Core Insights - The article discusses the tumultuous journey of Smartisan Technology, founded by Luo Yonghao, highlighting its struggles and transformations over the years [1][2][14] Company Overview - Smartisan Technology was established in May 2012 and has faced numerous challenges, including rumors of bankruptcy every two years [1] - The company launched the Smartisan TNT workstation in May 2018, which was expected to be revolutionary but faced production issues and poor sales performance [1] - By the end of 2018, Smartisan Technology was sold to ByteDance, with Luo Yonghao taking on the responsibility of repaying debts [2] Debt Repayment Journey - Luo Yonghao's journey of debt repayment began in January 2019 with the launch of Chatting Treasure, followed by various ventures including electronic cigarettes and live streaming [2][4] - In 2020, Luo's entry into live streaming significantly improved his financial situation, allowing him to repay approximately 400 million yuan of debt [5] - By June 2022, Luo announced he had nearly cleared his debts and shifted focus to AR projects [5][7] New Ventures and Challenges - After settling debts, Luo Yonghao founded Xihongxian in July 2022, focusing on AR operating systems and hardware [7] - The company faced challenges in developing AR products due to technical limitations and a downturn in the AR/VR market [7][8] - In 2023, Xihongxian pivoted towards AI hardware and software, launching the J1 Assistant AI in January [8][10] Market Position and Future Outlook - Despite setbacks, Luo Yonghao remains committed to his vision of technological innovation, emphasizing the need for time, patience, and funding for future projects [10][14] - The article suggests that Luo's charisma and resilience have kept him relevant in the tech industry, even as he navigates through failures [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - The separation of Luo Yonghao and the Smartisan brand has led to divergent paths, with Luo facing legal and financial challenges while the Smartisan team, now under ByteDance, aims for a fresh start with new product launches and ambitions in the 5G market [1][2][19]. Group 1: Luo Yonghao's Challenges - Luo Yonghao has been placed on a "restriction on consumption" list by the court, leading to negative public perception and labeling him as a "debtor" [1][5]. - He has publicly acknowledged his financial struggles, stating he has repaid 300 million yuan over the past 10 months and is actively seeking ways to settle his debts [6][19]. - Despite the challenges, Luo remains in the public eye, with various offers from the cryptocurrency sector to support his financial recovery [6][19]. Group 2: Smartisan's New Direction - The Smartisan team launched the Smartisan Pro 3, their first product under ByteDance, marking a significant shift from the previous leadership of Luo Yonghao [1][3][12]. - The launch event lacked the excitement typically associated with Luo's presentations, indicating a change in brand perception and audience engagement [4][8][11]. - The new leadership under Wu Dezhou emphasizes a focus on integrating ByteDance's operational strengths into product development, aiming to enhance market competitiveness [16][15]. Group 3: Market Context and Future Prospects - The launch of the Smartisan Pro 3 coincided with the official rollout of 5G services in China, positioning the brand to capitalize on emerging market trends [3][17]. - The Smartisan team plans to introduce additional products, including educational smart hardware, and aims to be a key player in the 5G market [16][17]. - The competitive landscape for 5G smartphones is intensifying, with major players like Vivo and Huawei already establishing a strong presence [17].