Is Osram Shipping Green Lasers to Microvision?
That's the question and the answers is...
When it comes to green lasers from Osram... you have to first re-set your perspective before looking at the answer.
If you are an optimist, you look at the answer as “glass half full”.
If you are a pessimist, you look at the answer as “glass half empty”.
As for me, I’m a die hard optimist and continue to be so. However, the MVIS stock price currently reflects the most pessimistic view of green laser shipments from Microvision supply chain partners. Having said that, here’s the scoop on green laser shipments from Osram...
“Osram is shipping green lasers to Microvision and ramping-up the numbers”.
Q: When did the shipments start?
A: Don’t know for sure... could be as early as mid October.
Q: What are the shipment quantities?
A: Don’t know for sure, but the initial numbers were good enough for institutional investors to come to the table and put-up over $30 million dollars in secondary equity financing over the Thanksgiving week last month.
Q: What are the ramp-up production rates?
A: That’s perhaps the most well kept secret of them all when it comes to Microvision... because no body seems to know for sure the difference between pre-production quantities vs. production quantities. However, the overall quantities are good enough to get past the institutional investor due diligence process. In my book, what’s good for institutional money is good enough for me.
Q: Would there be an official Microvision announcement?
A: I’m counting on that in the next month or so. It may not be what the pessimists want to hear... but it certainly would please the optimists.
The diode green laser work is moving along well and we are looking at 9 to 12 months more before acceptable power levels of 60mw to 100mw become a reality beyond the labs.
Disclaimer:
"I could have published this post a few weeks ago... but I waited for validation. My validation is the confluence of comments made by various individuals in and around the Microvision supply chain. Please do your own due diligence, just like I have, before making any investment decisions."
When I was a child, my grandmother always used to say...
"Son, take it or leave it... but it is what it is for whatever it is worth!"
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Microvision: Embedded Pico Projector Holy Grail (Part 2)
I just want to make it very clear that...
“I did not say that the embedded pico projector was not the big money play... because it is.”
However, the stand alone PicoP as an accessory is even bigger market. Anyone who ignores the accessory PicoP market is ignorant or just plain arrogant in my book. Intel did not differentiate between CPUs when they went after the market with their "Intel Inside" slogan.
What would "Image by PicoP" mean, if a large population of stand alone accessory pico projectors had someone else's display engine inside? It will be more show than substance, don't you think? Besides, you don’t concede a large segment of the market to the competition without a fight. It’s all in the mindset that oozes with resolve, a sense of ruthlessness and urgency… something missing, so it seems, at Microvision. I call Microvision management’s mindset as: “babes with muted enthusiasm”.
Here’s a comment from Warren at the Google group for Microvision...
“I, for one, would not buy an embedded smart phone and embedded dig camera and embedded laptop and embedded video camera. I would buy an embedded phone, but not all things embedded – at least not until the prices for embedded devices come down. In the short term, I would buy an SA PicoP for all those devices and, like I said, the embedded phone. But I am not everyone.”
Well said Warren... because many others have expressed the same very sentiment.
At times, I get over 1,000 hits a day at the blog followed by many e-mails... and the survey says exactly what you just said. From a year ago report that I published, I have access to hundreds that subscribed and they say [more or less] what you just said.
I play cricket in a New Jersey Cricket League, in a community of over 30,000 IT professionals. And over the years, and through my writings, they have been made quite aware of PicoP display technology and Microvision as the potential investment opportunity... they said [more or less] the same thing in essence.
So, there you have it... more or less that the sentiment of a large population survey, done for free over an 18 month period. Just because the survey did not cost Microvision a million or two... does not mean it holds no value or does not represent the sentiment of a significant number of potential customers of pico projectors.
I would not have written such a strong worded post unless I had some substantial basis... because I do.
Someone hiding behind their anonymous Yahoo ID said this at the message board for Microvision...
“Anant Goel, how is the SA market bigger than embedded? Let's see: Laptops, cameras, camcorders, cell phones and anything with a TV or VGA out will have embedded PicoP so tell me how the SA will be a bigger market than embedded.”
Here’s the short answer…
The competition will not let Microvision monopolize or corner the embedded market… period.
The competition will come-up with dozens of explanations as to why the embedded in every thing digital is not such a good idea… like total cost of ownership, compromised functionality of the host, complexity of the host device, lack of flexibility, limited resource sharing opportunities, higher probability of common mode failure that kicks the host out of operation and so on.
Also, the competition [especially DLP based PicoP] will push the stand alone accessory as a piggy back device that gives the best of both words… as a PicoP with all the benefits of ownership as a stand alone unit, but also with piggy back capability approaching almost embedded functionality. In other words, the competition will try hard to sell the masses with all benefits of PicoP as an accessory unit and in the process hope to overcome the shortcomings of their embedded display engine by offering a piggy back solution.
It could just work for the competition... considering the sheer number and size of some of the players competing for pico projection market share... and possible dominance.
Competition is larger not only in numbers but also in dollars that they can spend to make a plausible case for stand alone PicoP as a compelling alternative to an embedded one from Microvision... for a long time. And time is of essence... because more time it takes for embedded PicoP adoption.... the more time the competition has to find alternate technology to get around Microvision advantage.
For the sake of our investment in MVIS stock, I hope the Microvision management has the vision and foresight to embrace the stand alone PicoP as an accessory unit with the same passion as they have for embedded version.
Here’s little story about IBM that has made the history books…
I was among the first batch of authorized IBM PC Dealers in the US... in early 1979.
IBM never thought that PC would amount to much in their wildest dreams... until it was too late. There was total lack of vision [about the PC] among the pin stripped suit/white shirt stiffs. The top management did not have much interest in the PC business from the beginning to almost the end... and it showed at every middle management level.
Worldwide adoption of the PC shocked many at IBM and destroyed hundreds of promising careers. Lack of vision or arrogance to not admit a mistake in judgment, can be detrimental to the financial health of a small company... but not IBM because they are big and at the time they had other bigger fish [the services business] to fry.
I can write pages on this subject... but I'll not burden you with that now and here. However, I must say that Microvision brass better have vision to see the stand alone pico projector as a viable, durable and profitable product line that will be around, in one form or the other, for a long time.
A few more months delay to market may not hurt Microvision... but lack of vision, ignorance, arrogance or stubbornness would certainly do them in.
[PicoP is the registered trademark of Microvision for their pico projection display module/engine]
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
“I did not say that the embedded pico projector was not the big money play... because it is.”
However, the stand alone PicoP as an accessory is even bigger market. Anyone who ignores the accessory PicoP market is ignorant or just plain arrogant in my book. Intel did not differentiate between CPUs when they went after the market with their "Intel Inside" slogan.
What would "Image by PicoP" mean, if a large population of stand alone accessory pico projectors had someone else's display engine inside? It will be more show than substance, don't you think? Besides, you don’t concede a large segment of the market to the competition without a fight. It’s all in the mindset that oozes with resolve, a sense of ruthlessness and urgency… something missing, so it seems, at Microvision. I call Microvision management’s mindset as: “babes with muted enthusiasm”.
Here’s a comment from Warren at the Google group for Microvision...
“I, for one, would not buy an embedded smart phone and embedded dig camera and embedded laptop and embedded video camera. I would buy an embedded phone, but not all things embedded – at least not until the prices for embedded devices come down. In the short term, I would buy an SA PicoP for all those devices and, like I said, the embedded phone. But I am not everyone.”
