SOCKET MOBILE, INC. - Annual Report: 2022 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-K 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _______ to _______.

Commission file number 1-13810

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

40675 Encyclopedia Circle, Fremont, CA 94538

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(510) 933-3000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES [ ] NO [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES [ ] NO [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES [ X ] NO [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [X] Smaller reporting company [X]

Emerging growth company [ ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES [ ] NO [X]

As of June 30, 2022, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock ($0.001 par value) held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $18,377,320 based on the closing sale price as reported on the NASDAQ Marketplace system.

The number of shares of Common Stock ($0.001 par value) outstanding as of March 24, 2023: 7,123,999 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of Part III are incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 7, 2023. Such Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include statements forecasting our future financial condition and results, our future operating activities, market acceptance of our products, expectations for general market growth of mobile computing devices, growth in demand for our data capture products, expansion of the markets that we serve, expansion of the distribution channels for our products, and the timing of the introduction and availability of new products, as well as other forecasts discussed under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Words such as “may,” “will,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties; therefore, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially include, but are not limited to: volatility in the world economy generally and in the markets we serve in particular, including the impact of Russia’s military action against Ukraine; the risk of delays in the availability of our products due to technological, market or financial factors including the availability of product components and necessary working capital; our ability to successfully develop, introduce and market future products; our ability to effectively manage and contain our operating costs; the availability of third-party hardware and software that our products are intended to work with; product delays associated with new model introductions and product changeovers by the makers of products that our products are intended to work with; continued growth in demand for barcode scanners; market acceptance of emerging standards such as RFID/Near Field Communications and of our related data capture products; the ability of our strategic relationships to benefit our business as expected; our ability to enter into additional distribution relationships; and other factors described in this Form 10-K including “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and recent Form 8-K and Form 10-Q reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update such forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this report, and other information contained in other reports and documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 1. Business

General

We are a leading provider of data capture and delivery solutions for enhanced productivity in workforce mobilization. Our data capture solutions are incorporated into mobile applications used in point of sale (POS), commercial services (field workers), asset tracking, manufacturing process and quality control, transportation and logistics (goods tracking and movement), event management (ticketing, entry, access control, and identification), medical and education.

We were founded in March 1992 as Socket Communications, Inc. and reincorporated in Delaware in 1995 prior to our initial public offering in June 1995. We have financed our operations since inception primarily from the sale of equity capital or convertible debt, receivables-based revolving lines of credit and term loans with our bank. We began doing business as Socket Mobile, Inc. in January 2007 to better reflect our market focus on the mobile business market and changed our legal name to Socket Mobile, Inc. in April 2008. Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “SCKT”. Our principal executive offices are located at 40675 Encyclopedia Circle, Fremont, CA 94538, and our phone number is (510) 933-3000.

Our Internet home page is located at http://www.socketmobile.com; however, the information on, or that can be accessed through, our home page is not part of this Annual Report. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to such reports are available free of charge on or through our internet home page as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Products

Our primary products are cordless data capture devices incorporating barcode scanning or RFID/Near Field Communications (NFC) technologies that connect over Bluetooth. All products work with applications running on smartphones, mobile computers and tablets using operating systems from Apple® (iOS), Google™ (Android™) and Microsoft® (Windows®). We offer an easy-to-use software developer kit (CaptureSDK) to application providers, which enables them to provide their consumers with our advanced barcode scanning features. Our products are integrated by the application providers and are marketed by the application providers or their resellers. The number of application providers supporting our data capture solutions continues to grow.

SocketScan family. Our SocketScan family consists of the 700 Series (S700, S720, S730, S720, S740) companion scanners and 800 Series (S800, S820, S840, S860) attachable scanners. 700 Series are available in multiple vivid colors: blue, green, red, white, yellow and black. S720 reads both 1D and 2D barcodes on paper and screen. It’s a drop-in replacement for our most sold S700 while adding QR code functionality. 800 Series, 1D linear imaging (S800) and 2D (S820, S840, S860) are attachable to smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices with an easily detachable clip or DuraCase, creating a one-handed solution. S860 includes MRZ (machine-readable zone) support, making it capable of scanning passports, visas, and other travel documents in addition to barcodes. SocketScan 800 Series scanners may be used stand-alone as well. S820, which was launched recently, provides a basic and affordable option for those who wish to upgrade to 2D scanning.

