Chapter 1275 Technical Chips (4k)

There was nothing too important about Lu Qi's visit.

Although Microsoft has strengthened its competitive relationship with Yike in disguise after its ambiguous relationship with Nokia, as a giant, it is more targeting Google and more considering its own reforms.

After taking Lu Qi to visit Yike's Siri laboratory, Fang Zhuo also talked to him about Microsoft.

Lu Qi is not responsible for Microsoft's mobile strategy, but he is also curious about Yike's head's views on competition, and then he got a series of laughs.

"Ah? Competition... this, the competition between us..."

"Just talking about this mobile strategy, Ballmer did one thing right, which is to step down in time."

"Now Nadella has made up for it and announced that he will provide free WP system to manufacturers."

"Since the new smartphones came out in 2007, since Yike, Apple, and Samsung have established themselves in the market, and since Android has become the world's largest smartphone system... Microsoft's WP is finally free for manufacturers."

Fang Zhuo looked at Lu Qi with a smile: "What do you think I should think?"

Lu Qi was speechless.

It's outrageous to say this, but I don't seem to feel it in my daily work.

I can only say that the giants are often outrageously slow.

Fang Zhuo looked at Mr. Lu's expression and asked in confusion: "Now that you ask this, I'm really curious. Has this really not been discussed in Microsoft's internal meetings?"

Lu Qi replied somewhat embarrassedly: "This... is more detailed."

The content of the discussion at the meeting is more macro, and this is not within the scope of responsibility. It's good enough for me to do a good job in the application software.

Lu Qi was silent for a moment, and then said: "Nokia's cooperation with us will be deeper. Although it is difficult to return to the previous position, there is still some hope."

"Nokia and Microsoft's strategic alliance." Fang Zhuo thought for a few seconds and commented, "A Frankenstein monster made up of clumsy and impractical parts."

Lu Qi pretended to wipe his forehead: "Mr. Fang, I'm sweating."

Fang Zhuo smiled: "Then let's end this unpleasant topic."

He continued: "Change one, change one, and talk about your desire to leave Microsoft."

Lu Qi: "..."

Suddenly I felt Mr. Fang's style.

Let's talk about the prospects of technology.

One of the things Lu Qi is currently responsible for is artificial intelligence research, which has been named "Xiaobing" internally, so he has a lot of interest in the user-oriented Siri that Yike has launched.

Fang Zhuo was not stingy. During lunch, he invited several people in charge of the laboratory, and everyone happily talked about the natural language processing behind it.

Until he left, Lu Qi talked about something more formal, asking about Yike's cooperation with Google on search engines.

Yike uses Google's GMS framework in areas outside China, and bundles various Google functions accordingly. However, Google has to pay Yike for the default search engine.

Not only Yike, but Apple and Samsung also charge Google this money.

Microsoft's search Bing, which Lu Qi is in charge of, is a direct competitor.

"Yike has no intention of changing this cooperation for the time being. If Microsoft really wants to talk about it." Fang Zhuo pondered for a moment, "After our contract expires next year, if Mr. Lu is still in Microsoft, remember to bring more sincerity."

Lu Qi smiled bitterly. Is it necessary for him to change this job?

He asked sincerely: "How much sincerity does Microsoft need?"

"We signed a three-year agreement with Google before, and after it expires next year, it will be signed for one year." Fang Zhuo said calmly, "The annual increase may be more in line with the market."

Lu Qi had also inquired about the agreement between Yike and Google before, but the confidentiality of both sides was good, and the numbers were vague.

Seeing Lu Qi's eyes sparkling, Fang Zhuo smiled and said, "Yi Ke and Google are partners. The previous $500 million was a friendly price. If it's a one-year contract... Microsoft is interested, let's talk next year."

Lu Qi exhaled and had a rough estimate in his mind. It was $500 million for three years before, and it would probably be at least $500 million a year if it was signed for one year next time.

The problem is that Microsoft can't get this offer from Yi Ke. Even more, can it be competitive if it doubles?

He nodded slightly, thanked Mr. Fang for the price certification in person, and thought more about cooperation resources other than price.

