Chapter 756: Because We’re the Major Shareholders

The iPhone was unveiled to the world two years earlier than in my past life.

It was released faster, and yet it was far more polished than the initial models I remember.

It was probably thanks to Dream High buying up all the related patents, allowing them to be used.

The developer tools released alongside it also received praise from developers.

The tools allowed anyone to create apps for the iPhone, and the App Store was launched simultaneously.

Although it required Apple’s review, the major advantage was that anyone could sell their apps through the App Store.

In my past life, the iPhone was ignored by users due to a lack of applications.

However this time the quick release of the developer tools and the App Store raised people’s expectations.

The success of a smartphone depends on how many applications it has. The more developers get involved, the more successful the iPhone will be.

After the iPhone was released, major media outlets all published articles about it.

[Apple Unveils Revolutionary iPhone: A Game Changer in the Mobile Industry.]

[Steve Jobs Introduces the iPhone: A New Era of Communication Begins.]

[iPhone: Apple’s Latest Innovation Redefines the Smartphone.]

The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post all praised the iPhone as revolutionary in their headlines.

Most of the reactions were positive, but there were some negative articles too.

[Steve Jobs’ iPhone: A Grand Deception.]

[Tech Experts Concerned: The iPhone Will Fail Due to the Absence of a Physical Keyboard.]

[Apple’s Expensive iPhone: Is It Worth the Price?]

However, because the overall atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive, these negative articles failed to gain much attention.

[The Developer Praised by Jobs: Who Could They Be?]

There were even articles speculating about who Jobs had called first when he unveiled the iPhone.

While the name Charlie was known on Wall Street, it was a stretch to connect it with the development of the iPhone, so the speculations were nothing more than that.

It was ironic that this was being published by a tabloid owned by Murdoch.

* * *

After the event, I left the venue and headed straight to Apple’s campus.

Though I’d visited Apple’s campus several times, it always felt new.

The faces of the Apple employees on campus were full of anticipation and excitement.

Most of them might not have known about the iPhone, but now that it was public, it was only natural to give all employees one for testing.

“You must be Charlie.”

Tim Cook greeted me, extending his hand. I took his hand and shook it gently while greeting him.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Charlie.”

“Let’s go inside. Jobs will be here soon.”

“Yes, let’s.”

I followed Tim Cook to a conference room.

Several people were already gathered inside.

Everyone’s attention was on Tim Cook and me. They were staring at me as if they were trying to figure me out.

Tim Cook spoke quietly, so only I could hear him.

“These are people from AT&T and Verizon.”

It seemed like they were there to negotiate the iPhone supply contracts.

Did they see me as a competitor?

Tim Cook led me to a seat opposite them.

The center was left empty. It must be Jobs’ seat.

My seat was on the left side of the center and Tim Cook’s on the right.

I sat down and looked around again.

Verizon, the number one telecommunications company in the U.S., and AT&T, the number two…

I already knew the result.

‘AT&T got the exclusive contract didn’t they?’

I didn’t know the exact details of the contracts, but I remembered that AT&T had the exclusive contract in the U.S.

Apple has always sold their products from a position of power, contracting with the second largest telecom company. They used similar strategies in France and the UK as well.

I wondered if they would sign an exclusive contract with the second largest company again this time.

I thought about my past life as I picked up a pastry from a tray with coffee.

‘Why are they staring at me like this?’

The people from both companies were closely observing my every move, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

I set the pastry down and gave them a warm smile.

“Is there something on my face? You’re all staring too much.”

The first person to answer was a man from Verizon.

“I’m Brian from Verizon. I’m the sales director.”

“Nice to meet you, Brian.”

“What qualifications do you have to be here?”

Everyone else perked up their ears, seemingly curious as well.

“I’m here representing Dream High. We’re the major shareholders of Apple, so it’s only natural for us to be here, don’t you think?”

“Ah. My apologies.”

I simply nodded at Brian’s apology, not making a fuss about it.

Everyone knew that Dream High was Apple’s major shareholder, so they seemed to understand why I was there.

I had only learned about this meeting after entering the room, but there was no need to mention that.

“Of course, Jobs will be fully in charge of the contracts. I’ll just be watching, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

Tim Cook glanced at me, but I pretended not to notice and smiled at Brian.

Everything was up to Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, and Tim Cook, who was responsible for finances.

Just then, the door opened and Jobs entered. His face was full of smiles.

“Ah, everyone’s here.”

Jobs, taking a seat, asked the people in front of him.

“What did you all think of today’s presentation? I mean, the iPhone that we created.”

Before the question was even finished, Verizon’s Sales Director Brian answered.

“It was shocking. If it works as well as it did during the demonstration, I think it will make history in the smartphone market.”

A woman from AT&T nodded in agreement.

Then, she took out a Blackberry smartphone from her small handbag and said:

“This is the Blackberry I use.”

She smiled holding the clumsy-looking Blackberry smartphone.

“Normally, I felt that this model was quite useful compared to other smartphones, but after seeing the iPhone today, my thoughts have completely changed. This is trash.”

Blackberry was a company that dominated the North American smartphone market.

Having seen the evolution of smartphones in the future, I didn’t think it was worth calling that a smartphone, but at least it was a high-status product now.

“It’s an insult to compare such garbage to our iPhone. They are completely different devices.”

She quickly nodded at Jobs’ blunt remark.

“I’m not comparing it, I was just showing you the best smartphone on the market right now.”

