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Thank you Watts, and yes I understand the history of Socket Communications which is a different legal entity from Socket Mobile.
However, this Model 9P Ring Scanner was listed on Socket Mobile's website up to about two weeks ago when it was removed for some reason. The device is clearly listed as a Socket Mobile device in the brochure and specs.
http://questsolution.com/hardware/CRS+Series+9+Data+Sheet.pdf
It is also Windows 8 compatible. And at the bottom of the brochure it states "© 2011-2013 Socket Mobile, Inc. Socket, the Socket logo, Socket Bluetooth Cordless Ring Scanner, and SocketScan are registered trademarks or trademarks of Socket Mobile, Inc."
So it seems clear that Socket Mobile is/was selling this device. I can contact them next week and ask them if they are still manufacturing this device and why it was removed from the website recently.
This appears to be an updated model version from the prior model (which was noted previously by other posters). It is being sold by a number of vendors in the UK. But oddly they removed this model from their website a couple weeks ago. But yet is still actively listed and sold through a number of distributors.
http://www.amazon.com/Socket-Mobile-RS5519-1075-Cordless-Scanner/dp/B0021AFWQ4
Liquidmetal scanner now available on Amazon. This is a NEW product from Socket Mobile. Don't think VPC is making this. Something is going on here. It is Apple Certified. Who is making the LM parts for these scanners?
For about a month, Socket Mobile had a scanner listed on their website made of LM. It was called Cordless Ring Scanner Series 9. Saga also notes this ring scanner on their website. Socket Mobile also had a case study on their website where the UK Mail Service had purchased an undisclosed amount of these scanners and had very good success with their use. Now they have removed this product from their website. The question I cannot determine is who made these LM devices? If Saga is involved, I would presume it was an Engel machine. But who's? Not likely from the US. And why was it pulled from their website? Socket Mobile is closely linked with Apple, their products are listed at Apples UK Store. There are still one or two secondary seller websites listing the LM scanner for sale. Anyone have any ideas who made these LM scanners?
http://www.mobileidsolutions.com/resources/product-info/socket/crs9.pdf
http://www.touchwindow.com/c/SocketSeries9.html
http://www.sagaplastic.com/en/research
https://www.socketmobile.com/product/series-9-hands-free/overview
Does anyone know who is making the LM parts for these units?
Socket Mobile devices are for sale at the Apple UK Store.
https://www.socketmobile.com/product/series-9-hands-free/overview
See the Royal Mail UK case study at the bottom (pdf), it seems they have already purchased units and are using them.
Thank you for this link. In going to the CoNextion website, they state that they do not even have FDA clearance or CE Mark approval for their product(in one of their PR's). And do not expect this until "sometime" in 2016. Not sure how there could be any type of substantial order in early 2016 as noted in LM's PR. Perhaps a small order for further testing an approval applications.
Thank you for passing this patent info along. If I recall correctly the prior patents were specific to sapphire and spoke of LM being molddn around the sapphire to create a "unibody" phone. This was possible because sapphire (specifically) and LM have similar hardness coefficients. These new patents speak of "glass" being used and a third bonding material to bond the glass to LM. I take this to mean that Apple does not intent to use sapphire in the next phone but possibly gorilla glass (or similar) - but still intends to use a LM case. Whether or not it happens of course remains to be seen.
According to the website provided:
http://executives.findthecompany.com/l/25817/Thomas-W-Steipp
Thomas W. Steipp's 2014 pay is broken down as follows:
1) $300,000 salary.
2) $297,000 bonus.
3) $1,142,469 in option awards.
He did not get $1M bonus in 2014, the vast majority of his pay was in stock options. This is significantly different from a cash bonus. No one has provided any proof that he received any type of large cash bonus in 2015. If he is receiving stock options, that is not a bad thing from an investor point of view.
Thank you very much for all of the information you have provided. Regarding the golf clubs, I am a bit puzzled by the employees response that the oversized head was too large. I do not think any of the major manufacturers cast an entire golf club head. They all make separate components and bond them together. I never envisioned an entire club of LM, but rather a titanium head with a LM face or something to that affect. They should easily be able to create a LM face to exact tolerances with current technology. So I am not sure I fully accept that employees response. It may just be no major manufacturers are ready to pull the trigger at this time. Just my two cents. Thanks again for the very informative update.
Actually, they are not planning to compete with the big brand golf companies. They are going to license their material to those companies and let them put their name on it. For example, they license LM to Callaway and Callaway makes a new driver featuring LM. Callaway gets the recognition for the driver and LM gets royalties. A much better idea than the original failed idea of trying to compete .
Actually, they are not planning to compete with the big brand golf companies. They are going to license their material to those companies and let them put their name on it. For example, they license LM to Callaway and Callaway makes a new driver featuring LM. Callaway gets the recognition for the driver and LM gets royalties. A much better idea than the original failed idea of trying to compete .
In Softball (as in baseball leagues which use aluminum bats) they passed new regulations a few years back which limit the ball speed off the bat so as to be safer. The aluminum bats used in college ball today are not the same that were used years ago. This more than likely negatted the need for manuafacturers to use exotic light weight metals in production.
