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Apple proudly announced its sales projection of $300 million for this year, causing a stir in the industry.
Both the blue giant and HP quickly became the butt of jokes, as reality handed them a harsh lesson.
Labeling the game console market as trivial is far from the truth; it's a billion-dollar industry with immense potential. Apple's optimistic estimate was previously $200 million in sales, but now they're aiming for $300 million.
This newcomer's rapid ascent suggests the possibility of hitting one billion in just two years.
What about White Software? Will it reach 100 million in sales this year?
Unfortunately, White Software is still a private company with no obligation to disclose financial information. You can check for yourself if you have the resources.
The Big Blue's PC plans have been unveiled, but they find themselves in a bit of a predicament. They've opted for Intel's 8080 processor and appear to be leaning towards Microsoft for software.
While the 8080 is commendable, being a 16-bit processor gives it an edge over Motorola's 6600. However, the key issue is its release schedule.
Apple is only making minor changes this time around, and by the time the Big Blue's PC project materializes, other companies may have already moved on to the next generation of computers.
The current situation hints at a 6700 chip between the 6800 series and the 6600.
Motorola, being a publicly listed company, didn't foresee this twist of events. They never expected William White to simplify the 68000 and sell it with such ease.
It appears straightforward and devoid of significant technological innovation.
Of course, the 6700 was designed to compete with the 8080 right from the start.
As for Apple's soaring success, William White can't control it. If he doesn't adjust his plans, Wang An might beat him to the punch.
Wang An Computer has already tasted success and is unlikely to abandon its PC project, boasting superior technical capabilities compared to Apple.
The Giant Blue finds itself in an uncomfortable position amid this unexpected turn of events. Is this a case of being outdone right from the start?
Their hopes of acquiring shares in White Software have evaporated. Since White Software anticipated their move, cooperation seems unlikely.
Concerning White Software's valuation, there's considerable debate, with some even suggesting $500 million.
Don't dismiss this as a joke; the company's gross margin is indeed subpar, and the abundance of adapter cards presents a challenge.
R&D costs are naturally passed on to consumers.
What's truly remarkable is their compatibility with almost all systems on the market. As long as there's demand, they will produce compatible software.
Unlike Lotus software's rigid format, White Software's office suite is adaptable to any brand of computer, explaining Lotus' failure.
Other companies understand the power of this first-mover advantage and wonder how the Big Blue plans to compete.
In reality, White Software is likely to provide software services; they have no reason to forsake such a significant customer.
"Boss, they'll provide corresponding software but require our system in return."
"Damn, how did they figure that out?"
"I think they did. Bill Gates bought DOS; they've developed their next generation based on others' technology."
"I really admire this kid now. How does he manage relations with all these customers?"
"Boss, he's more like an open software supplier. As long as the price is right, he doesn't mind who the buyer is."
"I hope so, or it will be a problem."
There's not just a problem with the Lisa project but also the Big Blue's checkers project. They struggle to gauge the 6700's capabilities. If it surpasses Intel's 8080, they'll be in an awkward position.
They've underestimated the importance of integration in the market. Apple and other companies have played in isolation, ignoring the advantages of a unified framework.
Hardware and software incompatibility result in considerable waste. Learning these systems takes time.
White Software, while advantageous, is not without its quirks. It's almost identical across the board.
Of course, if there aren't enough users, don't expect support. Development costs money.
Police School 2 has finally announced its shooting schedule. While the cast remains largely unchanged, the director has changed. William White no longer directs but serves as a screenwriter and producer.
Whether the audience embraces it remains to be seen, but even without a first part, it's expected to perform reasonably well.
Sequels can be challenging to produce, and William White's caliber is exceptional. Major breakthroughs aren't expected in the short term. Let's hope the new director is reliable.
White Films understands that the boss won't direct sequels, including Agent Bean; this time, no sequels are planned. A film company relying solely on its boss is better off as a studio.
Today's cinema chains view these franchises with disdain, as any film, no matter how successful, is quickly dropped by distributors if it underperforms.
Warner Bros. couldn't hold on to The Shining; they supported other cinema chains for two weeks before pulling it. They have no qualms about working with the American knife.
Star Wars is still performing exceptionally well, with over 150 million. This type of blockbuster typically screens in North America for at least six months, and it's only a matter of time before it crosses 200 million.
What irks Hollywood is that these novels aren't overly long, unlike Mao-era films that dragged on.
It's worth mentioning that White Films predominantly produces series, a popular trend in this era. Unless box office returns plummet, these series will continue.
Modern Hollywood doesn't follow this pattern; instead, it's plagued by brokerages that treat films as cash cows, collecting fees based on box office performance.
This mirrors Xiangjiang's milk tea shops, where the landlord adjusts rent based on profits, regardless of business success.