Chapter 537: I Am on Your Side

Steve Jobs absolutely detested the idea of internal information leaking outside.

So, he would fire employees without hesitation for disclosing company secrets.

No, it wasn't just termination; he even took legal action. No matter how trivial the matter might be.

— Did he plant an informant?

When my silence lingered, Jobs prodded again.

Yet I hadn't set up any informants at Apple.

Jobs was quite capable on his own; I didn't need to implant anyone and risk becoming awkwardly distant with him.

Moreover, I was already someone privy to the future.

"No, I was just speculating that Jobs might be creating something at this very moment. I know your personality; why would I take such a risk?"

— Hmm, really?

"And remember our earlier conversation? You said you wanted to integrate a computer into a phone. I saw the potential for that in this latest iPod generation."

— ······Ha! You're quite the clairvoyant, Charlie.

Indeed, Jobs was already contemplating the idea of creating the iPhone.

— True, but nothing tangible has emerged just yet. I'm still at the conceptual stage.

At the conceptual stage, you say? That doesn't sound right.

Though still experimental, the iPod utilized a touchscreen.

From that, it was clear he had already made a decision on how to develop it.

"Conceptual stage? What's the hold-up?"

— For now, the technological capability for touchscreens isn't quite ready for commercialization. While we've tried it on the iPod, the malfunctions have been significant.

The core of the iPhone was the touchscreen. Without that functioning properly, he seemed to be facing hurdles.

— Microsoft has declared their intention to develop tablet PCs. They assert that laptops will be obsolete, replaced by tablets. But that's not what I want. I desire a singular device that can handle calls, the internet, and MP3s all in one. That device we discussed when we first met.

Someone at Microsoft has likely provoked Jobs, it seemed.

Moreover, my meeting with him seemed to have inspired him to conceive the iPhone at a quicker pace.

"So you mean it still lacks proper technology? You want something that uses a touchscreen rather than the method Motorola or BlackBerry employs?"

— Exactly. I don't want to make a device that requires a stylus.

"Hmm…"

— Why? Do you have a solution?

Which company holds the patent for capacitive touch technology? I couldn't recall immediately.

"I'll need to do a bit more research."

— I'd appreciate that. The foremost priority is to eliminate touchscreen malfunctions. We've contracted Motorola for the phone's production. Our focus is solely on securing the technology and the design.

"Huh? You mean Motorola? So Apple isn't manufacturing it directly?"

— Why would Apple dive into the phone business? We have our hands full with other projects.

What kind of ridiculous nonsense is this? That Apple wouldn't create a phone?

"Jobs, are you really suggesting we prepare food for dogs? This is utter nonsense!"

— Prepare food for dogs? What on earth are you talking about?

"Oh, why are you doing something for others? It's something Apple could easily handle!"

"— No, that's just not feasible. Our priority is to nurture the iPod. I can't afford to buckle due to personal ambition. Apple has just started to stabilize its profits, all thanks to the iPod's success. But there could be overlaps…"

This clever man is being frustrating.

Come to think of it, wasn't Jobs always negative about directly manufacturing smartphones?

I quickly interrupted his words.

"Jobs."

— Speak.

"Will you really be satisfied? The perfectionist you are, are you okay with a phone made by Motorola? Besides, that'd be like doing double the work. You should handle the design and everything. I want to see the smartphone you create, not a Motorola one."

— ······Motorola is currently number one in the mobile device market.

"True, but mobile phones and smartphones are entirely different realms. A mobile phone is solely a means to make calls and send messages. However, the smartphone you and I envision should replace computers and be an essential part of daily life. To achieve that, it needs to be aesthetically pleasing. It must embody a design that stands out wherever it is displayed."

Jobs fell silent at the insistence on prioritizing design.

By looking at the Macintosh and the iPod he created, you could tell how much attention he dedicated to design.

It's not merely about functionality; it should also be usable as an accessory. That's Jobs' philosophy.

"So if we're going to do this, let Apple do everything. We have sufficient resources. The success of the iPod? The smartphone you create will generate much greater profit than the iPod ever could."

Jobs let out a small laugh. It seemed my confident assertion struck a chord with him.

— You believe it will succeed even though there's not a product yet?

"Because it's you. It's no one else but you. Sure, you might have more enemies due to your difficult nature, but your products have always shocked the world at the time."

— Are you paying me a compliment or throwing shade? If it's your advice, I'll take it. I'll gather the executives for a meeting. However, I've already contracted Motorola. We're about to see products resulting from that deal; a hybrid of a phone and an iPod.

"Is that so?"

— The original plan was to acquire Motorola. However, they wanted far too much for it. So we decided on a cooperation model instead.

What would it even mean if Apple acquired Motorola?

True, the mobile phone market is booming now, but eventually, it will be smartphones that survive.

Traditional mobile device manufacturers like Motorola and BlackBerry will all go under, and smartphones will replace their market share.

And the leading figure among those smartphones will be Apple.

"Good decision. It wouldn't be worth acquiring unless it was at a low price."

