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I hardly believe the technology isn't ready for a Liquidmetal phone. Perhaps not for an iMac yet, but surely for a phone casing.
Steipp's Mysterious Liquidmetal Part!
Hey LO, Steipp did not ask me not to mention or describe the Liquidmetal item he pulled from his pocket. So, as best as I can remember what he showed me, here is my recreation of the part:
Anyone have an idea as to what it may be used for, assuming this is a prototype for a future product?
Good read...thanks! One possible correction:
According to my note-taking during the March CC, the 80 NDAs were signed during the course of 2011, not last quarter. But I could have heard and written it down wrong.
Kinetic Energy Penetrator
Kinetic Energy Penetrator
From the 10K issued on 15 March 2011:
"We have used and are using the license fee from this transaction to pay off noteholders and other indebtedness and fund operations. In connection with this transaction, our ongoing obligations to Apple (including the obligation to transfer new intellectual property to CIP) are secured through August 2012 by a security interest in substantially all of our assets, and if we are unable to comply with these obligations, Apple may be entitled to foreclose on such assets."
"Through August 2012" would imply August 31, 2012?
What would be the impact on Liquidmetal's investors? How would it theoretically play out?
Welcome rezarock. A number of companies use the name "Liquid Metal," or variations of it. However, they are not associated with our Liquidmetal® alloy, including the "Acer Liquid Metal" phone.
We are in a few sporting goods products at the moment, including Head tennis racquets and skis. Anyway, you probably know that already. But we're poised to launch anytime! Enjoy the ride
Oracle, message received...wilco!
That is consistent with all the indicators I have considered as well. I am excited for the second half of this year. Even the PERT diagram, if accurately depicted, suggests an upswing going into June. Hey, we are there now!!
What is Liquidmetal getting right now, and without any additional revenue from Apple? We are already seeing the beginning stages of what appears to be a massive ramp-up by Liquidmetal and its partners. But for what? Whether it's Apple-related or not (I believe at least some of it is), these partners, which includes Apple R&D, are laying the foundation and assembling the infrastructure to be able to support demand for an industrialized technology.
Yes, Apple has been working with Liquidmetal engineers to industrialize this technology. It's all part of their contractual obligations. And, unlike Liquidmetal, Apple has virtually no boundaries as to what it can do (within the laws of physics) to perfect the alloy and its process. And let's face it, there is no better company in the world to be partnered with than Apple!! What I do not know are the specifics of their relationship past August 2012.
So, which Chinese company do you believe has the amorphous alloy experience that Liquidmetal or Materion already possess? And of a high level that Apple requires? If you listened to Materion's CC the other day, then you know Materion is already onboard a ship whose time has come!
It seemed that since Intel owned the name "Light Peak," Apple may not have wanted to be joined at the hip with Intel regarding a technology so promising and lucrative. Plus, by applying for a patent for a different (and cool) name that would gain tremendous success and name recognition, Apple pretty much wanted to own it. Apple would be the first out the gate with "THUNDERBOLT!" and Intel could keep their crappy little "light peak" name. Ha ha ha!! I imagine Intel read the patent application and said, "Crap! Apple is one slick company. Didn't see that coming!"
As much as I love Apple products, I will have to freely admit that when a company does a deal with Apple, it must look at every possible angle to try to determine Apple's hidden agenda and how the company might get stuck with not such a rosy deal, when it's all said and done.
Nice try for what? To drop the PPS? Surely you jest if you think my little dinky post was to try to drop the price. I am a long holder, can't afford to buy any more shares. I am loving the upswing!! It was just to make us aware of the fact that Apple has used technologies in the past and changed the name, and it is not out of the realm of possibility that Apple would do it again. Especially since this name has been used by other companies already.
ALERT! APPLE MAY NOT USE LIQUIDMETAL AT ALL!!
Apple worked in close collaboration with Intel on the "Light Peak" technology. But just before the new MacBook Pros went to market, Apple renamed this technology as "Thunderbolt." Not only that, but Apple also applied to patent the Thunderbolt name. Smart!!
In similar fashion, there is a very real possibility that since Apple owns the IP to use Liquidmetal technology in the consumer electronics field, Apple could rename it to something of Apple's choosing. Why would Apple do that? To make the technology appear to be an Apple-designed product. After all, Acer already uses a similar designation for one of its phones, called the "Acer Liquid Metal." There is also "Liquidmetal Motorsports." There is a Liquidmetal Battery Corporation." My gut tells me that Apple may abandon the name "Liquidmetal" and use a cooler one of its own. Will that hurt us? Not at all. In fact, it may actually help us by making this technology even more prestigious and desirable than it may otherwise have been. All in all, I'm pumped!
Acer Liquid Metal
Liquidmetal Motor Sports
Liquid Metal Battery Corporation
To my knowledge, Apple has not made an announcement to use Liquidmetal in the iPhone 5. Apple hasn't even provided us with the next iPhone's nomenclature, much less indicated that Apple will use Liquidmetal at all. But, we all know they will...just a matter of time, and probably not much more of that.
