Re: Life - Business & Technology

Chapter 105 - Infinity Channel

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Announcement: Please check the glossary/characters auxiliary chapter for updated concept art! 

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Vince walked onto the stage wearing his signature Future Couture style, mixing Leah's neo-modern design with a bit of contemporary hip-hop inspiration.

The audience was mesmerized by the intricately weaved patterns on Vince's black overcoat hoodie, and some decided to check out the Future Couture store to purchase something similar.

The non-bullet protective version was much cheaper but still cost around $10 thousand, not a typical shopping item for most people.

Jimmy opened up the interview by saying, "It's a treat having you here on the show, sitting next to your label's first artists. How does it feel to have the crowd warmly welcome both you and Future Studio's prelude to the music industry?"

Vince took a moment of thought before replying to Jimmy and the audience, "It's a pleasant feeling to know I won't have to worry about promoting my music initiative with all the loving fans out there. Am I right?"

The crowd went wild, not expecting Vince to be so casual in addressing the audience, and cheered for Hailee and BTS in support.

His Korean compatriots appreciated the validation from both the fans and their CEO while staying silent for Vince's segment.

"That's confirmation right there if I've ever seen one." Jimmy joked and made the crowd laugh for a moment.

Jimmy wanted to get the announcement out of the way and commented, "Though, I've heard your music initiative is only a small part of a much more ambitious project."

Vince quickly understood what Jimmy meant and explained, "You've heard correctly, Jimmy. One of Future Tech's major programs releasing in the coming weeks is a collaborative effort between media corporations like Disney to distribute on-demand and ultra-high-definition video content to all NetServ subscribers, with a free segment for non-subscribers, called the Infinity Channel."

The reveal piqued the audience's attention, and they quietly listened to Vince's announcement.

Vince continued the reveal from the top of his mind. He added, "An application where you could listen to your favorite artists, watch movies and sporting events like the APL, interact with the platform using Twitch, Instagram, or NetServ accounts, and available for download on almost every device through scaling. An all-in-one online media solution."

The crowd was stunned to hear of Future Tech's newest service. The closest thing to what Vince explained was Netflix or Spotify, but none bundled all media types in a single solution like the Infinity Channel.

Vince didn't mention the anti-piracy features to avoid ruining the moment, as the audience was thrilled to hear their NetServ subscriptions will have more functionality, other than a global network connection and access to War Online and Everlife Online.

Vince's main goal for starting the Infinity Channel was persuading more people to purchase a NetServ subscription that wasn't already using Infinity devices.

Apple and Samsung users will have to pay Future Tech to enjoy on-demand Disney movies and other compelling media properties in the global market.

The $5 million flat-rate renting fees for iOS and Android determined by the lawsuit between Future Tech and Apple almost two years ago was chump change compared to the profit potential of the app.

Competitor tech companies like LG and Samsung will have to thank Future Tech for the sheer amount of 4K TV sales they'll receive after the announcement.

Jimmy continued the show and said, "I bet everyone is eager to use your new Infinity Channel service. So what else is going on in your private corporation these days?"

"Jimmy, we've got too many projects to discuss in such a short interview, but I can say the Everlife expansion and War Online major update will be released soon."

Hecz, Fortis, Jaden, and Alice were quite happy with the news of updates for their favorite games amongst the other gamers in the crowds.

"An Everlife expansion so soon after the initial release? I don't play many video games but isn't that too fast?" Jimmy inquired.

"For most games, yes. But we're lucky to employ more than three game studios' worth of developers to keep our players engaged and enjoying our products." Vince explained.

"Will the lovely Hailee Steinfeld or BTS be featured in the upcoming expansion?" Jimmy asked as he gestured towards the other guests on the sofa.

Vince casually replied, "Maybe, but Hailee will surely be in the Everlife movie, the first-ever one produced by Future Studios." 

The young actor was surprised to hear about a sudden movie gig she wasn't told about and commented with a sour face, "Vince, you haven't mentioned it to me yet."

"Oh, I forgot, Haiz. Surprise?" Vince responded with a grinning smile.

The audience couldn't help themselves from laughing as they watched the young couple joking around together.