— Is your assessment that strong?

"As times change, companies need to adapt. But leading companies find it hard to evolve, which leads to obsolescence and being forgotten in history. Apple was nearly swept away into obscurity before your return, wasn't it?"

— That's true… Why are you pricking my sore spots again?

Jobs, who had been responding affirmatively all along, now replied grumpily.

"Ha ha, back then, Jobs, you were far too much of a lone wolf. Well… not much has changed now, but I'm on your side this time."

— Charlie, you really do surprise me. I'm always grateful. Meeting you has been the greatest fortune of my life.

"Same here."

Jobs and I laughed for quite a while.

"So the phone we're creating with Motorola includes iPod functionalities?"

— Correct. Not all functions will be included, but the device will have MP3 capabilities bundled with iTunes software. Our strategy is to encourage users naturally to seek out the iPod.

"That doesn't sound too bad."

Phones with MP3 capabilities started to emerge.

This could have posed a crisis for the iPod.

Thus it seemed Jobs wanted to partner with Motorola to create a phone.

However, the iPod was performing so well that Jobs might not take a chance on new projects. I needed to prod him into a dilemma.

After some deliberation, I decided to add one final remark.

"Jobs, in the end, the market will shift to smartphones. So I recommend putting all efforts into this before it's too late."

— Got it. Let's talk next time.

Jobs ended the call abruptly.

I lowered the phone I'd just hung up and muttered.

"That should be enough, right?"

* * *

After his call with Kim Mu-hyeok, Steve Jobs summoned all developers.

In the conference room, Apple's executives and technicians had gathered.

"We will now dedicate ourselves fully to smartphone development!"

The conference room fell silent in shock at Jobs' startling statement.

Particularly, Apple's senior vice president Scott Forstall, who had consistently argued for creating a smartphone, stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

After a moment of shock, he finally snapped out of it and asked.

"Jobs, are you saying we're making a smartphone?"

"Yes! That tiny computer you've been advocating for each day!"

"Huh, now? We've already started collaborating with Motorola, and most of our tech team is focused on that. We can't just pull them away now."

Scott Forstall pointed out a critical issue, yet Jobs shrugged it off.

"We can start after that work is finished! For now, let's figure out how we're going to develop it!"

Everyone in the room noticed that Jobs had already made up his mind.

There was no persuading him, nor should there be. When we brainstormed the idea of creating the iPod, most of the people present were against it.

But Jobs pushed it through, and now more than half of Apple's revenue comes from the iPod.

It became clear to everyone that his opinion would soon become the norm.

"If that's the case, why not just acquire Motorola instead?"

"No, no! What I'm proposing isn't merely a phone."

Jobs waved his hands in dismissal, raising his voice.

"The smartphone I want to create is literally a small computer. It should be able to do everything without needing anything else. What you're proposing is merely a combination of an iPod and a phone. That can't be called innovative."

Jobs walked over to Scott Forstall and squeezed his shoulder.

"You need to create the software. A user-friendly interface must be integrated into this portable device! From today, you cannot tell a single soul about this project!"

He issued the same warning to the other executives.

"If even one person leaks this information, they'd better brace for consequences. I won't stop until I bring them to ruin."

Scott felt the tightening grip of Jobs' hand on his shoulder.

He endured the growing pain and bluntly asked.

"What about the team? I can't do this alone."

"Bring anyone you want onto your team. Create a dream team. If necessary, you can also recruit from the outside. Spare no support. Oh, and make sure to get non-disclosure agreements signed before revealing what this project entails. Everyone must sign a NDA as well."

Jobs shot a glance at his secretary.

She placed sheets of paper in front of all those gathered.

"These are NDAs. Everyone sign them."

"Jobs!"

Several executives protested vigorously. But Jobs, unfazed, said decisively.

"I've already finalized the discussions with Dream High. If you can't use that, all of you need to pack up and leave Apple!"

Even under Jobs' intimidation, some executives hesitated.

They had all signed the NDAs already.

But the subsequent insistence signified a desire to completely bind them.

"Ha, seriously!"

Scott Forstall brushed off Jobs' hand from his shoulder and ruffled his hair.

Then, taking out a fountain pen from his pocket, he signed the contract without even reading it, complaining as he went.

"Jobs, you're such a lone wolf. If you keep this up, you might get kicked out of Apple again."

"Ha ha! Are you worrying about me, Forstall?"

Scott shook his head in disbelief as he stood up.

"You said I could handle the team, so don't touch that. No matter who I bring on board. Even if it's Bill Gates, don't stop me."

"What? Bill Gates?"

"Just keep your distaste to yourself, alright? Understood? Or I'll tear this up and resign."

Scott shook the contract he held above the table, laughing.

"Alright, but they must be qualified."

"Of course. Now I'll take my leave."

As Scott Forstall opened the conference room door to leave, he suddenly halted.

"So, what are you going to call the smartphone you're creating?"

Jobs replied with a smirk, as if he were just waiting for that question.

"I PHONE! It's called the iPhone!"