Wily Cook: Apple's $ 1 billion investment drops geometry? -Drops, drops-IT information

The morning of May 13, drops made significant progress announced its latest round of financing, access to a number of well-known financial and industrial institutions at home and abroad to support. One, Apple's $ 1 billion investment in this round, is the single largest investment of date to the last drop . Through this investment, Apple drops as strategic investors.

And Apple teamed up to the last drop unexpectedly. As is well known, compared with technology giants such as Google, Facebook, Apple slightly conservative in terms of investment, for the United States even more so outside the territory of the enterprise. Is valued at over $ 20 billion to the last drop, shots of Apple's $ 1 billion less than too much stock. So, Apple investment drops to what purpose?

In my opinion, first, purely from a financial point of view, this is a good expected returns of investment . Drop is already one of China's largest travel company, with nearly 300 million users, 11 million daily orders, taxis, limousine has an absolute leading position in the market, and the driver, buses, and other fields are also actively trying to. With smart travel more and more popular, with drops of prospects. For Apple, with the next BAT-level companies with $ 1 billion shares are not expensive.

Second, the Apple scene influence value drops in consumption. After both parties through, users can quickly and easily enjoy more travel services, sales of the iPhone experience and will contribute. In addition, Apple also can use the resources to expand their payment to the last drop. And, drops may also purchase phone rationing their own direct drivers to use.

Third, with drops of resources, Apple could expand its influence in the automotive industry. Smart car has been the largest technology company focused on areas of concern, as a helper to the last drop, Apple can do more humane exploration of the operating system in the intelligent vehicle or car has more operating system market share in China.

Finally, both in terms of data and intelligence cooperation. Drop and lots of travel data, Apple has a lot of user data and share cooperation is of great significance. In addition, the drone is an important application of artificial intelligence, and this mission is closely related to the last drop, which is Apple's focus areas. Cooperation between the two sides, and conducive to joint exploration.

However, Apple choose to drop, not surprising. May mean that Apple's commitment to the Chinese market and, of course, may be that Uber valuations are too high, or ideas not so consistent on both sides.

In any case, Apple drops are significant hand in hand. For them, the risks may lie in China's travel market, particularly special trains legitimacy. Concern new car rules the forthcoming Apple that investment is worth, and may also depend on the policy face.

库克老谋深算：苹果10亿美元投资滴滴的目的几何？ - 滴滴,滴滴出行 - IT资讯

5月13日上午，滴滴出行宣布其最新一轮融资取得重要进展，获得多家海内外知名金融及产业机构支持。其中，苹果公司以10亿美元投资本轮，是滴滴迄今为止获得的单笔最大投资。通过此次投资，苹果公司成为滴滴战略投资者。

滴滴和苹果公司的联手出人意料。众所周知，与谷歌、Facebook等科技巨头相比，苹果在投资并购方面略显保守，对于美国领土外的企业更是如此。滴滴目前的估值已超200亿美元，苹果公司10亿美元的出手想必占不到太大股份。那么，苹果公司投资滴滴的目的何在？

笔者认为，首先，单纯从财务角度看，这是一笔预期收益不错的投资。滴滴目前已是中国最大的出行公司，拥有近3亿用户，日均订单1100万单，在出租车、专车市场拥有绝对领先的地位，并且在代驾、巴士等领域也在积极尝试。随着智能出行越来越风行，滴滴的前景十分广阔。对于苹果来说，用10亿美元参股下一个BAT级别的公司并不昂贵。

其次，苹果看重滴滴在消费场景里的影响力。双方产品打通后，用户可以更加快捷方便的享受出行服务，这对苹果手机的体验和销售将有促进作用。另外，苹果也可以借助滴滴资源拓展自己的支付业务。并且，滴滴公司还可能批量采购苹果手机配给自己的直营司机使用。

第三，借助滴滴资源，苹果公司可以扩大自身在汽车行业的影响力。智能汽车一直是各大科技公司关注的重点领域，有了滴滴作为帮手，苹果公司可以在智能汽车操作系统方面做更多人性化探索，也可以在中国的汽车操作系统市场上占有更多份额。

第四，双方在大数据和人工智能方面有合作基础。滴滴拥有大量出行数据，苹果拥有大量用户数据，分享协作意义重大。另外，无人驾驶是人工智能的重要应用方向，这和滴滴的使命密切相关，这也是苹果公司关注的重点领域。双方合作，有利于共同探索。

不过，苹果选择滴滴，而不是优步令人意外。或许意味着，苹果更看重中国市场，当然也可能是因为Uber估值太高，抑或双方理念不太一致。

不管怎样，苹果携手滴滴意义重大。对于它们来说，风险或许在于中国政府对出行市场，尤其是专车的合法性的态度。备受关注的专车新规即将出台，苹果公司的这笔投资到底值不值，或许还得看政策脸色。