Apple is Officially Liquidmetal's Sugar Daddy

[Michael Essany]

Earlier this week, Paul reported on Apple securing a license for exclusive use of a new, strong, and flexible alloy for use in its products. The alloy, dubbed "Liquidmetal," has better than twice the strength of titanium, but cools quickly and can be easily molded like plastic. As some MMi readers quickly pointed out, this appears to be the first step to fulfilling Sarah Connor's prophecy. Nonetheless, Apple made the deal and "no other electronics manufacturer will be able to use the alloy."

Today, Apple Insider is reporting that Apple's agreement with the alloy maker is officially saving Liquidmetal Technologies from an enormous debt problem. According to Liquidmetal's 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company swiftly paid off its $10.9 million debt with its newfound funds from Apple. "The foregoing obligations were paid with proceeds from the previously announced strategic licensing transaction with Apple Inc.," the filing reads.

Although Apple is yet to publicly comment on its plans for Liquidmetal, it's clear to both industry professionals and casual outside observers that Apple is angling to build stronger and more durable products, especially future generation iPhones. The material in question is so strong "that a one inch wide bar can lift 300,000 pounds, while to a titanium bar the same size that can only lift 175,000 pounds."

Apple Insider

[Xadamx1]

It will be interesting to see where apple goes with this one.

[Poseidon79]

$10.9 million is a drop in the bucket for Apple. Don't they have something along the lines of $30+ Billion in cash in the bank?

[NCMacMan]

Holy crap!

[Flybeast0408]

idoughmac idoughpod I'm Copyrighting this before apple

[mirogster]

Here we are!!

Sincerely,
Skynet

[maxgsteinberg]

this would be pretty interesting to see apple use this technology for the next gen of mac laptops. especially the unibody model remade with this "liquid metal". looking forward to seeing what they do with this...

[smudge9123]

this will just make the newer products more expensive !!!!!!!!!!!!

[NozzyEz]

Awesome... Liquidmetal has a lot of great possibilities, and besides the whole terminator thing, it's gonna be awesome, bring on the next gen devices so we can get closer to the scifi future all we geeks have wet dreams over!

[Eagleye]

If Apple is willing to pay off their debt... then I think its safe to say this liquid metal is gonna be their new Ti.

[zatpgw]

Imagine the shapes that can be made with this! Apple's new laptops are going to be shaped like apples!

[BSmith]

This is going to be revolutionary like the Gorilla Glass!

[alirz]

haha i liked the refrence, Sarah Connor's prophecy, Apple=Skynet. Nice.
Well actually the way Apple handles things with a "dont give a S@it" attitude, they could very well be the base of Skynet,trying to take over the world eventually with their liquid metal,,,, i gotta stock up on some liquid nitrogen just in case

[whereswaldo]

Apple, saving the world one company at a time

[Cold Blood]

well i say if apple wants to build there devices like a tank go ahead just dont charge me extra im cheap

[zozodouce]

$10.9 million that is candy money for apple hahahahahaha.

[Jahooba]

The great thing about Titanium is it's weight to strength ratio. If this alloy weights more than Titanium, then the comparison just isn't very relevant.

Still, I'm happy for Liquidmetal and all the jobs that were saved. Nice!

[Loxs]

Ha, apple couldn't be skynet, sky net built millions of hitech robots. Apple have issues with a white iPhone.

On a side note, perhaps liquidmetal tech. Will spend some of their new wealth to build an iDevice friendly website..

[adrian1480]

$10.9 million is a drop in the bucket for Apple. Don't they have something along the lines of $30+ Billion in cash in the bank?

yes, they do.

[Mooseeeeey]

iNdestructable- Patent it now?