Well said Warren... because many others have expressed the same very sentiment.
At times, I get over 1,000 hits a day at the blog followed by many e-mails... and the survey says exactly what you just said. From a year ago report that I published, I have access to hundreds that subscribed and they say [more or less] what you just said.
I play cricket in a New Jersey Cricket League, in a community of over 30,000 IT professionals. And over the years, and through my writings, they have been made quite aware of PicoP display technology and Microvision as the potential investment opportunity... they said [more or less] the same thing in essence.
So, there you have it... more or less that the sentiment of a large population survey, done for free over an 18 month period. Just because the survey did not cost Microvision a million or two... does not mean it holds no value or does not represent the sentiment of a significant number of potential customers of pico projectors.
I would not have written such a strong worded post unless I had some substantial basis... because I do.
Someone hiding behind their anonymous Yahoo ID said this at the message board for Microvision...
“Anant Goel, how is the SA market bigger than embedded? Let's see: Laptops, cameras, camcorders, cell phones and anything with a TV or VGA out will have embedded PicoP so tell me how the SA will be a bigger market than embedded.”
Here’s the short answer…
The competition will not let Microvision monopolize or corner the embedded market… period.
The competition will come-up with dozens of explanations as to why the embedded in every thing digital is not such a good idea… like total cost of ownership, compromised functionality of the host, complexity of the host device, lack of flexibility, limited resource sharing opportunities, higher probability of common mode failure that kicks the host out of operation and so on.
Also, the competition [especially DLP based PicoP] will push the stand alone accessory as a piggy back device that gives the best of both words… as a PicoP with all the benefits of ownership as a stand alone unit, but also with piggy back capability approaching almost embedded functionality. In other words, the competition will try hard to sell the masses with all benefits of PicoP as an accessory unit and in the process hope to overcome the shortcomings of their embedded display engine by offering a piggy back solution.
It could just work for the competition... considering the sheer number and size of some of the players competing for pico projection market share... and possible dominance.
Competition is larger not only in numbers but also in dollars that they can spend to make a plausible case for stand alone PicoP as a compelling alternative to an embedded one from Microvision... for a long time. And time is of essence... because more time it takes for embedded PicoP adoption.... the more time the competition has to find alternate technology to get around Microvision advantage.
For the sake of our investment in MVIS stock, I hope the Microvision management has the vision and foresight to embrace the stand alone PicoP as an accessory unit with the same passion as they have for embedded version.
Here’s little story about IBM that has made the history books…
I was among the first batch of authorized IBM PC Dealers in the US... in early 1979.
IBM never thought that PC would amount to much in their wildest dreams... until it was too late. There was total lack of vision [about the PC] among the pin stripped suit/white shirt stiffs. The top management did not have much interest in the PC business from the beginning to almost the end... and it showed at every middle management level.
Worldwide adoption of the PC shocked many at IBM and destroyed hundreds of promising careers. Lack of vision or arrogance to not admit a mistake in judgment, can be detrimental to the financial health of a small company... but not IBM because they are big and at the time they had other bigger fish [the services business] to fry.
I can write pages on this subject... but I'll not burden you with that now and here. However, I must say that Microvision brass better have vision to see the stand alone pico projector as a viable, durable and profitable product line that will be around, in one form or the other, for a long time.
A few more months delay to market may not hurt Microvision... but lack of vision, ignorance, arrogance or stubbornness would certainly do them in.
[PicoP is the registered trademark of Microvision for their pico projection display module/engine]
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Microvision: Embedded Pico Projector Holy Grail
Every time the competition has something good or beats Microvision to the punch, I hear the same argument…
“Microvision’s money play is and has always been embedded pico projector.”
After hearing the same mantra time after time, especially when Microvision is “all show and no action” in response to a competitor, I’m beginning to finally see the light…
Microvision can not produce any significant quantities of SA pico projectors due to production and technical issues associated with green lasers. To this day, green laser issues continue to haunt Microvision… and it is over 18 months ago the bad news about delays was initially brought to the attention of investors on this board.
After 18 months of fully knowing the green laser issues, Microvision still continues to operate with an army of administrative and support staff that continues to burn over a million dollars a month. There has been some reduction in SGA and R&D expenditure… but it is not enough considering the GL issues have been around for so long and continue to be.
The green laser production and technical issues will be resolved some day, either by Corning or by Osram or by both… but that may take a few more months. Current funding of $31 million by selling 11 million more shares in a fire-sale at $3.00 is a clear indication of the reality of green laser production issues.
Now, think about this for moment: “we talk about the embedded pico projector coming to market towards the end of 2010?"
Is that just a coincidence or there is something more sinister behind this time line?
Yep, you guessed it… it’s the same problematic green lasers that are being touted as second generation green lasers that will be the holy grail of the embedded pico projectors!
Call it whatever you like… but to me it is the same damn green lasers [with some upgrades] that are just taking too long to get commercially ready for mass production. The problem is, Microvision management can’t tell the truth to the stakeholders… because there will be massive dissent. Administering truth in one dose is not a pretty picture at all, but neither are the small doses of revelations [and leaks] that we encounter on a daily basis.
Then again, there is another possibility that Microvision management is just naïve, ignorant, and stubborn in believing that the market for pico projector Standalone Accessory unit is small or that it will disappear when the embedded version shows-up on the scene. Unless the embedded pico projectors gets so damn cheap [like free] and get embedded in every thing digital that a household may decide to buy in the future, I continue to believe that there will be a huge existing market for SA units for a long time.
Consider this…
• If you had to pay for it and had a choice… I’m sure you would rather have one SA pico projector that gets passed around in the family or gets connected to whatever your projection needs are in the list of priorities.
• There are tens of billons of digital devices that exist all over the globe… acquired for trillions of dollars in sunken cost. We are not about to discard our existing digital devices any time soon in favor of purchasing new ones with embedded pico projectors. Having said that, we will buy a SA pico projector to extend the life cycle [and our investment] of our favorite digital gadgets.
• Stand Alone pico projectors have three dimensions of freedom that embedded do not...
• Can you imagine watching a football game with your friends on an embedded smartphone… and then all of a sudden your smartphone rings to alert you of the incoming call? Your choices would be to either ignore the call and apologize to your friends or interrupt the game to take the call? When you embed a pico projector in a smartphone, for example, the functionality of one device is blocked [or is compromised] in exchange for that of the other… and that’s not so good.
• Over a billion households in energy starving Asian and East European countries are potential customers for low energy consuming mobile TV/Projector combo [not embedded] that can be used for personal or public viewing of media content … with the flexibility of connecting the SA pico projector to other digital devices when a need arises to do so.
• It is much more convenient to use a SA pico projector for media content viewing [from a mobile TV] or watching a movie on your combo DVD player/ SA pico projector… from the comfort of your bedroom.
So, there you have it.
In my opinion, the SA pico projector market is lot bigger than the market for the embedded, and it will continue to be so… for as long as the embedded version is an option that costs significant amount of money.
What’s significant amount of money?
Well that depends on who is paying for it?
Besides, uncle Woo died many years ago. So it’s just you and me fending for ourselves.
For my money, I’ll take the Stand Alone pico projector over embedded [in something] anytime.
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
“Microvision’s money play is and has always been embedded pico projector.”
