In 2010, Apple bought the patents for the "liquid metal" technology and, according to the creator, the company could launch a revolutionary product based on this technology, but no one knows when. For now, Apple is perfecting the technology bought a few years ago and its creator estimates that between 300 and 500 million dollars will be spent in the technology development process, a process that could last between 3-5 years. So far, Apple has used this technology for the "key" that helps you remove SIM cards from iDevices, and the iPhone 3G was the first device in which it was implemented.
For example, I estimate that Apple will likely spend on the order of $300 million to $500 million — and three to five years — to mature the technology before it can be used on a large scale. The first application was SIM card ejector pin, which I figured out after buying my iPhone 3G. I am not aware of any other application Apple has used Liquidmetal so far. Given the size of MacBook and scale of Apple products, I think it's unlikely that Liquidmetal casing will be used in MacBooks in the near term. It's more likely in the form of a small component such as a hinge or bracket. A MacBook casing, such as a unibody, will take two to four more years to implement.
Regarding the possible launch of an Apple product made of liquid metal, well, the inventor of the technology claims that it will be between 2 and 4 years until Apple could produce a MacBook Pro made only of liquid metal, but in the meantime we could see various its components produced from this material. Even if the technology will not reach Macs, Apple could build an iPhone with its help and it seems that a product manufactured using this material would be difficult to reproduce by the competition using other materials, so those from Samsung would have to think of other methods to stay relevant.
I expect Liquidmetal application in two ways: First evolutionary substitution of current materials and secondly, and more importantly, in a breakthrough product made only possible by Liquidmetal technology. Apple's exclusive licensing of a new material technology (specifically for casing and enclosures) is a first in the industry. This is very exciting. Therefore, I expect Apple to use this technology in a breakthrough product. Such a product will likely bring an innovative user interface and industrial design together, and will also be very difficult to copy or duplicate with other material technologies.
In conclusion, Apple will use the "liquid metal" technology for interesting products in the future, but for now this technology is far from being able to be used for products that are distributed on a large scale.
