Don't show againuWink Completes 100 Terminal Integration at Retirement Community
uWink (NASDAQ: UWKI.OB) finally completed their deal with InSite Development, a real estate company that rehabilitates and develops properties in the Southern California area, that placed 100 uWink touch screen terminals within InSite’s latest real estate development for seniors, Arbor Court, in Lancaster, CA.
This groundbreaking deal is the first of its kind, and pairs 100 of uWink’s touch screen terminals in a common area where seniors can play and interact with the terminals via group games such as bingo, or solo games that are designed to increase memory and stave off the ravages of the aging process.
Now that these terminals are fully installed, what does this mean for the retirees that live in Arbor Court? Can these types of games really help stave off age related dementia and loss of cognitive functions and memory? And what will this deal portend for future uWink software licensing deals?
New to the uWink story?
uWink is an entertainment and hospitality software development company that develops casual, interactive, social games, in addition to licensing the rights to those games and their proprietary touch-screen ordering and gaming interface to restaurants, entertainment venues and the hospitality industry.
uWink also owns and operates three restaurants under the uWink brand name that utilize this technology.
uWink’s CEO is Nolan Bushnell, who also founded Atari Inc. (OTC: ATAR.PK) and Chuck E. Cheese’s, now known as CEC Entertainment (NYSE: CEC).
Want More?
- Start: with my initial buy recommendation and company overview here,
- OR: read about uWink’s latest deal to test their terminals at a Chili’s Too Margarita Grill, and possible expansion plans to other Chili’s restaurants here.
Long Awaited Integration at Arbor Court Complete
Organized Recreation and Therapy (E-COURT) designed to stimulate the brain
uWink has teamed up with InSite on this revolutionary approach to social and active gaming that is designed to stave off the ravages of old age, including the early onset of Alzheimer’s, memory loss related to strokes and other mentally debilitating diseases, so that Arbor Court tenants can remain independent and active.
I’m sure when most people think about uWink’s terminals in their three restaurant locations, and the ones now being tested at the Chili’s Too Margarita Grill at the Fort Lauderdale Airport, senior housing/gaming is probably not at the top of your list in terms of potential applications of uWink’s software.
Nonetheless, this just goes to show the potential ubiquity of uWink’s terminals, software and gaming applications, and its usefulness to all industry types and demographic niches within the hospitality industry.
Dubbed “E-COURT” (Experimental Center for Organized Recreation and Therapy), the facility features 100+ touch screen terminals running uWink’s unique multi-player digital entertainment technology.
In fact, uWink cited a couple of studies that showed that these types of games and a group gaming atmosphere, enhances the community aspect of these senior communities, and therefore is more likely to get people involved on a continual basis. (Source: Motivational Effects on Memory: Chance of Winning, Group Structure and Gender, L. Ngaosuvan)
In fact, scientist have proven that certain computer games actually increase cognitive functions in seniors and have found that new brain cells and new pathways can be developed throughout life, regardless of your age. (Source: Journal of Neurology, Nov. 2006)
While other companies have created computer games for individuals, the uWink platform is the first to allow seniors to compete head-to-head playing a suite of senior-adapted digital games, including Bingo, uWink Scene Investigation (a riff on the popular CSI television series) and Picture Perfect (a “find the differences” game).
Game launching and scoring are fully automated through the uWink software allowing for easy game play at any time, and large wall projections, also powered by uWink technology, display the games as well as real-time leader-boards providing a fun and engaging environment for participants.
In addition, the uWink platform will also allow residents to play in excess of 80 individual games and interact with other digital entertainment on the touch screens.
InSite and uWink are currently collaborating on the development of a number of additional senior-specific single and multi-player games to be rolled out in the facility shortly.
So what does this mean for uWink’s future…?