After hearing the same mantra time after time, especially when Microvision is “all show and no action” in response to a competitor, I’m beginning to finally see the light…
Microvision can not produce any significant quantities of SA pico projectors due to production and technical issues associated with green lasers. To this day, green laser issues continue to haunt Microvision… and it is over 18 months ago the bad news about delays was initially brought to the attention of investors on this board.
After 18 months of fully knowing the green laser issues, Microvision still continues to operate with an army of administrative and support staff that continues to burn over a million dollars a month. There has been some reduction in SGA and R&D expenditure… but it is not enough considering the GL issues have been around for so long and continue to be.
The green laser production and technical issues will be resolved some day, either by Corning or by Osram or by both… but that may take a few more months. Current funding of $31 million by selling 11 million more shares in a fire-sale at $3.00 is a clear indication of the reality of green laser production issues.
Now, think about this for moment: “we talk about the embedded pico projector coming to market towards the end of 2010?"
Is that just a coincidence or there is something more sinister behind this time line?
Yep, you guessed it… it’s the same problematic green lasers that are being touted as second generation green lasers that will be the holy grail of the embedded pico projectors!
Call it whatever you like… but to me it is the same damn green lasers [with some upgrades] that are just taking too long to get commercially ready for mass production. The problem is, Microvision management can’t tell the truth to the stakeholders… because there will be massive dissent. Administering truth in one dose is not a pretty picture at all, but neither are the small doses of revelations [and leaks] that we encounter on a daily basis.
Then again, there is another possibility that Microvision management is just naïve, ignorant, and stubborn in believing that the market for pico projector Standalone Accessory unit is small or that it will disappear when the embedded version shows-up on the scene. Unless the embedded pico projectors gets so damn cheap [like free] and get embedded in every thing digital that a household may decide to buy in the future, I continue to believe that there will be a huge existing market for SA units for a long time.
Consider this…
• If you had to pay for it and had a choice… I’m sure you would rather have one SA pico projector that gets passed around in the family or gets connected to whatever your projection needs are in the list of priorities.
• There are tens of billons of digital devices that exist all over the globe… acquired for trillions of dollars in sunken cost. We are not about to discard our existing digital devices any time soon in favor of purchasing new ones with embedded pico projectors. Having said that, we will buy a SA pico projector to extend the life cycle [and our investment] of our favorite digital gadgets.
• Stand Alone pico projectors have three dimensions of freedom that embedded do not...
o Stand Alone pico projector can be passed around in the family… like single resource shared by many.• In the near future, dedicated Mobile TVs will make a big splash in the personal and public viewing of media content… both in real time, a well as, for time shifted mode. Stand Alone pico projector is a natural [and more suitable] companion to mobile TV than an embedded smartphone or cell phone would be.
o Stand Alone pico projector can be attached to any digital device that has a video out… like one-to-many device. On the other hand, embedded is just one-in-one device.
o Cell phones, smartphones, and laptops are considered personal devices and we don’t really like to hand them over to share. On the other hand, SA pico projector can easily be shared.
• Can you imagine watching a football game with your friends on an embedded smartphone… and then all of a sudden your smartphone rings to alert you of the incoming call? Your choices would be to either ignore the call and apologize to your friends or interrupt the game to take the call? When you embed a pico projector in a smartphone, for example, the functionality of one device is blocked [or is compromised] in exchange for that of the other… and that’s not so good.
• Over a billion households in energy starving Asian and East European countries are potential customers for low energy consuming mobile TV/Projector combo [not embedded] that can be used for personal or public viewing of media content … with the flexibility of connecting the SA pico projector to other digital devices when a need arises to do so.
• It is much more convenient to use a SA pico projector for media content viewing [from a mobile TV] or watching a movie on your combo DVD player/ SA pico projector… from the comfort of your bedroom.
So, there you have it.
In my opinion, the SA pico projector market is lot bigger than the market for the embedded, and it will continue to be so… for as long as the embedded version is an option that costs significant amount of money.
What’s significant amount of money?
Well that depends on who is paying for it?
Besides, uncle Woo died many years ago. So it’s just you and me fending for ourselves.
For my money, I’ll take the Stand Alone pico projector over embedded [in something] anytime.
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Microvision: Pico Projector Commercial Ads
While reading news from this morning about Microvision’s pricing of 3.3 million additional shares, I ran into this article…
Microvision release range of Pico-projector Ads for SHOWwx
By Ben Robinson on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 2:23 PM PST In Accessories, The Digital Life
Microvision, which is a company that makes Pico-projectors, has released a series of Ads for it’s Show WX product on YouTube , covering a wide variety of social situations – even including two ladies who are out on the town!
In case you are thinking ‘WTF?’, Pico-projectors are portable projector units, that are touted as being the next big thing in Mobile – literally INside them! I’m not so sure if that’s going to happen on a wider scale as it bulks out the mobile device – but I can definitely see the allure of a small projector, IF it produces good quality. Microvision is one of the leaders in that field.
But enough of that – let’s check out some Ads – one embed below, and then some links for you:
Continues with links to five ads…
http://www.intomobile.com/2009/11/26/microvision-release-range-of-pico-projector-ads-for-show-wx.html
I looked at those ads and my first reaction was: “these are over two years old and someone should really take them off the air… they are so cheesee and silly”.
I’m not the only one with those thoughts. Here’re some more comments that I have gathered to share with you…
• I hope the quality of creative is not typical of future efforts. Pretty weak, I think, and don’t do justice to the product. Better this than nothing? I'm not sure about that.
• These ads are maybe 2 years old with old prototype of MVIS pico projector...
• I would hope that someone would remove these; they do not do justice to the current SHOWwx. They are filled with wrong information, even to the simple eye.
• Elevator Pitch @ 30 seconds ShowWX he is pointing downward, @ 36-38 seconds his device is in color and the presentation is in Black/White, and the best for last @ 40-41 seconds look at the ShowWX he is holding it backwards with the cable coming out of the top. This very edited stuff and really should not be here.
• They are concept videos. Not intended to be 'real'. Thought that was obvious.
• "...Thought that was obvious..." With a date of 26 November 2009 and the statement "Microvision has made 5 new pico projector ads", why would it be obvious?
• Obviously mediocre, I agree, but "concept videos" don't have to be mediocre, just unpolished. What's more, I've been following Microvision closely for well over two years and this is the first time I've seen them. Still, thanks to invinonveritas for explaining that the videos are, in fact, dated material; that's reassuring to know but less reassuring is the fact that they're still out there posing as current ads, "concept" or otherwise.
• But the statement is in error. These are old videos that were posted to the Microvision about 2 years or so ago. The fake nature of the samples is clear to me - sorry, but if you can't spot cheap special effects, that's not something anyone but you can change.
• "The fake nature of the samples is clear to me." They are not fakes at all. They're just bad, a fact which is not in dispute. If they're old too, that doesn't detract from the fact that they're bad, and that Microvision, if it chooses to promote itself in such a manner in the future, had better do much better. Just as I could have done better by making a portion of its so-called "public" offering available to existing retail investors.
• http://www.microvision.com/pico_projector_displays/application_scenarios.html
Thought I posted this earlier, but it does not appear to have arrived.
• FWIW, I can second that the "new" videos are old as I remember watching them on the MVIS website over a year ago, and don't know how much longer they could have been on the site before I had found them.
• These videos should be taken-off the air.
• No man down under like this stuff.
• I will admit, that pisses me off watching that....damn it Microvision.
