Chapter 137: jOS 3.0
As soon as I saw the name ‘Steve Nops’ flash across the phone screen,
A smile spread across my lips.
“I’ll put it on speaker, so everyone, keep it down for a moment.”
Han Yu-ju and Hong Jin-man, who heard my words, quietly nodded their heads.
Soon, Nops’ distinctive low and restrained voice filled the room.
“Mr. Kang, it’s been a while.”
“You’re calling me directly, what’s the matter?”
“I’m calling because I have something to tell you.”
There was a subtle edge to Nops’ voice.
“We have decided to withdraw the UX compatibility framework provided to Lunar.”
“Withdrawal, not maintenance?”
I feigned surprise at the unexpected statement and raised my voice.
“…What do you mean all of a sudden? What do you mean by withdrawal?”
“The reason we provided the UX compatibility framework to Dojin was to facilitate app compatibility between jOS and Lunar. However, it has been confirmed that Dojin is intentionally luring developers from our camp to Lunar through an API called Mirage.”
“We have… merely faithfully implemented the framework as requested by A-ple.”
Nops asked again in a cold tone.
“Then what is the purpose of the API called Mirage? Aren’t you maliciously exploiting our framework?”
“When you say it like that, I’m even more taken aback. If the framework provided by A-ple wasn’t intended for that, are you saying you tried to deceive us from the start?”
As I cleverly twisted the words, Nops’ voice became rough.
“What do you mean?”
“There’s a code in the UX compatibility framework provided by A-ple that secretly collects Lunar user data and sends it to a specific server. At first, I thought it was just a simple mistake, but now it seems like it was an intentional act.”
Nops held his breath.
I could picture his face, at a loss for words.
“Secretly collecting user data, where did you hear such nonsense…”
“I’ve already commissioned an investigation from a reputable independent security research institute in Europe, and a report is expected soon.”
I paused for a moment and continued speaking.
“And when we checked internally, the code was structured to transmit data to A-ple’s official API server. How should I interpret this?”
Nops now looked clearly flustered.
“We… We never intended to provide the framework for such a purpose. There must be some misunderstanding…”
I firmly cut him off.
“If there was a misunderstanding, you should have withdrawn the framework earlier. But A-ple has been pressuring us to maintain this framework, haven’t they? For what reason?”
Silence.
Nops said nothing… no, he couldn’t.
“If A-ple holds me responsible, I will have no choice but to disclose the full details of Mirage and the security issues with this framework. I think I don’t need to tell you how much A-ple’s reputation and trust in the global market, including Europe, will crumble.”
“Are you… threatening me now?”
“It’s not a threat, but a proposal for the best way for A-ple and us to coexist in the current situation.”
Silence again.
And after a long silence, he spoke, feigning calmness.
“…I understand Mr. Kang’s position. Let me get back to you after an internal review of this issue.”
After hanging up the phone, Han Yu-ju cautiously opened her mouth.
“Do you think Nops will just back down?”
“I don’t know, but his head must be spinning. It’s true that the framework planted to control Lunar has backfired, causing a large number of jOS developers to flock to our side.”
Hong Jin-man smiled and continued.
“Thanks to that, our app ecosystem is growing at an incredible pace.”
Nops had raised concerns about Mirage to overcome this crisis.
But when the backdoor issue with the compatibility framework was brought up,
He had no choice but to back down.
He said he would call back, but at this point, they didn’t have many cards to play.
Cupertino, A-ple Headquarters.
Sunlight pouring through the windows filled the spacious conference room,
But the air inside was cold and heavy.
In the center of the conference room, Steve Nops sat with his hands folded,
And next to him sat Richard Jang, A-ple’s legal officer, and Marcus Sheldon, Chief Software Architect (CSA).
Nops spoke.
“It seems Dojin has figured out that there’s a backdoor in our framework.”
Richard Jang narrowed his eyes.
“Is that really true?”
“Kang Tae-joon said they’re conducting an investigation through a European security research institute. If that data is released, we’ll be labeled as fraudsters in the global market.”
Marcus Sheldon replied with a somewhat grave expression.