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(16) comments to “uWink Completes 100 Terminal Integration at Retirement Community”
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October 2nd, 2008 at 3:16 am
Again - From the 8/15/08 Q: “We also believe that the technology we have developed, and are continuing to develop, can be deployed more broadly in the hospitality and public-space markets including in HOTELS, CASUAL / FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, BARS, APARTMENTS, UNIVERSITIES, STADIUMS, THEME PARKS, CASINOS, AND GOLF AND SKI RESORTS.” - And Airport’s, And senior housing/gaming.
A Great Report, well said Chris.
uBuy until uSell - uWink, uWait, uWin! - Netman
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I live in New Jersey and I see this type of touch screen technology in every Wawa I go into (and they’re everywhere here). Wawa is like a fast food/convenience store that is huge in the Northeast. I was wondering if this is Uwink technology? And if it isn’t, this type of technology is out there right now and somebody’s cleaning up on it because it’s fantastic. You can order anything you want in a matter of seconds!
October 4th, 2008 at 12:19 am
Tim,
No this is not uWink technology.
Touch screen ordering and self service has been around for a long time, but what was the last restaurant that you visited that had this for ordering food where you didn’t interact with a server, and played games against other tables?
Don’t confuse point of sale (POS) technology with the unique games and customer interaction that uWink is providing.
Sure, if a hospitality company merely wants uWink’s POS system, I’m sure they won’t say no, but the whole point of their technology is to save money, and entertain the guests.
uWink does both.
Chris
October 19th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Chris:
I’ve been following uWink since you recommended it. Have you followed up on how the terminals are being accepted at Arbor Court? I know it’s been only a few weeks but It’d be great to hear some news.
Thanks,
Claude
October 19th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Hey Claude,
No, I haven’t checked into how well they are being received. The problem with that is that if I asked management, I doubt they would tell me if things weren’t going well.
So, it is almost a moot point.
I think that the proof would be in future orders. If it is well accepted, we’ll know soon enough, other than having a family member be there using them, or driving there and using them ourselves, there’s no other way to know other than seeing if future orders pan out.
As they say, the proof will be in the pudding!
Chris
November 10th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I’ve recently bought into uWink stock through a couple of order. One was at .38 a share and another at .26 a share. The stock is now at .24 a share, while you recommended to buy it at a higher price. How much do you expect uWink stock to go up and how soon do you believe this may occur? By the way, I greatly appreciate this site. It has been very helpful as I’ve entered this volatile market.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Tyler,
I do not make predictions on short term stock movement, that’s not the game I’m into.
However, I can tell you that as long as you account for the risk involved with uWink, and that it is quite possible that you could lose all your money, then we can look at the reward.
That reward to me is a stock that is in the $2-3 range within a few years if not sooner as a result of continued execution of their business model, and further penetration of their terminals into more and more businesses.
Chris
November 18th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Hi Chris,
UWKI has gone down over 50% in the last few days. Is there any reason for such a huge downturn?
Thanks,
Ryan
November 18th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Ryan,
I don’t presume to know what is happening in a stock from day to day, aside from special news associated with that company.
As for uWink, the market has crashed, and hedge funds are liquidating left and right, putting vast amounts of pressure on the entire market, and small and micro cap stocks in particular.
Hold tight, uWink will bounce back.
Chris
November 19th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Chris/Ryan:
Take a look at their latest quarterly earnings report, Ryan. You might find your answer there. Tell you what, get back with what you think. I will not say a word.
Next time… look before you buy.
Yes it is a bad market, but that is a constant. The market goes through these things, you have to work within that framework. To blame it accomplishes nothing.
Then ask yourself this question: if you “hold tight”, will uWink still be there?
Last thing… any stock can be $2-3 in a couple of years. Also, if you go to Las Vegas, it is possible to become a millionaire overnight.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
John,
Save your negativity man….I will have a report on uWink’s 10-Q shortly, and yea, suffice it to say, it was not pretty in terms of RESTAURANTS, but if you talk to management at all, like I do, and actually understand the trajectory of this company, you will see that they are really no in the restaurant business at all.