Here’s what I summarize, after having read dozens of comments…
“Take out the drama and just focus on mobility, physical size, image size, image resolution and quality, vivid colors, brightness of laser light source, focus feature, the low power usage, fast refresh rates, 8 point font text readability, short throw ratio [like watching movies on the ceiling], no heat, long laser life and contrast ratio.”
In other words, you can use all the various settings and scenarios… but focus on the features… with emphasis on those features that differentiate your product from the competition.
We know what lamp based projectors are all about and what their applications, benefits, features and limitations are? To embrace the pico projectors to our list of gadgets that enhance mobility is a relatively small leap of vision… since we already know all about bulky projectors. It’s like going from desktop PC to the notebook PC… where the notebook PC opens-up a whole lot of applications and possibilities. Besides, for over a year now, the pico projectors from TI/DLP and 3M/LcoS have been on the market selling from dozens of retail outlets.
You don’t need to spend money or commercial time, to educate the consumer on the benefits and possible applications of pico projectors. Consumer is well aware of the projectors and understands the mobility feature of pico projectors quite well. Besides, competition has been educating the consumer for over a year now. Just because SHOWwx pico projectors is not yet released in the market place does not mean pico projectors don’t exist.
So, please cut the drama and get to the benefits and features… using the various settings and scenarios to accentuate the differentiating features. This way, you will not only get your message across in the least amount of commercial time, but also the consumer will remember the enhanced features of SHOWwx by associating them to the various real life situations and settings.
These five SHOWwx commercials as mentioned here─ and at the Microvision web site are childish, boring, overbearing and done in a very amateurish manner.
Not something that you would expect from a world class company.
Here’s an example of a professionally done pico projector commercial that gets the message out loud and clear… neat… clean… no drama… no spoon feeding… all facts and a lot left to the imagination.
Click on the YouTube streaming video at the bottom of the article…
http://www.notebooks.com/2009/11/30/take-a-pico-at-these-portable-pico-projectors/
Cinemin Swivel got it right... I have to admit.
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
Microvision release range of Pico-projector Ads for SHOWwx
By Ben Robinson on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 2:23 PM PST In Accessories, The Digital Life
Microvision, which is a company that makes Pico-projectors, has released a series of Ads for it’s Show WX product on YouTube , covering a wide variety of social situations – even including two ladies who are out on the town!
In case you are thinking ‘WTF?’, Pico-projectors are portable projector units, that are touted as being the next big thing in Mobile – literally INside them! I’m not so sure if that’s going to happen on a wider scale as it bulks out the mobile device – but I can definitely see the allure of a small projector, IF it produces good quality. Microvision is one of the leaders in that field.
But enough of that – let’s check out some Ads – one embed below, and then some links for you:
Continues with links to five ads…
*****
Here’s the link…http://www.intomobile.com/2009/11/26/microvision-release-range-of-pico-projector-ads-for-show-wx.html
I looked at those ads and my first reaction was: “these are over two years old and someone should really take them off the air… they are so cheesee and silly”.
I’m not the only one with those thoughts. Here’re some more comments that I have gathered to share with you…
• I hope the quality of creative is not typical of future efforts. Pretty weak, I think, and don’t do justice to the product. Better this than nothing? I'm not sure about that.
• These ads are maybe 2 years old with old prototype of MVIS pico projector...
• I would hope that someone would remove these; they do not do justice to the current SHOWwx. They are filled with wrong information, even to the simple eye.
• Elevator Pitch @ 30 seconds ShowWX he is pointing downward, @ 36-38 seconds his device is in color and the presentation is in Black/White, and the best for last @ 40-41 seconds look at the ShowWX he is holding it backwards with the cable coming out of the top. This very edited stuff and really should not be here.
• They are concept videos. Not intended to be 'real'. Thought that was obvious.
• "...Thought that was obvious..." With a date of 26 November 2009 and the statement "Microvision has made 5 new pico projector ads", why would it be obvious?
• Obviously mediocre, I agree, but "concept videos" don't have to be mediocre, just unpolished. What's more, I've been following Microvision closely for well over two years and this is the first time I've seen them. Still, thanks to invinonveritas for explaining that the videos are, in fact, dated material; that's reassuring to know but less reassuring is the fact that they're still out there posing as current ads, "concept" or otherwise.
• But the statement is in error. These are old videos that were posted to the Microvision about 2 years or so ago. The fake nature of the samples is clear to me - sorry, but if you can't spot cheap special effects, that's not something anyone but you can change.
• "The fake nature of the samples is clear to me." They are not fakes at all. They're just bad, a fact which is not in dispute. If they're old too, that doesn't detract from the fact that they're bad, and that Microvision, if it chooses to promote itself in such a manner in the future, had better do much better. Just as I could have done better by making a portion of its so-called "public" offering available to existing retail investors.
• http://www.microvision.com/pico_projector_displays/application_scenarios.html
Thought I posted this earlier, but it does not appear to have arrived.
• FWIW, I can second that the "new" videos are old as I remember watching them on the MVIS website over a year ago, and don't know how much longer they could have been on the site before I had found them.
• These videos should be taken-off the air.
• No man down under like this stuff.
• I will admit, that pisses me off watching that....damn it Microvision.
Here’s what I summarize, after having read dozens of comments…
“Take out the drama and just focus on mobility, physical size, image size, image resolution and quality, vivid colors, brightness of laser light source, focus feature, the low power usage, fast refresh rates, 8 point font text readability, short throw ratio [like watching movies on the ceiling], no heat, long laser life and contrast ratio.”
In other words, you can use all the various settings and scenarios… but focus on the features… with emphasis on those features that differentiate your product from the competition.
We know what lamp based projectors are all about and what their applications, benefits, features and limitations are? To embrace the pico projectors to our list of gadgets that enhance mobility is a relatively small leap of vision… since we already know all about bulky projectors. It’s like going from desktop PC to the notebook PC… where the notebook PC opens-up a whole lot of applications and possibilities. Besides, for over a year now, the pico projectors from TI/DLP and 3M/LcoS have been on the market selling from dozens of retail outlets.
You don’t need to spend money or commercial time, to educate the consumer on the benefits and possible applications of pico projectors. Consumer is well aware of the projectors and understands the mobility feature of pico projectors quite well. Besides, competition has been educating the consumer for over a year now. Just because SHOWwx pico projectors is not yet released in the market place does not mean pico projectors don’t exist.
So, please cut the drama and get to the benefits and features… using the various settings and scenarios to accentuate the differentiating features. This way, you will not only get your message across in the least amount of commercial time, but also the consumer will remember the enhanced features of SHOWwx by associating them to the various real life situations and settings.
These five SHOWwx commercials as mentioned here─ and at the Microvision web site are childish, boring, overbearing and done in a very amateurish manner.
Not something that you would expect from a world class company.
Here’s an example of a professionally done pico projector commercial that gets the message out loud and clear… neat… clean… no drama… no spoon feeding… all facts and a lot left to the imagination.
Click on the YouTube streaming video at the bottom of the article…
http://www.notebooks.com/2009/11/30/take-a-pico-at-these-portable-pico-projectors/
Cinemin Swivel got it right... I have to admit.
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
Microvision: Vodafone is the first Mobile Phone Carrier as Customer for the Laser Based PicoP Projector SHOWwx
Here’s the news from this morning and is translated from Spanish…
VODAFONE SPAIN LAUNCHES PICO PROJECTOR "SHOWWX" - MICROVISION
The pico Projector "SHOWWX" is an innovative portable laser projector for large projected images when connected to the mobile phone or PC or laptop.
