in front material slowly, Eric has considered the moment, immediately with, in the circle center has selected, looked up to the people, said: „, Such manages, now, everybody discussed how should carry out specifically.” 缓缓用铅笔在面前的资料上画了一个圈,艾瑞克斟酌了片刻,随即用笔在圆圈中央点了下,抬头望向众人,道:“那么,就这么办,现在,大家讨论具体该怎么执行。” In banquet hall of Marriott. 万豪酒店的宴会厅内。 The time is evening's nine o'clock, although in the banquet hall the person's shadow sways, appears very lively, but in the crowd as before inexplicably atmosphere unceasingly are actually spreading. 时间已经是晚上九点钟,宴会厅内虽然人影攒动,显得非常热闹,但人群中却依旧有一股莫名地气氛在不断蔓延。 Because, until now, should be the Firefly electron several core high levels of host does not have the road surface, only then public relations department Manager of Firefly electron acted to manage the beginning of party. In order to entertain honored guests from all parties, the banquet of Firefly electron sponsor appears very attentive, various aspect details are impeccable, the honored guests do not have too many discontented places actually, but in the heart is bringing more and more strong curiosity, many people more than once look to the banquet hall entrance, anticipated that the Firefly electron high-level form appears, attended the party media reporter even to hide in the corner, started to contact to the outside, tries to inquire exactly what happened. 因为,直到现在,本应该是东道主的萤火虫电子几位核心高层都没有路面,只有一位萤火虫电子的公关部门经理出面主持了派对的开场。为了招待来自各方的嘉宾,萤火虫电子主办的这次宴会显得非常用心,各方面细节都无可挑剔,嘉宾们倒是没有太多不满的地方,只是心中带着越来越浓重的好奇,很多人都不止一次地望向宴会大厅门口,期待萤火虫电子高层的身影出现,一些出席派对的媒体记者甚至躲到角落里,开始向外界进行联络,试图打探到底发生了什么事情。 So crossed for a half hour, the banquet hall entrance, the people raise the head a numerous form that to hope to appear finally, guests who cannot repress completely in abundance to come up. 如此又过了半个多小时,宴会厅门口,众人翘首以盼的一众身影终于出现,完全按耐不住的宾客们纷纷为了上来。 Eric fell behind the people some little time to enter the banquet hall, at this time Victor Maikenai and the others already by crowd regarding in central, but, Eric just entered the banquet hall, by Larry Ellison seized: „Eric, said quickly with me that exactly what happened, didn't you present me almost to report to the police?” 艾瑞克落后了众人好一会儿才进入宴会厅,此时维克多・麦克奈利等人都已经被人群围绕在中央,只不过,艾瑞克刚刚进入宴会厅,还是被拉里・埃里森逮住:“艾瑞克,快和我说说,到底发生了什么事情,你再不出现我差点就要报警了？”