She quickly added an excuse, as if she was afraid of offending Jobs.

“But that will soon be a thing of the past. The iPhone is a world-changing device that can’t be compared to anything else.”

It was blatant flattery, but Jobs’ lips curled upwards anyway.

It was a natural reaction, since he was someone who liked compliments being showered with praise.

Jobs cleared his throat slightly and opened his mouth.

“The reason I scheduled meetings with both companies at the same time is because of the iPhone supply. Do both of you have full authority?”

Brian nodded first.

“I have full authority to represent Verizon. That’s why I, the sales director, am here in person.”

Jobs’ gaze moved to the side. Having missed the timing to answer, she replied a beat late.

“…I’m Chloe, the CMO. Everything I say today represents our company.”

“The Chief Marketing Officer is here. It will be easy to talk if you both have full authority.”

Jobs gave Tim Cook a look, and Tim pressed a bell next to him, summoning a staff member.

The staff member placed the prepared documents in front of each side and left.

“Let’s read this and talk.”

Both the Verizon and AT&T sides began to read the documents.

Only then did Jobs put his hand on my shoulder and smile.

“How was it today?”

Looking at his expectant face, I knew what kind of answer he wanted to hear.

I gave him a thumbs-up and said:

“It was far more advanced than I expected.”

“It’s all your ideas.”

Everyone who was flipping through the documents stopped and looked at me.

I could tell what they wanted to say from their expressions.

‘What? Is that the guy who came up with the iPhone’s ideas? I thought he was just an investor?’

I pretended not to notice their gazes filled with doubt, anticipation, curiosity and admiration.

“My ideas? I was just sharing a fantasy, it was Jobs who made it concrete. Please don’t do that, people will misunderstand.”

“It’s the truth, so what does it matter? I know you don’t like to stand in the spotlight, but I can’t compromise on this.”

The stares from the people in the conference room became even more blatant.

I sighed deeply and said:

“Hah… fine. But I won’t actively step forward. Just reveal that there’s someone who came up with the ideas and their nationality is Korean. Just reveal that much.”

“Okay. That’s enough.”

Only then did Jobs seem satisfied and patted me on the shoulder again.

“But why are you so set on revealing this? You can just say that all the ideas were yours, can’t you? I wouldn’t even come forward to correct you.”

“I’m not that kind of scoundrel.”

I chuckled inwardly. ‘Not a scoundrel’, my foot.

He was exceptionally easygoing with me, but everyone who knew Jobs called him a thug.

He was a dictator at Apple. No one could stop him if he was stubborn.

Now that the board of directors was controlled by me and Jobs, nobody could stop him.

Tim Cook was the only one who could give him advice, but that was limited to finances and operations.

Jobs didn’t listen to anyone when it came to development.

“Alright, I understand. Let’s talk about the details later. Isn’t the iPhone supply contract the priority right now?”

As I subtly changed the subject, Jobs’s attention shifted from me to the two groups in front of him.

Those who received Jobs’ attention started focusing on the documents again.

I started reading the documents in front of me as well.

What kind of conditions were there that made Verizon give up the supply contract?

What was the reason Apple insisted on an exclusive contract?

The answer to that question could be found in the documents Apple had prepared.

‘They accepted these conditions?’

Sure enough, as I flipped through the documents, the faces of the people from Verizon and AT&T started to darken.

The conditions Apple had set were that harsh.

“Everything you see here is confidential. If you reveal anything to the outside world, I will use all the methods I can to sue you.”

Apple was known for not disclosing any agreements it made.

“Isn’t this too much?”

Brian said, slamming the document shut.

“We’re not Apple’s subcontractors. There’s no reason for us to sign such a contract.”

Brian stated firmly that he couldn’t accept the conditions that Apple had presented.

Chloe also frowned, closing her document.

“I’ve never heard of such conditions before.”

In the U.S., telecommunication companies had absolute power over manufacturers.

Especially Verizon, as the top company, abused its dominant position.

They demanded phones that could only be used on their network and pressured manufacturers to develop products with specific technologies.

They pressured manufacturers for cheaper prices and sometimes even forced them to install certain software.

The most appalling thing was their policy of forcing manufacturers to put their telecom logo on the devices, which was called the ‘chuno mark.’

Taking advantage of their monopoly, they would put their logo on the back, and if there was any space on the front, they would put it there as well.

“So both of you cannot accept our conditions.”

Jobs made his discomfort clear in his voice and expression.

It was from this point on that the formal honorifics changed to casual speech.

“The reason I asked to meet with both of you first is because you two companies almost split the U.S. market.”

Brian and Chloe both nodded.

The two companies were dominating more than 60% of the mobile communication market.

However, the conditions Apple offered were no less than a proposal to completely switch the positions of the powerful and the powerless.

“Hmm. This meeting is over.”

When Jobs acted so tough, Brian and Chloe both looked visibly flustered.

They seemed to have intended to negotiate the conditions, but that wouldn’t work with Jobs.

“Timothy. Schedule a meeting with T-Mobile for tomorrow.”

“As you wish.”

“Tell them we want an exclusive contract. Tell them we’ll discuss the details when we meet.”

It seemed that Jobs really had no intention of contracting with the two telecom companies.

He finished giving instructions to Tim Cook and then spoke to the two people again.

“You’ll regret it. You’ll regret refusing our conditions.”

Watching the two people’s faces harden was very entertaining.