DuraScan® Family. Our DuraScan® family consists of 700 Series (D700, D720, D730, D740, D745, D750, D755, D760) companion scanners and 800 Series (D800, D820, D840, D860) attachable scanners, which are designed to be durable barcode scanners with IP54-rated outer casing to withstand tougher environments. D740 is priced competitively with a 1D barcode scanner, making it the affordable 2D option available in the market. D820, which was launched recently, provides a basic and affordable option for those who wish to upgrade to 2D scanning. D745 and D755 are medical-grade, universal scanners. D760 and D860 include MRZ (machine-readable zone) support, making it capable of scanning passports, visas, and other travel documents. D820 provides a basic and affordable option for those who wish to upgrade to 2D scanning.

DuraSled Family. Our DuraSled (DS800, DS820, DS840, DS860) is a barcode scanning sled designed for durability. It combines a phone with a scanner to create a one-handed solution. DuraSled protects phones from impact damage and provides a robust charging solution for all environments. It is easy-to-use and ideal for delivery services, stock counting, ticketing and other App-driven mobile solutions. The DuraSled products are compatible with Apple, Samsung and Windows devices. DS820 provides a basic and affordable option for those who wish to upgrade to 2D scanning.

 Contactless RFID/NFC reader writer.  Our contactless product line includes D600, S550 and S370. The D600, an ergonomically handheld model with IP54-rated outer casing, can read and write many different types of electronic SmartTags or transfer data with near-field communication. The S550, a contactless membership card reader/writer, is designed to facilitate tap-and-go smart card and NFC applications. S370 supports both barcode scanning and Near Field Communication (NFC) reading and writing technologies. It provides App providers the ability to read both QR code-based and NFC-based credentials, allowing App providers to accept multiple formats with one device. S370 can also read credentials following ISO 18013-5, the Mobile Driver’s License (mDL) standard being adopted in many states and countries.

SocketCam family. In Q1 2022, we announced our SocketCam product, C820, a software-based barcode scanner, which offers a free, flexible, quick, and reliable data capture solution to our App partners who can include the C820 in their applications to provide free scanning to their end-users. The SocketCam C820 is the first member of the SocketCam family and turns any mobile device into a high-performance barcode scanner. App providers are challenged to service a wide range of customers with various data capture requirements, from price-sensitive to performance-sensitive, and even multiple data types. The addition of the C820 seamlessly enables these diverse requirements. End-users whose data capture requirements exceed the capabilities of the free camera-based scanners will have the choice of purchasing a Socket Scanner or using an advanced version of the camera-based scanner which is expected to be available in 2023.

Software Developer Kit (CaptureSDK). Our Software Developer Kit (CaptureSDK) supports all our data capture devices with a single integration, making it easier for App providers to integrate our data capture capabilities into their applications. With the installation of our data capture software, the App providers’ customers can choose any of our products that work best for them. Our CaptureSDK enables the App providers to modify captured data, control the placement of the barcoded or RFID data in their applications, and control the feedback to the user that the transaction and transmission were successfully completed. Our CaptureSDK also supports the built-in camera in a customer’s smartphone or tablet to be used for occasional or lower-volume data collection requirements. The CaptureSDK uses tools integrated with software building environments such as Swift Package Manager, Maven and NuGet, adds support for high-level frameworks such as MAUI, ReactNative, Java, JavaScript and Flutter, and adds other features to make it easier for App providers to integrate our data capture software into their applications.

We design our own products and are responsible for all associated test equipment. We subcontract the manufacturing of all our product components to independent third-party contract manufacturers located in the United States, Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and China that have the equipment, know-how and capacity to manufacture products to our specifications. We perform final product assembly, testing and packaging at, and distribute our products from, our Fremont, California facility. We offer our products worldwide through two-tier distribution enabling customers to purchase from large numbers of online resellers around the world including application providers who resell their own solutions along with our data capture products.