The business and professional customers Vodafone can have this innovative device from 289 €. It will also be available through the Points Program and will be marketed jointly with the smartphone Mini Nokia N97.
Madrid, December 1, 2009 - Vodafone Spain launches Pico projector SHOWWX, an innovative hand portable projector Microvision Inc. (Nasdaq: MVIS), a global leader in innovative ultra-miniature devices for projection and image capture products for mobility applications.
The peak SHOWWX projector uses a revolutionary technology based device laser that projects images of large, bright and alive, who are always focused, regardless of projection distance.
The accessory is a portable projector easy to use and simple management for Users who want to watch and share spontaneous mobile TV, movies, photos, presentations and other content. Customers can use their pocket projector anywhere and connect it to your mobile phone output video, to your laptop or netbook, the computer or to other music devices as MP3'sy with other devices that have video output or VGA functionality and share the experience of a large screen for business presentations on anytime, anywhere. Depending on the ambient light, the size of images projects can range from 12 to 200 ".
New customers can have this innovative device from 289 (without i.v.a.). Customers also will be available through the Points Program, for example for a client with 1200 points, will be available for 247 € (this price includes permanence). Also be marketed jointly with the smartphone Mini Nokia N97.
Alexander Tokman, Microvision President and CEO commented: "We are very proud that Vodafone Spain SHOWWX marketed to their customers. We believe that SHOWWX truly provide a visual experience upgraded to Vodafone customers and an important factor for value added functionality of their mobile devices".
"The introduction of peak SHOWWX Microvision's laser projector in Spain represents a great opportunity for Vodafone to offer value to our customers to improve their experience with their mobile devices, "explained Ignacio Roman, Director of Terminals Business Unit for Spain and Portugal Vodafone.
View images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vodafone_es
Here’s the link to Vodafone web site…
http://www.vodafone.es/conocenos/sala-prensa/notas-prensa/2009/1dic09(3).jsp
Here’s the link to Spanish version pdf file at the Vodafone web site…
http://www.vodafone.es/conocenos/sala-prensa/notas-prensa/2009/att00045046/NP_VODAFONE-PICOPROYECTOR(1dic09).pdf
This is what Microvision had to say at this early in the morning…
http://twitter.com/microvision
Now there is a post at Microvision blog site The Displyground...
Vodafone Spain Launches Microvision’s SHOWWX Laser Pico Projector
http://www.microvision.com/displayground/?p=1249#respond
Well, there you have it.
The news we have been waiting for, while getting all beat-up and bruised by the Wall Street Wizards that gobbled up 11 million shares of Microvision at $3:00 over the Thanksgiving week.
All we got for Thanksgiving was belly-full of turkey and plenty of margin calls for leftovers.
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
VODAFONE SPAIN LAUNCHES PICO PROJECTOR "SHOWWX" - MICROVISION
The pico Projector "SHOWWX" is an innovative portable laser projector for large projected images when connected to the mobile phone or PC or laptop.
The business and professional customers Vodafone can have this innovative device from 289 €. It will also be available through the Points Program and will be marketed jointly with the smartphone Mini Nokia N97.
Madrid, December 1, 2009 - Vodafone Spain launches Pico projector SHOWWX, an innovative hand portable projector Microvision Inc. (Nasdaq: MVIS), a global leader in innovative ultra-miniature devices for projection and image capture products for mobility applications.
The peak SHOWWX projector uses a revolutionary technology based device laser that projects images of large, bright and alive, who are always focused, regardless of projection distance.
The accessory is a portable projector easy to use and simple management for Users who want to watch and share spontaneous mobile TV, movies, photos, presentations and other content. Customers can use their pocket projector anywhere and connect it to your mobile phone output video, to your laptop or netbook, the computer or to other music devices as MP3'sy with other devices that have video output or VGA functionality and share the experience of a large screen for business presentations on anytime, anywhere. Depending on the ambient light, the size of images projects can range from 12 to 200 ".
New customers can have this innovative device from 289 (without i.v.a.). Customers also will be available through the Points Program, for example for a client with 1200 points, will be available for 247 € (this price includes permanence). Also be marketed jointly with the smartphone Mini Nokia N97.
Alexander Tokman, Microvision President and CEO commented: "We are very proud that Vodafone Spain SHOWWX marketed to their customers. We believe that SHOWWX truly provide a visual experience upgraded to Vodafone customers and an important factor for value added functionality of their mobile devices".
"The introduction of peak SHOWWX Microvision's laser projector in Spain represents a great opportunity for Vodafone to offer value to our customers to improve their experience with their mobile devices, "explained Ignacio Roman, Director of Terminals Business Unit for Spain and Portugal Vodafone.
View images at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vodafone_es
Here’s the link to Vodafone web site…
http://www.vodafone.es/conocenos/sala-prensa/notas-prensa/2009/1dic09(3).jsp
Here’s the link to Spanish version pdf file at the Vodafone web site…
http://www.vodafone.es/conocenos/sala-prensa/notas-prensa/2009/att00045046/NP_VODAFONE-PICOPROYECTOR(1dic09).pdf
This is what Microvision had to say at this early in the morning…
http://twitter.com/microvision
Now there is a post at Microvision blog site The Displyground...
Vodafone Spain Launches Microvision’s SHOWWX Laser Pico Projector
http://www.microvision.com/displayground/?p=1249#respond
Well, there you have it.
The news we have been waiting for, while getting all beat-up and bruised by the Wall Street Wizards that gobbled up 11 million shares of Microvision at $3:00 over the Thanksgiving week.
All we got for Thanksgiving was belly-full of turkey and plenty of margin calls for leftovers.
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Microvision Announces Pricing of Public Common Stock Offering
Press Release
Source: Microvision, Inc.
On 9:41 am EST, Thursday November 19, 2009
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS - News), a global leader in light scanning technologies, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 6.7million shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $3.00 per share. Microvision has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.0million shares of its common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. Microvision expects to receive net proceeds, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses, of approximately $18.7million from the offering, or $21.5million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC are the joint book-running managers and Craig Hallum Capital Group LLC is acting as co-manager for the offering. The offering is expected to close on November 24, 2009, subject to customary closing conditions.
Microvision intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, working capital and capital expenditures.
The securities described above are being offered by Microvision pursuant to registration statements on Form S-3 previously filed and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the offering. The offering may be made only by means of the prospectus supplement and the related prospectus relating to the proposed offering, copies of which may be obtained, when available, from Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Attention: Syndicate Prospectus Department, 300 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10017, by telephone at (212) 667-8563, or via email at EquityProspectus@opco.com.
Continues…
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Microvision-Announces-Pricing-bw-160646938.html?x=0&.v=1
The market reaction to additional 7.7 million shares issued, assuming over-allotment option is exercised, to raise $21.5 million in funding has been lot more violent then the 10% dilution [from additional shares] would suggest. To the naked eye the dilution looks like 10% from additional shares. However, when you look at the offering price of $3, a discount of 27% from the closing stock price of $4.11, it makes sense why the stock would drop so much… almost approaching the $3 dollar mark.
