MassaHJ
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Chapter 194: Beats One
🕑 Added 2025-08-22 13:31:18 +0000 UTCIn addition to the strict curation of licensed product quality, we had another clause imposed on manufacturers of products aimed at children: a prohibition on exorbitant profits (the price can't be much different comparing to the similar ones).
Adults, on the other hand, should know what they're doing. If they're willing to pay a premium price for something, that's their choice.
I began comparing the headphones. I first picked up the matte black Beats One and placed it beside the competitors.
"It's really incredible how obvious things seem in hindsight. To me, it feels clear that we're going to crush our competitors," I said, even without relying on my future knowledge. Well, without that future knowledge, we wouldn't have created something with years of design refinement built in.
"We do have a great product, but let's see how the market reacts," Pepper replied.
Even with everything I know from the future, we always remind ourselves not to blindly assume things will unfold the same way here. After all, trying to force a trend too early can actually kill it. Sometimes the market just isn’t ready for innovation.
Another thing, I focused on ideas that were successful for years. I highly doubt that if I mass-produced the fidget spinner, it would cause the same collective craze.
"Rose gold..." That was one of those risks. It wasn’t a common color at all — not even the name was widely known yet. "But maybe Britney can start that trend," I murmured. The color was already used in niche luxury segments like jewelry.
It seemed plausible that we could help it break into the mainstream early.
I pulled out my iPod, plugged in the matte black Beats One, and played a track I knew well. The bass hit with power, the vocals were better to hear.
I moved on to the others. The Beats One didn’t just look better, it sounded better too.
"Pepper, I have a strong feeling that 300,000 units won't be enough and we need more to avoid stockouts," I said. The difference between us and the competition was just too obvious. "Try to secure more units, even if it increases the risk of losing money. Worst-case scenario, a few months later, I’ll do a giveaway for my fans."
Pepper tapped her fingers on the table and nodded. "Okay. I’ll already ask the factory to switch to four shifts, 7 days a week, even if it costs us more."
and concluded, "You can take these boxes. Tomorrow I'll be in New York, for the World Economic Forum."
The only World Economic Forum Annual Meeting that did not take place in Davos.
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Later that afternoon, I was back at my house in Santa Monica. The beach breeze drifted through the open windows, warm sunlight stretching across the polished floors.
As I stepped inside, I found Britney, Cher, Regina, Sam, Carly, and Freddie all gathered around. The girls were spread out on the carpet and bed.
Paige was right behind me, carrying a box just like mine. "My good people, finally my headphones have arrived," I announced.
Everyone quickly stood up and rushed over to see what it looked like.
Each one reached out, excited. Most of them went straight for the rose gold version. Sam grabbed the matte black pair, holding them with a satisfied smirk. Freddie was the only one who picked up the snow white ones, though no one had opened theirs yet.
"Beats by Mello," Britney murmured, as she looked at the box and began opening it.
One by one, the others followed, slowly unboxing their headphones. The smooth texture of the material, the clean design, and the simplicity of the packaging made everyone pause for a second in admiration.
"Wow," Carly exclaimed as she saw the inside of the box.
Britney picked hers up and smiled. "I loved the color, totally my style," she said, already grabbing the cable and plugging it into the headphones and her iPod.
Then she began to hum softly, "Baby, can't you see I'm calling? A guy like you should wear a warning. It's dangerous, I'm falling."
She continued singing in front of the mirror, striking playful poses. Cher and Regina joined her at the mirror, admiring their own headphones with smiles.
Britney took off her headphones and walked over to hug me.
"I loved it. It’s beautiful and I feel like the sound is better. I will totally do the commercial."
And she added playfully, "How much will I be paid?"
"100 bucks, here," I said, pulling a bill from my pocket.
"Stingy Jake, stink Jake," she said, poking me repeatedly.
Once I saw that everyone had tested theirs, I asked, "So, what did you all think?"
Everyone responded with praise.
"It's much better, it doesn't even feel like the same kind of product," Regina commented, comparing it with one of the competitors from the box, where we had several rival headphones laid out.
"If it really becomes a sales success, we plan to launch a Beats Pro, with more luxurious materials," I said. Cher, Regina, and Britney moved closer.
Then a Beats Mini (in-ear headphones) and Beats Box (sound box), once Bluetooth becomes more popular
"It would probably be this part of the white padding, and with these parts," I pointed to the details on the 'b' logo, the headphone extension, and some metallic accents, "they'll be made of real rose gold. It will also have better sound drivers."
Their eyes lit up as they listened.
"And we gonna charge 500 dollars, to extort, cough, I mean, charge, from dumb, cough, good taste people like you three," I finished with a grin.
The three of them began to lightly slap me. "Who are you calling dumb?" Britney said, in a high-pitched voice
"You consume overpriced products more than we do. You are dumber than us," Regina pointed out.
"That is... true," I agreed. "Oh my God, I've spent so much time with you three that I’ve become dumb too." I ran before they could start to slap me again.
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AI images:
how big of a difference beats is:
