Chapter 3003 Stalemate
In Toronto, the auction entered the third round. George Riedel, Nortel's chief strategy officer and president of the business unit, announced happily, "The minimum bid increase for this round of auction is $100 million."
His words with a happy face made everyone feel the same as Cummins yesterday: we are all lambs to be slaughtered.
This is still a group of lambs who are very active in seeking slaughter. BlackBerry, which has been silent in the first two rounds and probably made the Canadian people somewhat dissatisfied, decisively bid at the beginning of the auction, "2.1 billion US dollars!"
It seems that they have given up the effort of Cummins to get a number that can represent the level of mathematics, and directly raised it from more than 1.9 billion to 2.1 billion.
This made everyone feel relieved. This is good. In this way, when we bid, we don't have to worry about being accused of having problems with our math level.
George Riedel was the happiest. When he heard BlackBerry's offer, he immediately cast a look of approval. Dear, it is worthy of being one of us. This move has realized my dream and finally successfully broke through 2 billion US dollars!
"BlackBerry Alliance, $2.1 billion," he looked at everyone expectantly. $2.1 billion, this is a good number.
Riddle is not very good at math, but he is good at some of people's habits. Generally speaking, when it is an integer, such as $2 billion, people will think about whether to bid more, but for $2.1 billion, many people may bid more without thinking.
This is probably equivalent to if you have a 100 Canadian dollar bill in your pocket, it will last longer before it is broken, but if it is broken and becomes 5, 10, 20, 50 small amounts, it will be used up quickly. It's the same principle.
His guess was right, and Jeff Williams of Apple immediately followed up, "$2.2 billion,"
After the offer, Williams did not look at Cummins and Charlie Kidd, but George Riddle looked over at the first time. As the host of the auction, he knew too well that Apple's opponent in this auction was the Android and Microsoft alliance.
Cummins and Kidd seemed to be discussing something?
Hope they can match up and quickly make Riddle a little disappointed with the high price?
How can you not speak up?
He wanted to tear Cummins' mouth open. You know, now, if they open their mouths, Nortel will have an extra $100 million in revenue.
At this time, someone said, "2.3 billion US dollars!"
Riddle turned back in surprise, dear, it's you again, our BlackBerry!
He turned to Apple, it's not bad for the two of you to match up, the effect is the same anyway.
Apple's Williams was also discussing with the people around him at this time. Riddle pursed his lips, Apple, you disappoint me!
What about Android and Microsoft?
He saw that Android and Microsoft were still discussing... Bart, wait a minute, it seems that Charlie Kidd is urging Cummins to bid?
This is a good thing!
He looked over there expectantly. At this time, he saw from the corner of his eye that someone seemed to raise his hand on the Intel side. As soon as he looked over, a voice from the other side rang out, "2.5 billion US dollars!" The representative of Intel shouted with full energy, and glanced at several other opponents with some pride.
What Riddle wanted most at this time was to have a hammer in his hand like in a traditional auction, so that he could express his joy by hitting the hammer hard.
After all, enthusiastic applause is definitely inappropriate in such an occasion.
He really wanted to applaud enthusiastically, stand up and applaud enthusiastically.
2.5 billion US dollars, what does this mean?
This means that 3 billion US dollars is not far away!
The situation is indeed very optimistic, because before he finished observing the other auctioneers, he heard the offer, and the voice sounded urgent. When Riddle heard the number, he knew without looking at it that it must be Cummins of Android.
Because he reported a number with both whole and zero, Riddle could not remember it for a while.
It’s not that he can’t remember all of it. The first one is 2.6 billion US dollars, the second one is 28 US dollars, and the middle one is a little vague.
Fortunately, the assistant who had been prepared for this handed him another piece of paper. That was 2.614972128 billion US dollars?
He looked at Cummins, who was leaning back in his chair and watching everyone laugh. What kind of number is this?
Another piece of paper was handed over, "The reciprocal of a prime number and a constant?"
What kind of number is this?
You guys, are you fighting with a constant?
But $2.6 billion, that's good!
However, thinking of yesterday's events, Riddle was a little worried again. This guy quoted such a price again. Wouldn't he scare everyone away again like yesterday?
He immediately looked at the others with some concern. Jeff Williams of Apple and Charlie Kidd beside Cummins looked equally helpless, as if to say, are they really going to do this again?
But this is also good, at least it shows that Apple is not affected by this offer.
When he saw Intel, he was a little worried, so his face became as serious as Intel's.
And our relatives... He was really serious this time, because BlackBerry had a bitter smile on their faces.
With a helpless bitter smile.
Could it be...
Murphy's Law was immediately verified, "Sorry, we're out!"
Riddle heard the words he least wanted to hear, coming out of the BlackBerry representative's mouth. He suddenly felt a little angry, the anger of being betrayed and abandoned.
As Canada's most outstanding high-tech company, I won't say that we can help each other or teach you to raise the price, but can't we stay and help to support the scene?
Besides, there are no lack of strength in your alliance, right?
BlackBerry, Ericsson, Microsoft, Sony, EMC, although they are still a little behind Apple and the Android-Microsoft alliance, they can at least compete with Intel. How can you give up like this?
The representative of BlackBerry should have seen the meaning in his eyes, but he began to pack up and leave without hesitation.
Of course not!
Who has time to be a spectator here?
But he seemed to glance at Apple.
This glance seemed to be a signal, and Jeff Williams immediately said, "Everyone, can we cooperate with other teams?"
Hey, this is good!
As the host and host of the auction, George Riddle immediately said without thinking, "I think it's okay!"
Now, it was the turn of Cummins and Charlie Kidd to be serious.
Cooperation is not new. After the RPX alliance withdrew, it approached the remaining four companies to discuss cooperation. But now it seems a little wrong. Apple and BlackBerry seem to have already negotiated and are just waiting for the conditions to mature?
Cummins turned sideways to discuss with Charlie Kidd, "I am worried about Intel," he said.
If Apple pulls Intel over after joining forces with BlackBerry, then the situation of their alliance will be very bleak.
Charlie Kidd glanced at Intel and felt that this problem should not be a big deal. In terms of friendship, Intel certainly has a better relationship with them.
"I think it's not a big problem," he said.
In this case, Cummins nodded to him, and Jeff Williams immediately said on their behalf, "We agree too,"
Intel quickly followed up, "Agree!"
It seems that they may also have such plans.
Riddle was very happy, "Since everyone agrees, then, Mr. Williams?"
This time, he expected to hear the words he wanted.
His expectations were met.
Williams stood up, "We welcome BlackBerry to be our partner,"
BlackBerry also stood up immediately, "We are happy to do so!"
Looking at their hands that were about to be held together, Cummins and Kidd looked at each other, this was what was discussed in advance.
The two companies quickly joined together, and Riddle was relieved. Everyone knew that Apple was going to do a big thing, "So, now it's three parties, Intel as one party, Android and Microsoft as one party, and the alliance of Apple and BlackBerry Alliance as one party,"
"Do you still want to continue the auction today?" he asked.
"We hope to continue," Charlie Kidd said.
They want to test Apple's bottom line.
Everyone looked at Intel, and after a while, they also expressed their position, "We also agree to continue,"
"Okay!" Riddle was excited, "Then, the auction continues, everyone..."
"3 billion US dollars!" With the addition of the BlackBerry Alliance, Apple seemed to be much bolder. Before Riddle finished speaking, Williams made an offer.