That is the management sin of doing a secondary public offering at deep discounts, like 27%, and then pays $1.6 million in fees to secure funding. Obviously, I’m not aware of the circumstances or reasons for the kind of a deal that the management made with Investment Bankers [and brokers] involved. However, one thing is for sure, that the existing shareholders have been diluted─ more than what the management intended to do, but also the unsuspecting shareholders were left at the mercy of unscrupulous financial wizards from Openheimer, Thomas Weisel, and Craig Hallum. And by that I mean the unscrupulous ways of stock manipulation and shorting against the anticipated delivery of stock [6.7 million to 7.7 million shares] from Microvision treasury.
That’s the American Investment Banker, Venture Capitalist and a Broker at work to rip out the heart and soul of a young and promising company in exchange for maximizing their take of the loot. You guessed it! The deep discount of 27% and $1.6 million in fees was, obviously, not enough.
Is that the American way?
I guess so…just look around you and you will see who caused the systemic global financial meltdown… Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch…etc… etc.
I’m sure you get the picture…
“The good old boy network of financial wizards at Wall Street”
Isn’t it?
We know that given the opportunity, the Investment Bankers and Brokers would do what we suspect them to do to make an extra buck. What we don’t know, however, is how naïve and financially unsophisticated the current management at Microvision really is?
It seems like, that the MVIS stock has been manipulated by shorting [from $5.70 to $3.70 in two week period] coming into the announcement of public offering and then covering the short position [from $3.15 to $3.27] after the announcement. The only entities that can do this sort of manipulation would be the parties involved in the public offering. Assuming that Microvision management kept a lid on the details of public offering… the only other parties to the deal would be Oppenheimer, Thomas Weisel and Craig Hallum Capital.
At the close of the day, on November 19th, the MVIS closed at $3.27 [down 84 cents for over 20% down] on a trading volume that is over 7.35million shares [representing about 10% of the float].
What a mess!
Microvision management could have been much smarter in how they handled the secondary public financing of the company. It does not take a rocket scientist to sell 7.7 million shares at 27% discount and pay $1.6 million in fees to raise $21.5 million in total… assuming the option to 1 million shares over-allotment is exercised.
Looking at how 7.35 million shares traded on November 19th, the day of announcement, it is apparent that a “Stock Rights Offering” to existing shareholders could have been easily subscribed. Stock rights offering is a very common practice in London financial markets [and Asian countries] and is the most preferred mode of financing among conservative and financially savvy CFOs/CEOs.
Do a Google search on "Rights Offering" and you will find hundreds of companies doing it... right here in the US. A stock rights offering is a very basic and simple way of funding... something that the 40+ year old CFOs/CEOs find too simplistic in light of their shining MBA's and Six Sigma Black Belt certifications.
Over the last two years, all the financing that has taken place at Microvision makes you wonder about the financial savvy and financial negotiating skills of that in-charge. These are very blunt and critical words… but I say it as I see it. As an investor in MVIS stock, with hard earned money on the line, I don’t think I need to be pussy footing around the financial management savvy of the current management and worry about their fragile feelings.
So, having said all that, which sounds more like venting my frustration, where we go from here?
First, let me advise you to do your own due diligence. And if you’re due diligence tells you to hold your position in MVIS and possibly add at these discounted price level... then do so? Because that’s exactly how I feel in-spite of all that has taken place over the last two trading days.
Next, the bottom line, as I see it, and then a few words to explain why I feel that way…
“Microvision story is very compelling and it remains the opportunity of a lifetime… there is no doubt about that. Personally, I would hold my current position─ except for what I may have to sell to cover my margin calls, and then in the future add to my position when and if my finances permit me to do so.”
I am certainly disappointed in the management’s handling of this public offering… that exposed the unsuspecting retail investors to the unscrupulous ways of Wall Street wizards. I am not surprised that this offering has had such a negative impact on the MVIS stock price. When a company gives 27% discount to the Wall Street wizards, you would expect the stock price to eventually gravitate towards that offering price… $3 dollars in this case.
In my humble opinion, the long-term outlook for this company has not changed. I say “my humble opinion”, because the market action of November 19th and the resultant financial impact on portfolio valuations can make even the strongest of believers question in what they truly believe… a sure sign of humility.
In hindsight, maybe there was a better way to do the financing. Maybe there was a better way to manage the SHOWwx launch. Maybe there was a better way to announce the OEM partner names. Maybe there was a better way to announce the purchase order from the global mobile phone carrier.
That’s just too many “maybe”… but then again I'm not with the company, so I really don't know what’s causing this muted enthusiasm while giving away the store at below wholesale prices.
I don’t think that Microvision's management is inept, or trying to compromise the interests of the company or the shareholders, and I certainly don't think they have any ulterior motives. If I thought that, I would not have invested in this company for the long term and just traded for quick profits… or just sold every share and walked away. If anyone here truly thinks that's the case, I would encourage them to do the same.
Pico projection technology has a big future, and Microvision's laser PicoP display technology is the best platform for delivering applications to an enormous global market.
Additional capital was needed… there is no doubt about that. Now Microvision has that capital… at least for the next year or so.
It is disappointing to see the many thousands of dollars in portfolio value disappear in the short term. However, the long term potential and the opportunity of a lifetime stays intact.
Consider this…
• Stock prices go down as well as up─ and we had a nice ride up, from 77 cents to $5.70, and now a rough ride back down to $3.32.
• Stock prices may resume again when we hear that Osram has started shipping the green lasers in quantities, product is being sold by Mint, Uniden, Vodafone [name not yet officially disclosed], and as we start to get some more information about the embedded version of laser PicoP display engine and its applications.
• The fundamental story has not changed. Microvision has the killer app for consuming mobile content, and all signs point to that market expanding at a huge pace.
• We're not there yet, as evidenced by the continuing need to raise funds, but we're headed in the right direction as we get closer every day.
Some of us, I’m sure, are still sitting on a huge gain for the year. The extra profits that we had after the late August run-up, and before the recent drop from $4.11 to $3.32, is the value that was in the portfolio that you didn't have back in early August. When the portfolios swell in value, the gains feel great…and the losses make you anxious, but I have a lot of confidence that we haven't seen the last of the gains.
So that's my take on the current funding… and a few words of comfort from experience.
Excessive dilution, stock shorting and manipulation are all very sickening… but it's something we have to deal with and learn to understand as the ways of the Wall Street West.
You and I can criticize management for the way the public offering, to raise $21.5 million in funding, was done but none of us really knows the full story.
So, give the management the benefit of the doubt, do some due diligence, and look at the future potential of Microvision stock investment with a fresh perspective.
If you see, what I see… you should hold your current position and add to it at these low prices… if and when your finances permit you to do so.
[If some of the words look a bit familiar towards the end... then you have read Paul Anderson post on Yahoo Message Board... just like I did. Our writing style is not much different... so here is the credit to you Mr. Anderson before you get bent out of shape.]
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
Source: Microvision, Inc.
On 9:41 am EST, Thursday November 19, 2009
REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS - News), a global leader in light scanning technologies, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 6.7million shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $3.00 per share. Microvision has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.0million shares of its common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. Microvision expects to receive net proceeds, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses, of approximately $18.7million from the offering, or $21.5million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC are the joint book-running managers and Craig Hallum Capital Group LLC is acting as co-manager for the offering. The offering is expected to close on November 24, 2009, subject to customary closing conditions.
Microvision intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, working capital and capital expenditures.