“The framework we planted to make jOS apps run smoothly on Lunar is now holding us back. The longer we hold on, the greater the risk.”
Nops clenched his teeth.
“Even if we decide to withdraw, it won’t be easy to restore the ecosystem with the developers who have already moved to the Lunar camp.”
“However, Dojin has created an environment where jOS apps can be easily ported to Lunar using Mirage. There’s a growing perception among developers that moving to Lunar is faster and more efficient.”
Richard continued after Sheldon.
“At this rate, the more time passes, the more developers will move to the Lunar camp.”
“So, we have to negotiate?”
Richard nodded.
“This will limit our options, but the fallout will be less than if the backdoor is exposed.”
“Let’s propose to Dojin that we withdraw the framework and also terminate Mirage.”
Nops bowed his head with his hands folded.
The air in the conference room grew heavier in silence.
“Propose to withdraw the framework and terminate Mirage…”
As Nops muttered,
Marcus Sheldon nodded.
“From our perspective, that’s the best option. We should sever ties with Lunar immediately and revert to the initial strategy of a closed ecosystem for jOS.”
“What about the developers who have already moved to the Lunar camp?”
Richard Jang spoke calmly.
“Even if we make an issue out of Mirage, there’s nothing to gain.”
If Dojin were to expose that they secretly collected user data, jOS’s credibility would plummet.
Dojin had pulled a fast one on them, so while the public might point fingers, saying they were all the same,
Among developers, Dojin would gain significant reputation.
“In the end, all we can do in this situation is… negotiate with Kang Tae-joon.”
Sheldon displayed data on the conference room screen.
It was a graph showing the changes in mobile OS market share over the past three months.
-Lunar: 39% → 62%
-jOS: 42% → 29%
-Android: 11% → 5%
-Others: 8% → 4%
As soon as they saw the graph,
Everyone in the conference room groaned.
“In just three months, Lunar’s market share has surpassed 60%, while our share has dropped below 30%.”
“Even if we terminate Mirage, the lost market share won’t be recovered…”
The other side has already created an environment where developers can earn more revenue on Lunar, so even if the connection to jOS disappears,
It was certain that developers would not return.
“To firmly hold on to the remaining developers, we need to overhaul the entire ecosystem.”
“Overhaul? How?”
In response to Nops’ question, Sheldon flipped through the slides.
The title ‘jOS 3.0’ appeared in the center of the screen.
“……”
“We’ll abandon the previous plan to absorb Lunar and build a fully closed ecosystem as per the initial strategy.”
Nops looked at Sheldon with a serious expression.
“Tell me more.”
Sheldon displayed a new architecture diagram on the screen.
“First, we plan to significantly strengthen the approval process for the App Store. All apps linked to Lunar will be blocked, and only apps optimized for jOS will be allowed to register.”
Richard Jang expressed concern.
“That will cause a lot of backlash from existing users.”
Sheldon bit his lip and replied.
“As you said, there will be some backlash. However, to overcome the current situation, we need to boldly let go of the existing user base.”
Nops sighed.
“In the end, we’re giving up market share.”
“It’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
“What do you mean?”
Sheldon continued his explanation.
“Now that only loyal customers remain, it’s the perfect time to maximize the premium image we’ve been boasting about.”
Sheldon proposed raising the price of the A-Phone through jOS 3.0 and adding premium features to create a completely different smartphone from what they’ve had before.
Hearing that, Nops slapped his knee.
“Come to think of it, I had forgotten for a moment. The success of the A-Phone wasn’t just due to the OS’s performance, but the combination of high-quality hardware and software.”
By giving up compatibility with Lunar,
They could further emphasize the strengths of a closed ecosystem.
Nops slowly raised his head.
His eyes were filled with deep fatigue,
But from deep within, a strong will surged again.
“I have no choice but to admit that Kang Tae-joon lured our developers to Lunar through Mirage. It’s something we brought upon ourselves.”
Sheldon nodded and concluded,
“If we take this as a lesson, we can regain our market share.”
“I’ll handle the negotiations with Dojin myself.”