I would buy it TODAY, in a heart beat!!
For us newbie investors, could you please explain why where we are right now is a good thing? Thanks in advance...
Now that's funny right there. I don't care who ya are!
You must be a pygmy, since Liquidmetal walkers are currently limited to about 6 inches long
I am using a 17-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB of Ram, running OS 10.7.3 Lion, and this thing is lightening quick. So I am assuming the problem lies with your Windows PC, your internet connection, or both
Try this:
1. Save all your data
2. Turn the power off
3. Unplug the power cord from the wall
4. Pick up the computer
5. Carry to a hazardous waste recycle center
Ha ha...I'm just kidding...I couldn't resist a cheap Windows jab.
But, hey, you're gonna replace it with a new Liquidmetal-encased computer soon anyway, right? I will in a nanosecond heartbeat!! And I know lqmtapple will also. We may have to start a new club soon
Well said...
There are *at least* three levels to consider:
1. If no Liquidmetal is present in an Apple product by this summer or October.
2. Judging by what this stock did following the announcement of Apple's purchase of Liquidmetal's IP, and what this stock has done in response to uncorroborated rumors, I would say that IF Liquidmetal is being used in an Apple product by October, "at least a dollar by the end of the year" will be a GROSS understatement to say the least.
3. And here's the BIG one: If an Apple presenter says the word "Liquidmetal," I cannot fathom how quickly this stock will climb, continue climbing, AND STAY THERE!
And this does not even take into account follow-up interest by other manufacturers. Indeed, the second half of this year will be very telling--and exciting IMHO.
That's why I had posted earlier how much of a bargain these prices are right now. We look at .38 to .50 and some hope the PPS falls so that they can purchase additional shares. But, in a year from now when the PPS is in the dollars (speculatively speaking for comparison only), today's prices will seem VERY cheap. Good luck all....
Second Half of This Year Promising!
It appears that consensus on this board has been reached regarding Liquidmetal's profitability during the second half of this year. I agree with that conclusion wholeheartedly. However, reaching consensus by a group of people does not reality make, no matter how badly they want something to be true. Ask the people who were drowning during the flood of Noah if their collective voices made a difference Keep in mind, though, that Tom Steipp disclosed the company's aggressive timeline during last year's SHM. And that the company's objectives would see fruition IF company, partnership and R&D milestones were reached. If these were accomplished, THEN we would begin a new chapter going forward. And this chapter, my friends, will not look anything like the old chapter, and we are only a few months away, if that, from entering this chapter. But this also assumes a near-perfect world in which greed will not interfere with the company's progress. However, with Kang out of the decision-making picture, our prospect is much better.
Although Apple Computer is not technically a Certified Liquidmetal Partner (CLP) (or are they Watts?), Apple nonetheless shares the R&D responsibilities with Liquidmetal. For that matter, so does Engel and Materion. I keep reading (from the bashers) about how Liquidmetal surely cannot support Apple's ultra-high production demands with its little beta machine at HQ. That claim is short-sighted and mis-directed, IMHO, because of the production machines are being/will be built to support customer product specifications.
The CLPs are onboard and working together to make the next revolution a reality. And they, collectively, have the manpower and capital to make it happen. It is only a matter of time and Liquidmetal could very well be the next 3M or IBM. But why stop there? This technology has such global appeal, it could go MUCH bigger.
I went back and read my post, several times, to make sure I did not come across as a pumper. What I have shared is based on reality...very little conjecture. Good luck and "HOLD LONG AND PROSPER!"
Little by little, the holdouts on this board are finally realizing that. Are you onboard now?
Ha ha... Now that's funny...I don't care who ya are! You have a witty way of sharing tidbits of wisdom.
This is a free world, in some places, but why do you even post shallow comments like that? Cheerleading will not raise the PPS of this stock, nor does it influence this board. It's just another meritless post I have to open and then immediately close while looking for substantive information.
Ah, you know me, Watts. My wife and I will make a little road trip vacation out of this thing. An easy 1-day drive for us.
There has been much speculation about this stock eventually being re-listed. I see that happening too, especially considering the high quality of our certified partners along with the fact that we are NOW shipping parts globally. It is inevitable! And, according to Steipp, we are to expect increased shipments and revenues going into the second half of this year. So we're talking PPS in dollars, not cents--eventually. In perspective, it is still a GREAT time to load up on shares and support this great enterprise. I am still reminded of NASA's testimonial that the first revolution was steel, the second was plastics, and the third will be Liquidmetal. What guides your investment strategy and vision will determine how profitable you will be--eventually. GLTA!
Great PM, Watts. How many times will we have to learn that lesson?
Sorry, didn't see that you had already posted the information about the telephone archive. Thanks!
From Materion's investor section:
A replay of the call will be available until May 11, 2012 by dialing (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415; please reference Account Number 286 and Conference ID 388589. The call will also be archived on the Company's website.
But I didn't see the archive yet. Whoever finds it first, please post the link...thanks!
