449 Competitors panicked

At Motorola's headquarters, the atmosphere in the boardroom was grave as everyone gazed at the projected image of an "iPhone" illuminating the white wall.

CEO Christopher maintained a serious demeanor as he addressed the room, "Let's get straight to the point. KiShin's announcement could significantly impact our entire operation. Their device integrates technologies that we have only started to explore since the iPhone was unveiled."

The president and COO, Mike, surveyed the room, his expression filled with concern. "Our current projects pale in comparison to what KiShin is proposing. We're still concentrated on improving traditional cell phones. How did we overlook this shift?"

CFO Edward, with his hands clasped together, scanned the faces around the room. "From a financial standpoint, shifting our R&D focus to catch up will be a huge endeavor. But the alternative—falling behind—might prove even more costly."

Padmasree, the corporate vice president and CTO, let out a sigh, rhythmically tapping her pen against her notebook. "We've really underestimated the market's readiness for this kind of technology blend. Our touch technology is rudimentary when compared to KiShin's multi-touch capabilities. And we're nowhere near integrating internet, music, and telephony as smoothly as they have."

Geoffrey, the director of global marketing communications, sat with a grave expression. His voice was tinged with frustration as he spoke, "We're known as leaders in mobile communication, but KiShin is redefining what that means. We are in the business of selling phones; they're selling an entirely new lifestyle. It's clear our marketing strategy needs a drastic rethink."

Mike Zafirovski, with a grave look on his face, said, "Our first step should be to dissect KiShin's presentation thoroughly. We need to grasp every detail, every unique feature. Our development teams need to be fully aware of what they're up against."

Edward, with worry written all over his face, added, "I'll have to take a hard look at our budget allocations. Redirecting funds to R&D for swift innovation is critical, but it will definitely squeeze our profit margins."

Padmasree agreed, saying, "Time isn't on our side. We need to fast-track our ongoing projects and look for new partnerships to bridge this technological divide. We might even need to consider acquisitions to enhance our capabilities."

Christopher leaned in, making eye contact with each executive in turn. "This goes beyond just a product challenge; it's a call to action. We must be ready to adapt, innovate, and move faster than ever before. Motorola has stood up to giants in the past. It's time to rise to the challenge once more."

Yet, as he spoke those words, everyone present was acutely aware that catching up with KiShin's iPhone would likely take years. They knew that the iPhone's multi-touch technology, its chip, and other features were already complex enough to understand at this point, not to mention the software and operating system, which presented their own formidable challenges.

---

Meanwhile, at other companies in the cellphone industry, similar meetings were taking place.

One of these was at Suzuki, a major player in the industry. The boardroom was silent as Shiro Suzuki, the group's leader, took his place at the head of the table. With a stern look, he began, "Let's start. We're here because KiShin's recent announcement of their 'iPhone' has set a new standard that we can't afford to ignore."

The Vice Chairman, Shito, mirrored his concern. With a sense of urgency in his voice, he leaned in and said, "KiShin's iPhone isn't just a step forward; it's a giant leap. Our current technologies and project plans fall short. We are facing a significant threat."

Shiko, the CEO of the Suzuki Group, couldn't help but give a wry smile as the topic turned once again to KiShin. He thought back to his younger days, scoffing at his brother Shinro's ventures, only to see him now leading a company that was causing sleepless nights for industry giants.

"I'll admit, it's more than we bargained for," Shiko said, his voice tinged with reluctance. "But remember, success doesn't solely hinge on having the most advanced technology; it's also about market penetration and how well users accept what you're offering."

Seki, his brother, responded with a shake of his head, "Yet, we can't ignore the stir they've caused. It's not just about the tech—it's their vision. They're redefining what a phone represents to consumers. We've been missing that kind of innovative thinking."

Haruka, the Chief Innovation Officer, added with a note of worry, "Our current tech roadmap doesn't even include some of the features the iPhone has, whether it's the semiconductors or the multi-touch screen. We're significantly behind!"

The room was filled with nods of agreement from the executive team, and one of the executives spoke up, "Furthermore, we're behind in terms of software and the operating system capabilities that KiShin showcased during their iPhone presentation."

Kenji Watanabe, the Senior Vice President of Global Sales, expressed his concerns, "The iPhone could change what consumers expect from their devices on a global scale. We need to revisit our global sales approach to stay competitive."

Yumi Hashimoto, the Director of Consumer Research, shared her insights with a grave tone, "The initial feedback from consumers on the iPhone has been extremely favorable. We have to dive into why that is and how we can adapt to meet these changing consumer needs."

Vice Chairman Shito, deep in thought about the situation, added, "Our approach needs to be comprehensive. As we push forward with our tech developments, we also need to protect our current market position by forging strategic partnerships and improving our customer service."

Takashi Endo, the Chief Research Officer, raised his voice, "Our focus in R&D has been too hardware-centric. It's time for a major shift, maybe through partnerships or acquisitions, to strengthen our capabilities in software and operating system development."

Mariko Tanaka, the Chief Strategy Officer, chimed in, "Our approach to strategic planning needs to adapt. We should be looking into collaborations with tech companies or startups that are strong in software and operating systems."

Yasuo Kobayashi, the Head of the Mobile Division, emphasized the urgency, "We've really missed the importance of software in improving the user experience. Our mobile division requires a thorough revamp to stay relevant with the latest trends."

Shiko, with a firm resolve, acknowledged, "We need to form a dedicated task force to delve into these emerging areas. We're racing against time and must expedite our research in software and operating systems."

While the board engaged in lively debate, Chairman Shiro remained quiet, thoughtfully watching the animated discussion about KiShin's groundbreaking announcement, the iPhone. In the silence, Shiro couldn't help but feel a surge of pride, as Shinro and his company, KiShin, never ceased to amaze him.

Similarly, Tora was also engaging in discussions about the impact of the KiShin iPhone...