The securities described above are being offered by Microvision pursuant to registration statements on Form S-3 previously filed and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the offering. The offering may be made only by means of the prospectus supplement and the related prospectus relating to the proposed offering, copies of which may be obtained, when available, from Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Attention: Syndicate Prospectus Department, 300 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY, 10017, by telephone at (212) 667-8563, or via email at EquityProspectus@opco.com.
Continues…
*****
Here’s the link to the news from this morning…http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Microvision-Announces-Pricing-bw-160646938.html?x=0&.v=1
The market reaction to additional 7.7 million shares issued, assuming over-allotment option is exercised, to raise $21.5 million in funding has been lot more violent then the 10% dilution [from additional shares] would suggest. To the naked eye the dilution looks like 10% from additional shares. However, when you look at the offering price of $3, a discount of 27% from the closing stock price of $4.11, it makes sense why the stock would drop so much… almost approaching the $3 dollar mark.
That is the management sin of doing a secondary public offering at deep discounts, like 27%, and then pays $1.6 million in fees to secure funding. Obviously, I’m not aware of the circumstances or reasons for the kind of a deal that the management made with Investment Bankers [and brokers] involved. However, one thing is for sure, that the existing shareholders have been diluted─ more than what the management intended to do, but also the unsuspecting shareholders were left at the mercy of unscrupulous financial wizards from Openheimer, Thomas Weisel, and Craig Hallum. And by that I mean the unscrupulous ways of stock manipulation and shorting against the anticipated delivery of stock [6.7 million to 7.7 million shares] from Microvision treasury.
That’s the American Investment Banker, Venture Capitalist and a Broker at work to rip out the heart and soul of a young and promising company in exchange for maximizing their take of the loot. You guessed it! The deep discount of 27% and $1.6 million in fees was, obviously, not enough.
Is that the American way?
I guess so…just look around you and you will see who caused the systemic global financial meltdown… Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch…etc… etc.
I’m sure you get the picture…
“The good old boy network of financial wizards at Wall Street”
Isn’t it?
We know that given the opportunity, the Investment Bankers and Brokers would do what we suspect them to do to make an extra buck. What we don’t know, however, is how naïve and financially unsophisticated the current management at Microvision really is?
It seems like, that the MVIS stock has been manipulated by shorting [from $5.70 to $3.70 in two week period] coming into the announcement of public offering and then covering the short position [from $3.15 to $3.27] after the announcement. The only entities that can do this sort of manipulation would be the parties involved in the public offering. Assuming that Microvision management kept a lid on the details of public offering… the only other parties to the deal would be Oppenheimer, Thomas Weisel and Craig Hallum Capital.
At the close of the day, on November 19th, the MVIS closed at $3.27 [down 84 cents for over 20% down] on a trading volume that is over 7.35million shares [representing about 10% of the float].
What a mess!
Microvision management could have been much smarter in how they handled the secondary public financing of the company. It does not take a rocket scientist to sell 7.7 million shares at 27% discount and pay $1.6 million in fees to raise $21.5 million in total… assuming the option to 1 million shares over-allotment is exercised.
Looking at how 7.35 million shares traded on November 19th, the day of announcement, it is apparent that a “Stock Rights Offering” to existing shareholders could have been easily subscribed. Stock rights offering is a very common practice in London financial markets [and Asian countries] and is the most preferred mode of financing among conservative and financially savvy CFOs/CEOs.
Do a Google search on "Rights Offering" and you will find hundreds of companies doing it... right here in the US. A stock rights offering is a very basic and simple way of funding... something that the 40+ year old CFOs/CEOs find too simplistic in light of their shining MBA's and Six Sigma Black Belt certifications.
Over the last two years, all the financing that has taken place at Microvision makes you wonder about the financial savvy and financial negotiating skills of that in-charge. These are very blunt and critical words… but I say it as I see it. As an investor in MVIS stock, with hard earned money on the line, I don’t think I need to be pussy footing around the financial management savvy of the current management and worry about their fragile feelings.
So, having said all that, which sounds more like venting my frustration, where we go from here?
First, let me advise you to do your own due diligence. And if you’re due diligence tells you to hold your position in MVIS and possibly add at these discounted price level... then do so? Because that’s exactly how I feel in-spite of all that has taken place over the last two trading days.
Next, the bottom line, as I see it, and then a few words to explain why I feel that way…
“Microvision story is very compelling and it remains the opportunity of a lifetime… there is no doubt about that. Personally, I would hold my current position─ except for what I may have to sell to cover my margin calls, and then in the future add to my position when and if my finances permit me to do so.”
I am certainly disappointed in the management’s handling of this public offering… that exposed the unsuspecting retail investors to the unscrupulous ways of Wall Street wizards. I am not surprised that this offering has had such a negative impact on the MVIS stock price. When a company gives 27% discount to the Wall Street wizards, you would expect the stock price to eventually gravitate towards that offering price… $3 dollars in this case.
In my humble opinion, the long-term outlook for this company has not changed. I say “my humble opinion”, because the market action of November 19th and the resultant financial impact on portfolio valuations can make even the strongest of believers question in what they truly believe… a sure sign of humility.
In hindsight, maybe there was a better way to do the financing. Maybe there was a better way to manage the SHOWwx launch. Maybe there was a better way to announce the OEM partner names. Maybe there was a better way to announce the purchase order from the global mobile phone carrier.
That’s just too many “maybe”… but then again I'm not with the company, so I really don't know what’s causing this muted enthusiasm while giving away the store at below wholesale prices.
I don’t think that Microvision's management is inept, or trying to compromise the interests of the company or the shareholders, and I certainly don't think they have any ulterior motives. If I thought that, I would not have invested in this company for the long term and just traded for quick profits… or just sold every share and walked away. If anyone here truly thinks that's the case, I would encourage them to do the same.
Pico projection technology has a big future, and Microvision's laser PicoP display technology is the best platform for delivering applications to an enormous global market.
Additional capital was needed… there is no doubt about that. Now Microvision has that capital… at least for the next year or so.
It is disappointing to see the many thousands of dollars in portfolio value disappear in the short term. However, the long term potential and the opportunity of a lifetime stays intact.
Consider this…
• Stock prices go down as well as up─ and we had a nice ride up, from 77 cents to $5.70, and now a rough ride back down to $3.32.
• Stock prices may resume again when we hear that Osram has started shipping the green lasers in quantities, product is being sold by Mint, Uniden, Vodafone [name not yet officially disclosed], and as we start to get some more information about the embedded version of laser PicoP display engine and its applications.
• The fundamental story has not changed. Microvision has the killer app for consuming mobile content, and all signs point to that market expanding at a huge pace.
• We're not there yet, as evidenced by the continuing need to raise funds, but we're headed in the right direction as we get closer every day.
Some of us, I’m sure, are still sitting on a huge gain for the year. The extra profits that we had after the late August run-up, and before the recent drop from $4.11 to $3.32, is the value that was in the portfolio that you didn't have back in early August. When the portfolios swell in value, the gains feel great…and the losses make you anxious, but I have a lot of confidence that we haven't seen the last of the gains.
So that's my take on the current funding… and a few words of comfort from experience.
Excessive dilution, stock shorting and manipulation are all very sickening… but it's something we have to deal with and learn to understand as the ways of the Wall Street West.
You and I can criticize management for the way the public offering, to raise $21.5 million in funding, was done but none of us really knows the full story.
So, give the management the benefit of the doubt, do some due diligence, and look at the future potential of Microvision stock investment with a fresh perspective.