New iPhone 6 Rendering Shows Innovative Fusing Of Glass And Metal
http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2014/07/13/new-iphone-6-rendering-shows-innovative-use-of-glass-material-for-antenna-setup/
Apple's 5.5-inch 'iPhone 6' faces production issues
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/07/13/analyst-ming-chi-kuo-apples-55-inch-iphone-6-faces-production-issues-launch-may-be-pushed-to-2015
I have read that Apple was in process of getting FDA approval for the iwatch. So it would point to a medical device. They would also need FDA approval to use the non-be LM in the device. It would appear to be the way to get around LM's swatch agreement.
IWatch production delayed due to coating failures to MIM body of the watch. No articles state what metal is being used in the MIM watch body. This was widely reported way back in January...no updates since.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/apple-iwatch-reportedly-hit-by-production-delays
Recently published article by Forbes....
http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2014/05/28/apples-new-sapphire-and-liquidmetal-patent-clear-way-for-new-iphone-6-design/
Summary of Benefits and Drawbacks of LQMT. For those interested, I have done my own research of available information of LQMT and put together a list of positives and negatives. Hope this helps those looking for a quick summary.
Positives:
•LQMT has a revolutionary product that has great potential (more product/use info can easily be found at their website). The company holds numerous patents (alone and with apple) which should protect it from replication by others for the immediate future.
•It has recently taken this technology to the point where they have a turnkey product that is ready for sale currently. This is a clear sign the company is moving from the R&D stage to the production/sales stage.
•LQMT has Apple in support of their technology (this should not be under estimated).
•It is becoming more clear that Apple will be using their product in near future products.
•Use in Apple products would provide worldwide positive exposure and make the company’s product a household name.
•LQMT now has a Beryllium free product which is under FDA review and expected approval. This product will open many new revenue opportunities in the non CE field for the company (most notably medical fields). This could potentially be the biggest future revenue driver.
•LQMT recently partnered with Materion Brush to make their Beryllium free product (LM 105) commercially available. Apple has been under pressure from environmental groups to not use toxic substances in their product, so this new LM105 would meet their needs.
•There was substantial insider buying in 2013 up to .22.
•Despite an initial failed attempt, LQMT has potential in the golf industry with their new approach of selling their product to existing major brands to use in their clubs (as opposed to making their own clubs in competition with major brands). Their new approach may be able to land a contract(s) with the major players as their product is definitely superior to the products currently used be the club manufacturers.
•LQMT has potential in other industries such as aerospace, military, auto, watches, and cutlery to name a few. The potential is definitely quite impressive.
•Last November LQMT signed a sales agreement with the firm Charles J. Librizzi to market their product. This appears to be a qualified firm.
•Last November LQMT lined up a $20M line of credit (not in use but available).
•In March 2014 LQMT hired Paul Hauck as VP of Worldwide Sales. Mr. Hauck has an extremely impressive background and track record in the industry and appears to be a very big step in the right direction for a company looking to start selling their product on a large scale.
•Company management has stated publicly that they have already won contracts but has not stated details due to ongoing mediation with their partner Visser Precision Cast (VPC). Details could be released as soon as mediation is resolved.
•LQMT has already sent out 18 prototype machines to companies in the auto, defense, medical device, and golf industries. However no contracts have been announced due to ongoing mediation with VPC.
•LQMT should definitely earn revenues from all non consumer electronic uses of its product.
•There exists a potential for buyout from either Apple (first refusal) or another company.
•The company is relatively debt free.
•Despite lack of current revenue, stock price may still be considered undervalued due to the great potential growth in the near future.
Negatives:
•It is unclear if LQMT will receive revenues from use in Apple products. The question of royalties appears in question. It would appear if Apple purchases machines from LQMT’s partner, they would receive some revenues.
•The MTA with Visser (VPC) has been the issue of dispute between the two companies and why they have been in arbitration proceedings since November. The fact that it is not resolved is not a good sign and likely holding down the share price at present. LQMT may have to pay Visser to get out of this MTA. The decision to use Visser (which had little/no experience in metal molding when the MTA was signed) appears to be a very bad decision by LQMT management. LQMT shareholders will need a neutral/favorable outcome of this arbitration process. A negative outcome may be detrimental to shareholders (and could include stock dilution). The two parties have until June 16th to resolve their differences. If not then a third party arbitrator will be brought in and a binding decision made within 10 days. It is in LQMT’s best interest to resolve this sooner as many potential investors are likely waiting on the sidelines for this to be resolved.
•LQMT’s leadership appears to be questionable. The company has used stock dilution in the past to provide funds (including substantial salaries). The Visser MTA appears to be a poor decision. Some argue the Apple Agreement was giving away too much for too little. Many investors do not have confidence in management, although recent actions by management appear to show movement in the right direction (noted above).
•Stock dilution is always a threat as the company has very little current revenues.
This is the list I have put together. It appears that there are some near term issues that need to be addressed ASAP as share price declines. Resolution of the Visser MTA and contract announcements would make all of the negatives quickly forgotten. Please make your own determinations, but my opinion is the positives still seem to far outweigh the negatives and would indicate that share price will indeed rise by year end. To what extend remains to be seen, but the potential rise in share price is tremendous versus the share price decline from current. I am currently long LQMT.