"Mr. Lu, if you leave Microsoft and don't want to go to the company and want to invest, remember to find me. I also have acquaintances in the investment field." Fang Zhuo maintained his enthusiasm for parting.

Lu Qi smiled and said, "I have no intention of investing at all."

"Most of you people, if you can't make it in the enterprise, you will go into investment." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "If you are not in Microsoft, you might as well consider starting a business directly. You are welcome to come to Yike to find cooperation resources."

Lu Qi shook hands with the head of Yike who was in a difficult situation. No matter what, the spirit he saw today still left a deep impression on him.

After Lu Qi left, Fang Zhuo thought about domestic friendly companies. Adu is still quite arrogant now. Lu Qi has led it to a good development for a period of time. If it weren't for him, I don't know what the situation would be.

This kind of thinking lingered in his mind for a short time and then disappeared.

Fang Zhuo's last arrangement before leaving the United States was to visit Intel, mainly to discuss the cooperation between Bingxin and Intel in the semiconductor field.

As an important player in the global semiconductor industry, Bingxin has no foundry cooperation with Intel, because the latter has its own advanced wafer manufacturing plant, and Intel does not do foundry for others now.

Based on this situation, Intel is a role in the foundry field in the competition of technical standards.

Fang Zhuo has made an appointment in advance and also made a special appointment with Intel's vice president Tate.

This is the senior executive who was sent by Intel to Washington to attend a closed-door meeting.

On August 6, Fang Zhuo led the team to Santa Clara and met Tate.

As soon as he met, he expressed his gratitude to him when shaking hands: "Tate, thank you very much for your evaluation of Bingxin in Washington and your maintenance of industrial development."

Tate had met Mr. Fang on other occasions before, but he didn't have much dealings with him. When he received the call this time, he guessed that it had something to do with the meeting in Washington. Hearing this, he regretted: "Mr. Fang, it's a pity that the business side still made a wrong decision."

He was not surprised that Mr. Fang knew about the closed-door meeting.

However, Tate also sincerely believes that since Bingxin has a wide range of American and European investment institutions, it should follow the rules instead of using the kind of forced interference method.

If there is one, there will be two. The long-term victims of bad consequences will not be just Bingxin.

Fang Zhuo shook his hands up and down: "That is not something we can change, but I am very grateful to hear your righteous words in this situation."

"No, Mr. Fang." Tate said seriously, "It may not be impossible to change, you can try to push it."

He paused and continued: "Just like CSIS, if its people are not suitable to express opinions, then the right people should come."

This is a hint. Senior consultant Allen lost his job. This is not a big deal, but it has been noticed. However, attention does not mean care.

Bingxin's restrictions have become a reality. It is harmless for consultants to not consult.

Fang Zhuo smiled and let go of his hand: "Bingxin has tried to solve this problem in Washington, but the work has to continue. I can only hope to seek more technical cooperation."

Tate nodded and pondered for a moment: "Bingxin has already anticipated this?"

Bingxin sought cooperation with Intel on immersion lithography technology not after being restricted, but since the beginning of this year. Now think about it, that is the other party's preparation for a rainy day.

It makes sense that Bingxin, a company, can develop in China.

"We are more based on the slow commercialization of EUV in this regard." Fang Zhuo mentioned objective reasons, "ASML does not ship, and it delays one year. Immersion process expansion is a very reasonable choice."

ASML has long hoped that EUV will be delivered for commercial use, but its difficulty is beyond imagination. Now it has only handed over experimental models to Taiwan and Samsung.

Recently, some media have been promoting and advocating that it will be commercially available next year, and ASML has also strangely not refuted the rumor.

However, the industry is pessimistic about the speed of commercialization. Intel's own judgment is that it will take at least three or four years.

Tate led Mr. Fang to visit Intel and mentioned the areas of cooperation that Bingxin was interested in. Now Intel has extended the 193nm immersion lithography technology to the 15nm process in the laboratory.

This breakthrough proves that the 193nm immersion lithography technology combined with multiple lithography patterning technology can be extended to a smaller process node than imagined.

However, there is still a distance between the feasibility of the process and whether it can be commercialized, and the improvement of yield is the key.

Fang Zhuo's goal of visiting Intel this time is very straightforward, which is to directly promote the cooperation between the two parties from a higher level.