We believe growth in mobile applications and the mobile workforce resulting from technical advances in mobile technologies, cost reductions in mobile devices and the growing adoption by businesses of mobile applications for smartphones and tablets, builds a growing demand for our products. Our data capture products address the need for speed and accuracy by today’s mobile workers and by the systems supporting those workers, thereby enhancing their productivity and allowing them to exploit time-sensitive opportunities and improve customer satisfaction.

Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Our mission is to supply innovative and cost-effective data capture tools for businesses that use mobile platforms to conduct business in mobile environments.

Our vision is to manage the complexity of capturing and delivering data across a spectrum of data sources, network technologies, and mobile systems so that our customers can concentrate on applications of the data. Our customers are application providers and their consumers in need of data capture solutions.

We have embraced the following core values:

Accountability: We take ownership and responsibility for our actions and performance. We learn from our mistakes and celebrate our successes.

Customer Focus: We live by and for our customer's success. We want to earn their top-of-mind choice, enhance their final customer experience, and create value through our relationship.

Excellence: We take pride in what we make and do and value the creativity, talent, ambition, and drive of each employee to be his or her best and to achieve superior results.

Integrity: We are honest and ethical in all our dealings with each other, customers, business partners, suppliers, competitors, and other stakeholders. We say what we mean and mean what we say.

Mutual Respect: We value people's differences and diverse opinions, and we treat each other fairly.

Marketing Dynamics

Application provider relationships. We actively support application providers to integrate our data capture solutions into their applications. We provide an easy-to-use software developer kit (CaptureSDK) and training and technical support to our application providers. We support the marketing activities of our application providers in promoting the applications that include our products. Once our data capture products are integrated by the application provider, our products become an ingredient of the application solution and part of the application provider’s marketing program. We provide regular CaptureSDK updates including updates that support the latest operating system updates provided by Apple, Google, and Microsoft. We spend extensive engineering time and resources to ensure that our cordless data capture products are compatible with a wide variety of the most popular smartphones, tablets, and mobile computers running a variety of operating systems. We comply with the standards set by the standard-setting bodies whose technologies are used in our products such as Bluetooth SIG, NFC Forum, GS1, and AIM Global.

Mobile Markets. Our revenues are primarily driven by sales of barcode scanners integrated into mPOS (mobile Point of Sale) applications used with Apple tablets and other mobile devices. Many mPOS application providers develop software for smaller retailers using tablets as cash registers. Other mobile markets addressed by application providers include commercial services (field workers), asset tracking, manufacturing process and quality control, transportation and logistics (goods tracking and movement), event management (ticketing, entry, access control, and identification), medical and education. We expect these markets to increase the use of mobile applications and the demand for barcode scanners.

Expanded and improved product offerings. We offer a wide range of products that enable application providers and their consumers to design their mobile systems to meet their specific requirements, and we encourage our distributors to support the full range of our products. The goal is for customers to view Socket Mobile as a primary source for their mobile data capture needs. Our products include stand-alone barcode scanners in both durable and standard cases, attachable barcode scanners, and RFID/NFC reader/writer. We provide a software developer kit to application providers to enable our advanced data capture software to be easily integrated into applications. See “Item 1 Business. The Company and its Products” for a more detailed description of our products.

We design our products to comply with the regulations of the many worldwide agencies that regulate the safety, performance, and use of electronic products.

Competitive pricing. We have designed our products to be priced competitively although we are subject to changes in component pricing by our suppliers. We update our products from time to time and work with our vendors to achieve reductions in component pricing.

Worldwide product availability. We distribute our products through a worldwide distribution network that places products into geographic regions to shorten purchasing time and provides a credit shield to us. Our largest distributors are Ingram Micro®, ScanSource® and Blue Star, and they support a worldwide network of online resellers including Shopify®, Amazon.com, and CDW®. We also offer products in our own online stores.