In fact, as of now, all 3 locations are self sufficient, and cash flow even to positive.
In the mean time, as also evidenced in the Q, they are hard at work at tons of deals left and right that will yield meaningful revenue and involve large deals that are as yet to be announced.
Can uWink go to 0? Yep, that’s why its a 10 Risk stock, and I explain that clearly to everyone, every time I write about it.
But as part of a balanced portfolio, and a small position, it is well worth the risk, especially at these levels.
In fact it is trading below cash value even though the cash will run out in less than 6 months, and less than tangible book value, even if you assume uWink has overstated the value of those assets and they are actually worth 50% less.
So John, you can indeed gamble, or you can gain information and make sound, if risky, investing decisions.
No risk no reward, and this site is all about risk.
Chris
November 21st, 2008 at 7:24 am
Thanks Chris, As I have Also Said (on IHUB) from the Start, their Technology Sales Aspects (Revenue / Profit Margins) are the Real Key to uWink Success!
11-14-08 10-Q = The Following INFO = Additional Terminals Expansion in FLA Airport (+ Chili’s Chain Opportunity Now), + ANOTHER Seperate Airport Deal, + Two Seperate Stadiums, + A QSR in Texas (+ ANOTHER Chain Opportunity Now), and “WE CAN CURRENTLY SATISFY OUR CASH REQUREMENTS FOR THE NEXT 6-9 MONTHS.” (which allows time for a Lot of Deals to bring in Revenue IMO) - AND… ‘Perhaps’ Other… Quite Different Additional Deal Types… Not Mentioned Yet…Also IMO.
From the 10-Q: “Our technology isn’t just for sit down restaurants. We think it also works well in all kinds of other hospitality environments - from quick service to fast casual to airports to hotels to stadiums. Pretty much anywhere in the world (remember we run in all the major languages) you have to wait to order/pay and/or could use something fun to do. We believe that technologies like ours are the future of the hospitality industry.”
From the 10-Q: “The hospitality industry is a global industry comprising a number of industry segments, including lodging, table service restaurants, quick service restaurants, entertainment venues (e.g., stadiums and arenas), business foodservice operations, Casinos, transportation foodservice, government operations, and cruise ships.”
Regards, Netman
November 21st, 2008 at 8:09 am
I question that the restaurants are cash flow even or positive. Can you verify?
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 am
PKG,
uWink does not break that down on a store level, except for the cash flow statements where you can get a general sense for whether that is true or not.
Basically, from what I understand via talking with the CFO, they are trying to renegotiate the rent for their Woodland Hills location to make it cash flow even, since the revenue has fallen so much.
Chris
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:50 am
The profitability of the restaurants is a moot point. Like it or not, uWink needs them to survive. They are an important competitive advantage. Not too many software companies can boast of having other entirely unrelated revenue streams, as well and testing facilities.
The problem is that they seem to be using the fact that they call themselves a software company and not a restaurant company to make excuses for their poor financial performance. That is all that really matters to investors at the end of the day. If they are a software company, they simply have not executed very well. Their applications have been proven in the field since the day Woodland Hills opened. They have had ample time to mount an effective sales campaign. It is a lack of execution and poor use of invstor’s money.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Big Guy,
I disagree to the extent that the restaurants, even if they prove to be amazing and a decent revenue stream, will NEVER provide uWink the capital they need to survive no matter what, with only 3 locations.
That means, moot point or not, that the software side needs to ramp up, and quickly.
This is starting to happen, but it could be a little faster.
Unfortunately for us as investors, we don’t get to see what’s going on behind the scenes and all the testing, etc, that uWink has been doing with vendors for the last year or so once they felt they fully tested and perfected their systems.
The next 6 months will in addition to being a make-or-break time in uWink’s existence will also be the defining moment of whether or not uWink exists in its current form a few years from now.
Chris