He listened to Tate's introduction and nodded frequently.

When Tate finished with a dry mouth, Fang Zhuo sighed: "It sounds good, although I didn't understand it very well."

Tate: "..."

Seeing that Mr. Fang nodded in a proper manner, he didn't dare to be careless in his heart, and his introduction was also very sincere.

"Intel is the leader in the semiconductor industry. Although I don't understand it, Bingxin is eager to cooperate with Intel in this regard." Fang Zhuo said directly, "It's just that you don't seem to be willing."

The cooperation between Bingxin and Intel has been progressing slowly. From the beginning of the year to now, everyone chatted for a while, then there was no movement, and then chatted for a while, and then there was no follow-up.

Tate smiled and said formally: "We have always been open-minded about technical cooperation, but we really don't have the energy to promote external exchanges in this regard recently."

He paused and continued: "Bingxin cannot purchase EUV this time. If there is a breakthrough in immersion lithography technology in the future, we will definitely have better sparks."

There seems to be no communication in this regard now. Intel has always played the role of promoting technological progress in the industry.

On the contrary, although Bingxin is gradually growing in the scale of foundry, it is only a foundry company.

What's more, I heard that Bingxin is slow in 28nm technology, so there is even less to discuss.

Tate is proud to show off its technological breakthroughs and advancements, but when it comes to cooperation, objectively speaking, what is the value of it?

"I'm here just to make a forewarning. Our chief technology officer, Professor Hu Zhengming, is on his way to the United States." Fang Zhuo said with a smile, "After all, I don't understand technology, so I need someone who can understand technology to come. Professor Hu respects Intel very much and is very willing to discuss various technologies with Intel."

Tate coughed, thought for a while, and said, "As I said before in Washington, I don't think Bingxin should be subject to any so-called restrictions, but the situation has become like this, and Bingxin should not stop there."

"We have always attached great importance to the Eastern market, and we also think that Bingxin can develop rapidly relying on the Eastern market. Intel is willing to consider further cooperation with everyone in a cooperative and mutually beneficial attitude."

Objectively speaking, Bingxin can achieve such a foundry scale, so there are indeed areas worth cooperating, such as Professor Hu's FinFET technology, which is exactly the area that Intel is focusing on now.

Bingxin's 28nm is slow, and Intel has reached the 22/20nm node where FinFET can be introduced.

One can polish jade with stones from other mountains, not to mention that Professor Hu is a jade from other mountains.

Tate maintained his respect for the industry's technical leaders and was willing to be more open in his attitude.

Fang Zhuo shook hands with Tate and said with a smile: "Professor Hu will arrive tomorrow, and our co-CEO Dr. Liang Mengsong will fly to the United States at the end of the month. We sincerely hope to promote cooperation in more technical fields."

Although Bingxin's current tasks are very heavy, EUV is limited and the importance of multiple exposure technology has skyrocketed, which is worthy of the joint efforts of Professor Hu and Dr. Liang.

Tate nodded deeply. Dr. Liang has become more famous since leaving Taiji. However, with Dr. Liang's ability, Bingxin also has difficulties in 28nm, and the accumulation of overall technology does require time.

He turned his mind. Professor Hu is a waste in Bingxin. It would be great if he could join Intel.

Tate continued to lead Mr. Fang to visit Intel. With the possible foundation of technical cooperation, many things are easier to talk about, and he also expressed some views on the current competition in the industry.

For example, the front and back gates of 28nm.

At present, Intel and Taiji have both started mass production of 28nm, but the capacity increase is not enough, and they are also committed to improving the yield rate.

Tate is very confident in the 28nm technical solution and believes that Taiji must have taken the wrong path this time.

"Mr. Fang, what do you think?" He asked the opinion of the head of Bingxin.

Fang Zhuo pointed at himself with his index finger and said in embarrassment: "Me, me? This, I this..."

Tate laughed. It's enough to just introduce it, and it's not necessary to talk in depth.

He let Mr. Fang go and didn't embarrass him. I heard that Bingxin has dabbled in both solutions. I'm afraid this is also the reason for the slow progress of 28nm. It's the wrong path.