A holographic phone.
The moment the product appeared on stage, the audience erupted.
Some had guessed it—but seeing it confirmed in stunning holographic detail still hit like a thunderbolt. This was a brand-new frontier, a revolution no longer confined to labs or sci-fi films.
It wasn't just about technology anymore.
It was about history being made.
Mobile phone enthusiasts in the audience were already itching to get their hands on one. The phone's sleek, futuristic design paired with cutting-edge tech screamed innovation. It wasn't just beautiful—it was brimming with substance.
Within minutes, footage of the phone had spread across the globe, broadcast live from all four venues. Viewer counts on every platform—Facebook, YouTube, Weibo, Penguin Live—skyrocketed by the second.
The holographic projector had been impressive, but this?
This was next level.
Projectors were niche. Mobile phones were everyday essentials. And this one was no ordinary device—it was the crystallization of science fiction turned real.
"I don't care how much it costs—I'm getting one. I thought holograms were something I'd only see in movies. Can't believe I'm alive for this!"
"People who sold a kidney for an Apple phone—do you regret it now?"
"Every other phone just became a toy. Marching Ant is a whole generation ahead. My wallet's crying, but my soul is flying."
"My girlfriend just said she wants a new phone… what do I do now? Serious replies only."
Speculation about the phone exploded across forums and comment sections. And the price hadn't even been revealed yet.
In offices around the world, white-collar workers peeked at the stream behind spreadsheets. Bosses stopped pretending to work. Subway commuters crowded around screens. Students forgot their exams. The Marching Ant product reveal had captured the world's full attention.
"Breaking news: At the global product launch held by Marching Ant Company today, the highly anticipated holographic smartphone was officially unveiled. Following the projector, this marks the second holographic device from the company—but this time, it's a smartphone, the most common piece of tech in our daily lives. The future has arrived. Let's cut to our live reporters on the scene…"
Newsrooms scrambled. Outlets dropped scheduled stories to cut in live. Headlines, hashtags, and hot takes poured in—an avalanche of free publicity. And in moments, the product dominated search rankings and trending topics.
The holographic phone had eclipsed even the projector in terms of impact.
Just months ago, holograms were theoretical or experimental—seen only in blockbuster films. The Marching Ant holographic projector was the first major step into reality.
But the holographic smartphone?
It was the step into people's hands.
Last time, the slogan was: "The future is close."
This time: "The future is here."
Back at the press conference, Chen Mo stood on stage, scanning the energetic crowd, fans practically buzzing with adrenaline.
He couldn't help the smile of satisfaction tugging at his lips.
Watching people get excited over something he'd built—it was the purest kind of joy. Like a chef watching someone taste their signature dish and beam with delight.
After letting the excitement simmer, Chen Mo picked up the mic.
"To be honest… when that woman in the video ran over, I thought she was coming for me," he joked. "I nearly opened my arms."
Laughter broke out.
"She didn't even spare me a glance," he continued, grinning. "The designer who came up with that scene? Yeah—he's not getting any extra meat on his rice tonight."
The hall filled with more laughter and applause, easing the tension. As the mood softened, Chen Mo reached into his pocket and pulled out the star of the night.
A sleek, metallic phone.
The moment it powered on, the Marching Ant Company's logo appeared, projected via its micro holographic emitter.
Tens of thousands of eyes focused. People watching from home leaned forward.
Chen Mo raised the phone high.
"This," he said, "is the star of tonight's show—Mirage Ant."
The screen behind him shimmered with holographic visuals: water ripples, dragons formed of mist, sea and sky merging into ethereal illusions.
"In Chinese mythology," Chen Mo explained, "there's a sea creature that can exhale mirages—the Mirage Ant. It inspired the name of this device. Like the illusions it creates, this phone projects 3D images through the air. The name combines that myth with our own identity—'Ant.' It's poetic, meaningful, and fitting."
From the shimmering mirage, a phone emerged in the center of the screen and descended into Chen Mo's waiting hand.
The visual effects were stunning—cinematic, even.
The name "Mirage Ant" instantly cemented itself in people's minds. This wasn't a continuation of the Butterfly Eye series. It was a leap, a brand-new species of smartphone.
Chen Mo let the silence soak in for a moment before continuing.
"And now," he said, "the features you're all waiting for."
The crowd held its breath.
"Dual-display system.Holographic projection.Holographic calling.Marching Ant OS 4.0.A brand-new AI assistant.Extended battery life.All of it—built into one device."
As he spoke, the stage projection transformed into an exploded-view of the Mirage Ant, showcasing its internal components and capabilities.
"The phone features both a standard LCD screen and a 24-bit full-color micro holographic projector, developed in-house. It can display stereoscopic 3D images or flat holograms—up to 10 inches, with crisp resolution."
Gasps rippled through the venue.
"The onboard holographic chip supports full 3D video capture and processing. With two Mirage Ants, users can conduct real-time holographic calls—like having a real person in front of you. It's photography and projection, merged."
He tapped the screen and played a holographic clip of a dancer, spinning midair, no larger than a palm. A real person, pocket-sized and performing in perfect fluidity.
Applause thundered.
"The OS is Marching Ant 4.0—our most secure system to date. With biometric and encryption upgrades, your privacy is untouchable. No fingerprint, no password? You won't get in."
He raised the phone again.
"Now, about battery life—something this powerful demands real endurance. We've equipped the Mirage Ant with a new carbon crystal battery, developed by our team. It lasts 72 hours of continuous operation."
Excitement surged again.
"And our new intelligent assistant? Smarter than ever. It chats, sings, finds facts, tells stories, translates 117 languages, and controls your phone through natural speech. With this device, you could travel anywhere in the world and speak like a local."
By now, the crowd was mesmerized. The global audience was hooked. Phones buzzed with texts and tweets as viewers spammed the chat with reactions.
This was no longer just a product—it was the culmination of everything Marching Ant had built.
Even just one of the phone's features could lead the industry.
And now, the burning question lingered in the air.
How much does it cost?
Chen Mo smiled knowingly as he looked at the crowd, leaning into the mic.
"I'm guessing," he said, "what you all really want to know now is—how much does this phone cost?"