Restart life

Chapter 606 [Extra] He really did it

Generally speaking, HarmonyOS flagship phones are released in August, September, or October each year.

Last year, the Seven Stars series officially came to an end.

This year, many people are waiting to see what the new HarmonyOS flagship series will look like and what it will be called.

But by early November, there was still no news.

Many netizens tagged Chen Guiliang's Weibo account, and Chen Guiliang posted on November 10: "The bullets have almost flown away. The new HarmonyOS phone will be released on December 1, and I will be there in person."

The news immediately sparked heated discussions.

Because Chen Guiliang hasn't held a press conference in person for several years, everyone knows his nature, and he's sure to pull something explosive this time.

The current industry situation is that Android cannot enter mainland China, and HarmonyOS cannot leave mainland China, resulting in a complete disconnect between the domestic and international app ecosystems.

Apple's iPhone ownership in China has plummeted this year, mainly due to the collapse of its app ecosystem.

However, Samsung changed its strategy long ago, re-entering the Chinese market with its HarmonyOS operating system. Some users who looked down on HarmonyOS and domestic brands like Huawei switched to Samsung.

Samsung's market share in mainland China has surprisingly grown to 6.2% this year.

Of course, many Samsung users also believe that HarmonyOS and Huawei's flagship phones are becoming increasingly outdated. This is because both HarmonyOS and Huawei are developing their own chips, and have been subject to US sanctions since 2019.

In recent years, only a small number of high-end models of HarmonyOS and Huawei have been able to purchase Qualcomm 4G chips, while the rest have used self-developed 7nm chips—achieving a level close to Qualcomm's 4nm through design, packaging, and system optimization.

It can't outperform Samsung in benchmarks!
Bird's Nest.

One guest after another, along with many fans, entered the press conference venue one after another.

All major platforms launched official live streams, with words like "support" and "expectation" flooding the screen, interspersed with sarcastic remarks such as "we've won too much" and "far ahead."

There are also sarcastic remarks like "a flagship phone with a bad chip and a high price," which are not even pretentious.

Having gained access to the system for one year and twenty days, Chen Guiliang slowly walked to the center of the press conference stage and adjusted the [Presence Regulator] to its maximum value of 100%.

Without any stage effects, Chen Guiliang simply stood there quietly, yet he seemed to shine brightly and become the center of attention.

I simply couldn't look away!

Even the viewers in the live stream who wanted to type sarcastic comments were all stunned for a moment.

The guests sitting in the front row felt it particularly strongly. They mistakenly thought it was Chen Guiliang's "aura" and were filled with sincere admiration after their initial shock.

"Damn, he's changed so much in just one year!" Zhou Hongwei exclaimed, having come to join the fun.

Zhang Chaoyang said in a cryptic tone, "Ancient scholars and officials emphasized cultivating their inner energy. This man has probably cultivated it to a high level; we can feel his aura even sitting in the audience."

Lei Jun hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Media reporters and self-media practitioners all looked up at Chen Guiliang on the stage. Even those who intended to subtly criticize his two-faced nature found themselves inexplicably drawn to him—not because of the influence of the "presence regulator," but because they were bewitched by his overwhelming charisma as the saying goes, "Who in the world doesn't know you?"

Chen Guiliang finally spoke: "More than ten years ago, I founded HarmonyOS phones and the HarmonyOS operating system, and the Seven Stars series flagship phones ushered in a new era. In the past five years, the US has intensified its sanctions against HarmonyOS. HarmonyOS phones sold overseas, running on the Android system, have suffered a complete defeat due to the inability to obtain Google services. Even high-end HarmonyOS phones sold in China have seen their sales decline year by year after a brief surge due to a lack of chips..."

"Last year, the Seven Stars series came to an end; it's time to embark on a new journey..."

Chen Guiliang pulled out a small transparent box: "Before the official release of the new machine, I'd like to introduce something to everyone. This chip is called 'Phoenix,' meaning rebirth from the ashes..."

"Although it is a 7nm chip, its performance is basically on par with that of a 4nm chip."

