I used to post on Yahoo anything that referenced ferroelectric. I did that primarily so we could all see the market acceptance of the technology. I stopped when one of the posters on the board complained. It is very important for industry to try and use core technology in unique and different ways. This shows an acceptance of a given component. Plus competition forces such moves. And competition is what drives FRAM. That started three years ago with the focus on HDTV and also cameras and projectors. I have seen the same thing happen with other technologies and know this is a path to greater volume and profit. RMTR could never do it on its own. Fortunately TI stepped up, however their initial planned projection for the use of FRAM (cellphones) pretty much ended when TI and NOK had a falling out. I have noted that NOK is using DDR as cell memory in their recent phones. All this could change but the QCOM and NOK battles indirectly stop a lot of innovation for fear of injunctions. Hopefully this will be resolved this year, but I would not cross my fingers or make a bet on it.
My initial purchase of RMTR was for smart cards, with a emphasis on medical products. I don't think that will happen in my lifetime, as I am approaching 73 with existing health issues. Fortunately it appears that RMTR has a chance at becoming technology of choice in Automotive. I doubt that pinnacle will be reached during my time as Detroit reacts very slowly. We can all pray for additional options in vehicles. As far as Id's, those new to RMTR and the technology should realize that FRAM in ID cards was heavily evaluated about 15 years ago for the middle east. With this time frame in mind, investors should realize that this slow uptake of FRAM is "sort of" getting traction now. Unless we get some institution to jump on the stock, I see only a gradual appreciation. As I have said before 3 steps forward, 2 steps back. When I sold before at $32. The runup was caused by a Canadian fund advisor pushing the stock because there was FRAM in the Sony PlayStation at that time. I jumped into the stock because of the unique story they had for memory. It has not gained any traction in the areas I had hopped it would. Right now with the glut in the market place, I am happy that RMTR is now more solid in a niche. Here in Idaho the glut in memory has had a negative effect on MU and some of my neighbors. The one thing in lifetime that I have found to be absolute is change never occurs very fast. With TI dabbling with a fabless concept, and having an idea of what it takes to deal with the better fabs, I still think that eventually RMTR will be goobled up. If I were a buyer, I would buy RMTR before it takes off and hopefully if it had some solid design wins. I note that there were a few options
exercised recently. Thank heaven for SOX. The courts are now working through the suits concerning backdating of options,and theyare hitting the lawbreakers pretty hard, finally.
Things to watch. I recall a few years ago when a Chinese fab openly discussed doing business with Ramtron. I wonder what happened to them? I would guess that they needed funds to develop FRAM and the funds were not available, and in addition that would have been competition for TI. TI sends me an e-mail update weekly and frankly I am watching them closer than usual. They are sending out a fair amount of mixed messages so my corporate history tells me there is a power struggle going on with different ideas bouncing around their executive row. I look for another rate cut next week. After all, it is an election year.
My last comment will be on TITT. In my 50+ years of investing,I have made 100's of different trades, all with an intent to make a buck. Of all of the pots at the end of the rainbow, Titan Technologies is the only one I have been proud of. TITT has the technology to correct a social injustice and make our environment a safer and a healthier place to live. I never bought it for me to make money. I bought it with the hope my family would have some benefit, but I have known that the impact from the technology would occur long after I am gone. There are millions of waste tires and millions of circuit boards (e-waste) scattered around our world. Burning both waste piles contributes lethal clouds to our environment
with the majority of the ill effects on the poor of the world.
I won't make the ground breaking ceremony in Texas but if they have a ceremony towards the end of the year when they push the "on" button I hope to be there, even if I am full to the gills with pain killers. Back to the VA tomorrow.
As usual, the above is only my opinion. |
