Technology Bigshot

Chapter 25: The Launch

Translator: Atlas Studios

Editor: Atlas Studios

“By the way, Chairman, our partner, Facebook, has already deposited the second tranche of funds totaling 4 billion USD into the company’s account.” Ren Hong returned to the chairman’s office, and Gao Yue followed him in with a smile, “It came in a few days ahead of schedule.”

Ren Hong pondered and gave a nod, “Our partner’s market capitalization has recently risen dramatically and officially surpassed Microsoft to become the world’s fourth largest public company in terms of market capitalization. Zuckerberg must have sincerely wired a second amount of money in advance.”

After Facebook’s press release, its stock had risen a cumulative 14.6%, which was a solid figure. It also proved that Zuckerberg was an incredibly wise choice for this partnership.

Likewise, XlouS, who was its strategic partner, benefited as Facebook’s stock price soared. For the past few days, since the official website was updated, Ren Hong also updated the new 1.4.0 version of Real-time Online Translator. After the new version was launched, Real-time Online Translator would only support Facebook, Instagram, and other related social networking platforms, while Google+, Twitter, and others wouldn’t have access to the software. Ren Hong was very confident in his technology, so a crack version was almost impossible to exist.

It should be noted that those who purchased Real-time Online Translator before the new version went live would still be able to use it, but would no longer be able to do so when they repurchase it.

It was clear that Facebook launched a worldwide strategy with this unique software. Since the launch of the latest version of Real-time Online Translator, Facebook had been using its major channels to promote it at a rapid pace.

The benefits of Facebook’s deployment of XlouS soon became apparent, and the most striking figures were that the number of user registrations and paid users of Real-time Online Translator reached a new height.

For Facebook, since the launch of XlouS, daily activity on the social media platform soared from 1.2 billion to 1.36 billion users in a short period of time. Not only that, but new user registrations had also experienced a small spike. The introduction of Real-time Online Translator made users stick to their social platforms, as evidenced by the increase in daily active users.

These figures represented that Facebook would usher in more advertising revenue, which was apparently a win-win situation; specifically, a win-win-win situation. User experience was further improved, but unfortunately for some users, this quality experience could only be enjoyed in Facebook and its related social media platforms.

“By the way, Chairman, Facebook expressed their wish for us to release the official news of Real-time Online Translator version 2.0 as soon as possible.” Gao Yue said.

“You’re in charge of all those things. It seems like Zuckerberg wants to prove his wise decision to his shareholders; how inspiring! Release the news at the press conference.” Ren Hong covered his mouth and pondered, before adding: “Let’s just say that the development of version 2.0 is progressing very smoothly. The product is about 65% completed. Although the development team isn’t even established… Well, that’s it then!”

“Erm…” Gao Yue was astonished. As the CEO of XlouS, she naturally knew the company’s operations very well. The company was just set up, and no project development had taken place at all. But despite that, she understood and smiled in a heartbeat. “… No problem, Chairman. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Wait, Sister Gao.” Ren Hong recalled something and called out, “How’s the forming of the technical team?”

Gao Yue turned around and replied, “It’s already done. They’re waiting for your instructions.”

Ren Hong smiled slightly at the news and responded, “Tomorrow, Real-time Online Translator Version 2.0 shall be formally developed! Also, contact world-renowned architect, Cullen Kaymer, on my behalf.”

XlouS’s first press conference had already been released.

As the hottest topic on the Internet recently, XlouS became a recent darling of the media, as well as the focus of the tech community and investors.

News of the first press conference was announced and quickly followed by the world.

On the third day, the day of XlouS’s first press conference, the site welcomed a cumulative number of more than a hundred reporters from major domestic media and newspapers, as well as a number of foreign media.

It was apparent that this was also the beginning of a formal and comprehensive understanding of the company, which became the star company of late after Facebook’s press conference. Wall Street’s 130 billion USD valuation of the company was enough to turn heads around the world.

At the press conference, a young spokesperson from XlouS took to the podium. “Good morning, media at home and abroad, and all of you guests, I would like to announce that the press conference has officially begun!”

“I’d like to invite the CEO of XlouS to release today’s content, Miss Gao Yue!”

The spokesperson left the podium after his announcement, and soon after, Gao Yue slowly stepped into the main stage in a formal, elegant black professional uniform. At that instant, the reporters below held their cameras and filmed one after another. As the CEO of XlouS, the most stunning thing about her was her beauty and age.

At such a young age, she was already a CEO of a company with so much potential.

Gao Yue showed the characteristics of a young adult as soon as she stepped into the stage, cutting straight to the chase. “The following news is about to be announced at the official press conference! First, XlouS will spend 5 billion USD as start-up capital for the construction of the company’s headquarters.”

The moment she made the announcement, there was a wave of surprised murmurs and whispers from the reporters, and the cameras were shooting even faster.

5 billion USD to build the corporate headquarters? And it sounds like they are going to spend more!

Reporters in the audience exclaimed that this company was rich as hell—5 billion USD! They had some impression that Apple also spent 5 billion USD on their new headquarters, with an additional 2 billion USD added at the end.

Is this a move to be on par with Apple?

Gao Yue looked at the reporters with a professional smile, “Regarding the location of the headquarters, the company is currently interested in either Hainan Province or the Pearl River Delta, but Mr. Ren, the company’s chairman, intends to set up his headquarters in Wanning, known as the surfing city of China. The specific choice hasn’t yet been determined and will be announced later.

“Second, XlouS officially announced that its first product, Real-time Online Translator, has surpassed the 350 million mark in user registrations, including 240 million paid users.”

With a plain smile, Gao Yue continued to announce over the whispers among the audience. “The company is currently developing Real-time Online Translator Version 2.0, which is what the outside world refers to as the function of translating between voice and text on video. At present, the R&D progress is nearing 65%, which is going smoothly. These are the main contents of today’s press conference.”

Gao Yue smiled and looked around the crowd. At that moment, she was also pumped. Real-time Online Translator had achieved great success in less than a month. The number of registered users reached 350 million, while the number of paid users reached a pleasant 240 million. What did that mean? That meant that every month, the company would generate 3.6 billion RMB in revenue with this product.

And that was just the beginning. Not only were those in the audience shocked when they heard the number, but Gao Yue, as the company’s CEO, was also thrilled.

The company was like a living and breathing cash cow! Gao Yue was determined to get her 0.5% of the shares.