"It adopts a 'big.LITTLE + hyper-threading' design, deeply integrating with the HarmonyOS system to ensure tasks run on the right cores at the right time with the highest efficiency. A unified memory and storage architecture allows the CPU, GPU, and NPU to share a high-speed memory pool… Through dynamic performance and power management, the system can perceive application needs in real time and adjust chip frequency and voltage in milliseconds…"

"Its heterogeneous computing and dedicated units, in addition to general-purpose computing, integrate our self-developed dedicated circuits... The visual neural network processor is designed to have AI computing power and energy efficiency far exceeding those of its generation..."

“EUV…”

At this point, everyone in the know, whether at the scene or in the live broadcast room, was stunned.

Is this chip made using an EUV lithography machine?

The problem is, where in China can we find EUV lithography machines that can manufacture 7nm chips?
Chen Guiliang smiled and said, "Those who follow SMIC probably know that a few months ago, SMIC used newly issued shares to exchange for some technology. That technology is related to EUV lithography technology..."

"Our Kuafu Research Institute originated from HarmonyOS's Kuafu Project. It became independent about ten years ago, and after receiving investment from ByteDance and Youke, it now has laboratories all over the world..."

"I am now officially announcing that our newly established Light Chaser Technology Co., Ltd., which was formed earlier this year, is now capable of mass-producing Low-NA EUV lithography machines. These lithography machines are already in use at SMIC!"

The entire audience was stunned. Those who knew the stuff were dumbfounded, while those who didn't understand looked around blankly.

A barrage of "Awesome!" messages flooded the live stream, while others spammed "Tears in my eyes" and "Excited!"

Chen Guiliang had already informed the higher-ups about such important news, and had even been received by relevant leaders.

A few months ago, SMIC underwent significant changes in shareholding. Companies under Chen Guiliang and state-owned enterprises significantly increased their holdings.

Currently, the largest shareholder of SMIC is the National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, and the second largest shareholder is a company under Chen Guiliang.

Chen Guiliang also brought in some state-owned enterprises as shareholders of Chasing Light Technology, which can produce Low-NA EUV lithography machines.

Before SMIC fully mastered those processes, information was kept extremely secret, and all relevant personnel signed confidentiality agreements. In some core units, special departments even had personnel stationed there.

Yu Chengdong, Huawei's CEO, was sitting in the audience at that moment; he had been specially invited by Chen Guiliang.

Yu Dazui has truly become a giant mouth now; he stares wide-eyed at the stage, unable to utter a sound for a moment. Huawei and SMIC have a very deep partnership, yet Yu Dazui has only just learned of this.

It took Yu Dazui more than ten seconds to come to his senses. He quickly took out his phone and sent a message: "Chen Guiliang's Light Chaser Technology, which he founded sometime ago, can commercially mass-produce Low-NA EUV lithography machines. SMIC has mastered the relevant technology." The live broadcast room became even more lively.

"Just a quick question from a newbie: what level of technology is this lithography machine?"

"We are only one generation behind the world's most advanced lithography machines."

"Heh, after all that, we're still a generation behind. We've won too much."

"No matter how amazing these Chinese companies are, they can only follow behind others and eat their dust."

"What do you idiots know? Low-NA EUV lithography machines represent a leap forward for an entire industry chain!"

"Holy crap, Old Ancestor Chen really unleashed another powerful move!"

"I really cried, a grown man in his forties, tears streaming down my face."

"His faint light could illuminate the Milky Way. He wrote this twenty years ago, and now he has achieved it!"

"What a brilliant move by Chasing Light Technology! What a brilliant move by the Kuafu Research Institute!"

"Winning, winning ...

"Unfortunately, we are a generation behind foreign countries, so we dare not say that we are far ahead this time."

"Traitors, get out of the live stream!"

"..."

Many people at the scene were sending messages on their phones, but Chen Guiliang didn't say anything, just stood on the stage with a smile and watched them busy themselves.

After a full half-minute pause, Chen Guiliang continued, "The Seven Stars series has concluded, and next up is Beichen. Beichen is the North Star. Beichen represents stillness, symbolizing the 'unchanging' principle in the I Ching, which is an eternal and unchanging universal law. The Seven Stars represent movement, symbolizing the 'heaven's movement is strong, and the superior man strives unceasingly' principle in the I Ching."