If you see, what I see… you should hold your current position and add to it at these low prices… if and when your finances permit you to do so.
[If some of the words look a bit familiar towards the end... then you have read Paul Anderson post on Yahoo Message Board... just like I did. Our writing style is not much different... so here is the credit to you Mr. Anderson before you get bent out of shape.]
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Microvision: You Have Competition [Updated]
November 12 2009
I’m sure there will be many players in the pico projection "standalone" space... 3M with LcoS and TI with DLP technologies.
However, no matter how you slice-it or dice-it, Microvision has, in my opinion, no competition in the laser based “embedded” pico projection space... not TI… and certainly not 3M.
Microvision’s laser pico pojector SHOWwx could still lead the “standalone” rat pack because of the following:
• Small form factor that allows room to add additional built-in functionality. The competition starts-out big and can only get bigger.
• Power consumption will always be the differentiating factor. Two to three hours of use between battery charges is always more desirable than the ones that last an hour or less. Extra power pack(s) will make SHOWwx at par with competition... but there is a high probability that the user will opt for longer run on batteries. How often do you remember scrambling for a power pack when you need one?
• “A wide angle view means that SHOWwx can show a wider screen at closer distant!” This is a very important differentiation as compared to the “rest” in the market. With Microvision's SHOWwx you get…
“A wider image [60 inch from 5 feet away, for example] from a close distance… the image is brighter and sharper… colors are more vibrant… and the image is always in focus”.
• Laser based pico projectors like SHOWwx will always have projected image in focus… regardless of the distance [from the screen] or mobility of the projector itself. Try focusing a projector every time you move [with the projector] or change the distance from the screen to change the size of the image.
• SHOWwx has better image quality and is sharper [per lumen] as compared to other projectors using “diffused” light sources the competition is using. The use of diffused light source, like lamps or LED, causes the “torch effect”… where the image is brighter in the center with darker outside.
• One other problem the panel display based pico projectors have is the black outline for each pixel that shows up in their images. Laser based pico projectors like SHOWwx do not have that problem and as such projected images will always be brighter and sharper.
• Microvision’s SHOWwx can go from 12inch to 200inch diagonal image size. None of the competitor has [so far] been able to match what Microvision is offering.
• SHOWwx projects bright and vivid color with 5000:1 contrast ratio.
• SHOWwx projects bright and vivid color images without motion blur because of its inherent fast refresh feature from laser light source.
• SHOWwx has better resolution [at 848x480] as compared to the competing technologies from 3M and TI.
• Microvision’s PicoP display engine is progressing nicely on upwards pathway to higher brightness of 20 lumens using the second generation green laser G-2000 from Corning. After the CEATEC 2009 expo, engadget had this to say about the first generation SHOWwx…
"We stopped at Microvision booth at CEATEC in order to take a look at what makes the world's first laser based pico projector so special and we can honestly say that the picture was pretty stunning."
Here’s the link engadget report…
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/06/video-microvisions-laser-based-show-wx-pico-projector-shines-a/
Now just imagine what their comments would be like when they see the second generation SHOWwx with 20 lumens of brightness and HD resolution.
Microvision will be demonstrating several integrated product(s) at the CES 2010 expo in January and have signed-up a few major players to evaluate commercial PEKs. Competition, like 3M and TI, have their LED based pico projectors on the market for over six months… but they are not selling too well… and their prices keep coming down almost every month.
However, Pico projector market is just developing and is expected to take-off in 2010…
http://fixed-mobile-convergence.tmcnet.com/topics/mobile-communications/articles/54130-report-picoprojector-revenues-will-exceed-1-billion.htm
Competition is good and will help with faster adoption of pico projectors by the billion plus unit market. To be a huge financial success, Microvision needs only a small percentage of the overall market that finally adopts the technology.
My money continues to be on Microvision.
However, I am keeping an eye on the competition… including TI, 3M, Syndiant and host of others that have joined in the foray.
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
I’m sure there will be many players in the pico projection "standalone" space... 3M with LcoS and TI with DLP technologies.
However, no matter how you slice-it or dice-it, Microvision has, in my opinion, no competition in the laser based “embedded” pico projection space... not TI… and certainly not 3M.
Microvision’s laser pico pojector SHOWwx could still lead the “standalone” rat pack because of the following:
• Small form factor that allows room to add additional built-in functionality. The competition starts-out big and can only get bigger.
• Power consumption will always be the differentiating factor. Two to three hours of use between battery charges is always more desirable than the ones that last an hour or less. Extra power pack(s) will make SHOWwx at par with competition... but there is a high probability that the user will opt for longer run on batteries. How often do you remember scrambling for a power pack when you need one?
• “A wide angle view means that SHOWwx can show a wider screen at closer distant!” This is a very important differentiation as compared to the “rest” in the market. With Microvision's SHOWwx you get…
“A wider image [60 inch from 5 feet away, for example] from a close distance… the image is brighter and sharper… colors are more vibrant… and the image is always in focus”.
• Laser based pico projectors like SHOWwx will always have projected image in focus… regardless of the distance [from the screen] or mobility of the projector itself. Try focusing a projector every time you move [with the projector] or change the distance from the screen to change the size of the image.
• SHOWwx has better image quality and is sharper [per lumen] as compared to other projectors using “diffused” light sources the competition is using. The use of diffused light source, like lamps or LED, causes the “torch effect”… where the image is brighter in the center with darker outside.
• One other problem the panel display based pico projectors have is the black outline for each pixel that shows up in their images. Laser based pico projectors like SHOWwx do not have that problem and as such projected images will always be brighter and sharper.
• Microvision’s SHOWwx can go from 12inch to 200inch diagonal image size. None of the competitor has [so far] been able to match what Microvision is offering.
• SHOWwx projects bright and vivid color with 5000:1 contrast ratio.
• SHOWwx projects bright and vivid color images without motion blur because of its inherent fast refresh feature from laser light source.
• SHOWwx has better resolution [at 848x480] as compared to the competing technologies from 3M and TI.
• Microvision’s PicoP display engine is progressing nicely on upwards pathway to higher brightness of 20 lumens using the second generation green laser G-2000 from Corning. After the CEATEC 2009 expo, engadget had this to say about the first generation SHOWwx…
"We stopped at Microvision booth at CEATEC in order to take a look at what makes the world's first laser based pico projector so special and we can honestly say that the picture was pretty stunning."
Here’s the link engadget report…
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/06/video-microvisions-laser-based-show-wx-pico-projector-shines-a/
Now just imagine what their comments would be like when they see the second generation SHOWwx with 20 lumens of brightness and HD resolution.
Microvision will be demonstrating several integrated product(s) at the CES 2010 expo in January and have signed-up a few major players to evaluate commercial PEKs. Competition, like 3M and TI, have their LED based pico projectors on the market for over six months… but they are not selling too well… and their prices keep coming down almost every month.
However, Pico projector market is just developing and is expected to take-off in 2010…
http://fixed-mobile-convergence.tmcnet.com/topics/mobile-communications/articles/54130-report-picoprojector-revenues-will-exceed-1-billion.htm
Competition is good and will help with faster adoption of pico projectors by the billion plus unit market. To be a huge financial success, Microvision needs only a small percentage of the overall market that finally adopts the technology.
My money continues to be on Microvision.
However, I am keeping an eye on the competition… including TI, 3M, Syndiant and host of others that have joined in the foray.
Anant Goel
http://www.wealthbyoptions.com/
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