"A movie, huh? Considering how popular the game is, an adaptation makes sense. RDJ, The Rock, and Jennifer Lawrence were phenomenal as the main characters from what I remember from playing Everlife as a skit on the show." Jimmy stated.

Vince remembered Jimmy Kimmel's boomer moment in 2015 when he made fun of people for watching video game content online and said, "What a surprise. I thought you didn't like playing video games. I bet the easiest difficulty was too hard for you, right?"

Jimmy took the jab professionally and quipped, "I've been learning the ways of the gamer, okay. So could you please cut me some slack, will ya?"

Vince was content with Jimmy squirming in his seat and replied, "Alright. But just this once. 

Jimmy fixed his composure and resumed the interview by discussing Future Tech's partnership with Disney before ending the show.

"Unfortunately, that's all the time we have. Another round of applause for this group of young and talented guests." Jimmy stated as the crowd clapped and the curtains closed.

The FS squads around the building assisted the local staff with clearing out the audience while Vince spoke to his friends backstage, introducing whoever didn't know each other yet.

Vince was satisfied with the interview and happily praised, "That was a beautiful performance earlier, Haiz. You and the boys did very well."

"I gave it my all cause I knew you were watching," Haiz replied as she kissed Vince lightly on the lips.

Most of the others were used to the couple's frequent public displays of affection, but Hecz raised an eyebrow as the oldest person in the group.

Pdogg wanted to spend more time in LA as it was his and BTS' first time there and asked, "What are your instructions, Vince?"

[I hope we don't have to leave for Austin so soon. LA is the place to be as an entertainer and worth exploring.] Suga pondered as they waited for Vince's decision.

"It's 6 pm already, so there's no point in flying back early. Why don't we stay the night in LA and return tomorrow? We can stay on The Longhorn as our accommodations." Vince suggested.

"Yes!" "Alright!" the boys excitedly cheered.

The American-Mexican man, Hecz, overheard the name that Fortis always mentioned at the Prime Alliance facility and asked, "The Longhorn. Isn't that the mega yacht you own, Vince?"

"Yup, it should have enough staterooms for all of us, including you guys," Vince replied, referring to Hecz, Jaden, and Alice.

The BTS members and Pdogg were intrigued hearing about a mega-yacht and felt even more thrilled staying the night.

Hecz sincerely replied, "Thanks for the invite, but I'll need to return home to my family tonight."

Jaden spoke for Fortis and Alice in saying, "We're down to continue hanging out with you guys wherever."

Vince was adamant with his request and stated, "Have dinner with us, at least. I'd like to repay you for the Prime Alliance HQ tour earlier."

Hecz was a connoisseur of eating food and quickly replied, "Dinner in town would be fine. Where do you guys wanna eat?"

As a fellow foodie, Hailee suggested, "The Baja Mexican restaurant, Mírame, in Beverly Hills has been on my LA spots radar for a while."

Hecz was impressed with her suggestion and replied, "Oh yeah, that place has some amazing Tostadas. Let's go before it gets packed."

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While they were discussing where to eat and spend the Friday night, many of the audience members from earlier started discussing the announcements Vince Dalton revealed during the interview online.

Plenty of them shared their evening experience, like the performance at the start and the amusing love quarrel between Vince and Hailee towards the show's end.

Disney exactly received what they wanted, free promotion from the most popular young personality in America.

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Stats last time checked: (This section will be revised in future chapters)

Future Tech current valuation - $300 billion 

15 million BTC (currently trades at $25,000) 

$11 Billion cash in Future Tech 

105,000+ employees (FT AI, Future Studios, Hive Mind Manufacturing, FT Micro Devices, BitCash, FT VR, Future Tech F1, FT Investments, Future Arms, Future Med, Future Tech Robotics, Future Education, Epic Games, 60% of SpaceX, 10% of Tesla, 10% of Koenigsegg) 

20,000+ operators under Future Security 

Personal Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner, The Longhorn, Flyga

Collaborators (Epic, Koenegisegg, SpaceX, Tesla, Hyundai C&E, Disney) 

Numerous subsidiaries under Future Tech Holdings (i..e., Instagram, Twitch, Big Hit Entertainment)