Behind Chen Guiliang, the large screen displayed the words "Hongmeng Beichen" and an image of the North Star.

"Tianwen AI has just been upgraded to Tianwen S2. 'Hongmeng Beichen' combined with Tianwen S2 and a voice assistant possesses a function I've named 'AI Global Intelligent Agent.' Let me demonstrate..."

Chen Guiliang said into the phone, "Xiao Tian, ​​Xiao Tian."

"I am here, please give me your instructions, Master."

"Please help me plan my business trip to Shanghai next Monday. I will stay in Shanghai for three days and return to Beijing next Thursday afternoon. Please provide three plans with budgets of 5000 yuan, 8000 yuan, and 10000 yuan."

"OK, just a second."

The large screen quickly displayed nine travel options, with detailed information on flight and hotel prices and times.

It even goes into details like how to get to the hotel after getting off the plane, including taking the subway, private cars, and more. It even provides subway transfer instructions and price comparisons for private cars.

Chen Guiliang said, "The longer you use this AI global intelligence agent, the more comfortable you will feel, because it will become more and more familiar with your habits. You can name it, customize its appearance and voice, and chat with it when you have nothing to do. You can talk to it about all kinds of things in life and work, and ask it for help. It is your assistant and your friend. It can even be a virtual boyfriend or girlfriend, and its appearance can be made to look like a real person."

While the audience at the scene and in the live broadcast room were still amazed by the AI ​​global intelligent agent, Chen Guiliang continued without stopping, saying, "Next, let's talk about the 'HarmonyOS Beichen' immersive full-sensory screen. We have achieved a comprehensive improvement in vision, touch, and biological perception..."

"In terms of visual performance, we use a top-tier domestically produced 2K+ ultra-high frequency PWM dimming eye-protection screen, and integrate under-display 3D structured light. The screen has no openings and supports payment-grade secure facial recognition..."

"In terms of haptic feedback, we've equipped it with an industry-leading ultra-wideband X-axis linear motor, which works in conjunction with our self-developed chip to achieve vibration feedback across all scenarios, down to the millisecond level. It will make playing mobile games incredibly immersive..."

"In terms of biosensing, we have integrated a high-precision multi-channel spectral sensor under the screen. Users can monitor heart rate, blood oxygen, stress index, and even blood sugar trends seamlessly and continuously simply by holding the device normally..."

As one feature after another was introduced, everyone stared at Chen Guiliang in astonishment.

"Now I know why it's called 'Hongmeng Beichen'. Beichen symbolizes the emperor, this is the new generation of king of machines!"

"Why are the traitors no longer shouting?"

"Heh, isn't it just AI and full-screen display? Apple and Samsung will definitely release similar products next year."

"Just tell me how much this phone costs; my Alipay account is itching to pay."

"With this thing, can I also be a secretary when there's work to do and a secretary when there's nothing to do?"

"Hehe, a virtual secretary is still a secretary."

"Old Master Chen is getting into science fiction again, huh? This time it's amazing!"

"..."

After the new product launch event ended, video clips of the event flooded the internet, with some even adding English subtitles and uploading them to foreign websites.

In the following days, the stock prices of companies such as ByteDance, HarmonyOS, and SMIC soared. Meanwhile, the stock prices of some other companies suffered sharp declines.
The real repercussions are only just beginning.

Countless companies, both domestically and internationally, are holding emergency meetings.

CCTV's "News Broadcast" devoted a full five minutes to reporting on the numerous pieces of information revealed at Chen Guiliang's new product launch.

The China Youth Daily wanted to do an exclusive interview with Chen Guiliang, but he declined. However, they still gave them a full-page report, using a widely circulated phrase online as the headline: "Hoping to illuminate the Milky Way with a faint light—he has now achieved what he wrote twenty years ago!"

What's even funnier is that some netizens shared their mock exam questions from their senior year of high school, where the reading comprehension material was directly about Chen Guiliang's deeds.

On the day "HarmonyOS Beichen" was officially launched, long queues formed overnight at stores across the country once again.

(End of this chapter)