That's a great observation! My off-center-hitting brother bought two Liquidmetal drivers, at my recommendation, and both inserts came off. I have seen him hit the ball. There is definitely a cause and effect relationship. Unfortunately, a golf manufacturer must produce clubs that will survive off-center hits. According to my brother, the face came off INTACT. So his was a bonding issue.
Oh, to follow up. At the SHM last year, I shared with Steipp my golfing history with Liquidmetal drivers. He was surprised that I had never had a problem with the Liquidmetal insert cracking OR coming off. Many golfers claimed to have experienced this problem, but not me. He quickly turned and looked at Otis Buchanan and said that is something they needed to look into. He also said that golf was not on Liquidmetal's immediate radar, but he envisioned Liquidmetal taking another crack at it at some future point. I volunteered to be a beta tester for new clubs But right now, Liquidmetal's main thrust was aerospace, medical and non-consumer fields. These are the industries that will launch Liquidmetal into becoming a financially stable company. And with Liquidmetal not having to outlay ANY investment capital to secure partnerships with Engel, Materion, and Visser, we are poised to do VERY WELL with these global leaders.
I have played with Liquidmetal drivers for about 10 years now, long before I ever thought about the company as an investment. And they are crazy long. So I have been with Liquidmetal in one form or another for a long time. I now own a Professor Johnson 9-degree driver, a 15-degree 3-wood, 3-PW irons, and an FA-2 putter. I can say from personal experience that all of these items are good, very good. And I played on an Air Force base championship golf team, so I know how to put these clubs though the rigors.
Regarding the irons, while good, they are not pro friendly. Amateurs and advanced amateurs find the larger cavity-backed irons very forgiving and useful, but pros need to be able to work the ball in all kinds of trajectories and glide paths. And they practice hard every day to develop that skill. To help with this, they prefer the smaller forged heads. If Liquidmetal ever wants to get into pro golf, it must produce these irons or no pro will use them.
How do you know that? Or why do you speculate?
Admittedly, I haven't made too many posts on this board to date. Hope to be more engaging near-term. But when I do, as I see other longs have, I try to provide some tidbit of information that may help my fellow investors. I left the Yahoo board's sinking ship in a life raft because it used up a lot of my time sifting through a ton of cheap, inappropriate character attacks that contributed nothing toward the purpose for which I, and others, had subscribed. This board is different, and I am happy to be onboard a luxury liner. In the back our minds, however, needs to be the realization of how easy it is to slowly devolve into another Yahoo board if we don't monitor ourselves. Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there for a quick, early morning chew.
Live long and prosper!
Could not agree more!
Jobs was a very demanding CEO, and many people did not like him because of his aggressive nature. Good for Apple business no doubt, but not so good in the people person department. Jobs had vision, whether he came up with it himself or not. He knew what he liked, and what he liked would be reflected in Apple's product line--eventually. If he liked something, he owned it. Few people shared his vision or his approach to achieve that vision. And so, he surrounded himself with a few people who could appreciate his vision, because they shared it. I do not see Cook as another Jobs either. However, keep in mind that Cook was Jobs' by name replacement. So something about Cook was, in Jobs' mind, good for Apple. In the supply chain, it's not about personality, it's about money. Apple can lock up supply because they have the capital and the track record for delivering the goods.
According to a report from Reuter's, Qualcomm is having great difficulty meeting the incredible demand for its newest LTE-enabled chips. And this is why there is speculation about an October iPhone launch. However, the report also brings a significant point to light, which is raised by this question: "Is it possible Qualcomm’s supply constraints have anything to do with Apple buying up its capacity?"
It is possible that Apple has bought up the initial supplies and OTHER smartphone manufacturers are the one who will be left wanting? After all, Apple has a track record for getting a leg up on the competition by using its purchasing leverage to buy up existing and short to mid-term future supplies. If this is the case, then a June announcement for a Liquidmetal iPhone would not be out of the question. Watts has realistically speculated that Apple would have little problem purchasing a sufficient number of IM machines, having them tested and calibrated, and even begin production--now!
http://9to5mac.com/2012/04/19/apple-lte-chip-supplier-qualcomm-unable-to-meet-demand-could-push-back-next-iphone-launch/
I will have to say that it brings a smile to my face to read your well-researched and upbeat posts, particularly of late. I could get used to the trend
Mark Hansen was not present at the ASM; what he has brought/will bring to Liquidmetal remains to be seen (at least, for the time being, visibly by shareholders). However, looking at his past and present leadership positions and continuing relationships with a number of major corporations at the board level, he is intimately familiar with big dollar accounts, networking, and the ability to understand, articulate, and sell corporate vision to influence corporate-level decisions by major players. I believe he is/will be a major asset for Liquidmetal. It is interesting to me how a struggling company like Liquidmetal could even attract someone of Hansen's caliber. And since it was not Kang who attracted Hansen, I believe Hansen will stay around to contribute to Liquidmetal's success for a long time.
"Mark Hansen is presently the Managing Partner of Cobalt Development Partners LLC, a firm focusing on the development of emerging consumer and intellectual property companies." This is very interesting because of Liquidmetal's focus on intellectual property. The right man for the right job!