Strong Brand Name. We believe that our products make a difference in the daily work life of mobile workers and the people they serve. We are building a brand image focused on business mobility. This image closely associates us with business mobility solutions and to reflect this image, we began doing business as Socket Mobile, Inc. in January 2007 and changed our legal name to Socket Mobile, Inc. in April 2008. We stress to customers the design of our products for the markets they serve, emphasizing quality and standards-based connectivity. Mobility requires products that are compact and designed to be handled while mobile, with low power consumption to extend the time between charges, and are easy to use. We strive to offer high-performance products at a wide range of competitive prices. Through our developer support program, we work closely with application providers who are developing productivity-enhancing applications for the mobile workforce. Our overall company brand identity and positioning goal is to be a leading provider of easy-to-deploy business mobility data capture systems to the business mobility market.

Competition and Competitive Risks

The overall market for mobile handheld data capture solutions is both complex and competitive. Our barcode scanning hardware products compete with similar hardware products in all our markets in the United States, Europe and Asia, and we differentiate our products with our software developer kit and our underlying data capture software designed to work with smartphones, tablets, and other mobile computers running the Apple, Android and Windows operating systems. Our longtime focus on creating innovative mobile solutions for the mobile workforce has resulted in good brand name recognition and reputation. We believe that our brand name identifies our products as durable, dependable, ergonomic, and easy to use, all features designed for a mobile worker while mobile, and the breadth of our product offerings, including the extensively advanced features of our software and software developer kit, will continue to differentiate us relative to our competitors.

Cordless Barcode Scanning. We offer a full range of handheld cordless barcode scanners connecting to smartphones, tablets, and other computing devices over Bluetooth and SocketCam product, C820, a software-based barcode scanner. Our Software Developer Kit (CaptureSDK) enables application providers to integrate the features of our Data Capture software into their applications and helps differentiate our products. Our Cordless Barcode Scanners face competition from similar products from Koamtec, Code Corporation and Opticon (Japan). Barcodes may also be scanned using the built-in camera in smartphones or tablets with applications from Scandit or Manatee Works. Users may choose a barcode scanner that connects directly to an Apple tablet, iPhone or a computer such as offered by Infinite Peripherals and Honeywell. Users also may choose more rugged barcode scanners as an alternative, some of which are integrated into computing devices from manufacturers such as Datalogic, Honeywell®, and Zebra Technologies. Many of these devices are not Apple certified. Many connect to Apple devices over Bluetooth in keyboard emulation mode and do not offer extensive tools for application providers such as our software developer kit (CaptureSDK) to integrate features of our sophisticated data collection scanning software and hardware needed to meet the consumer’s requirement.

Contactless RFID/NFC Reader/Writer. We developed and commenced sales in 2017 of a Contactless RFID/NFC Reader/Writer, D600 that can read and write many different types of electronic SmartTags used in many applications today, like digital wallet applications for loyalty cards, identification cards, payment cards, coupons and event tickets. In 2020, we launched a Contactless Membership Card Reader/Writer, S550 which enables us to expand our business into the emerging market for tap-and-go solutions that have traditionally been limited to payment solutions, such as Apple Pay, but can now be used for ticketing, access, and identification applications. The S550 was chosen as a finalist for the NFC Innovation Award in 2022. In 2022, we also launched S370, a universal NFC & QR Code Mobile Wallet Reader to enable our app partners to support eWallet-centric opportunities like mobile driver licenses and digital healthcare cards. We believe we are an early entrant into this market and do not face significant head-to-head competition from alternative reader/writer devices.

Proprietary Technology and Intellectual Property

We have been granted U.S. patents and design patents and have other patent applications under review. We have registered trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the mark “Socket”, our logo, DuraScan, and SocketScan.

We have developed technological building blocks that enhance our ability to design new hardware and software products, offer products that run on multiple software and hardware platforms, and manufacture and package products efficiently.

We own and control the design of our barcode scanners, enabling us to modify its features or software to meet specific customer requirements.

We have developed software programs that provide unique functions and features for our data collection products. For example, our data collection software enables our barcode scanning products to scan a variety of barcodes and to route the data to many different types of data files on operating systems used in Apple, Android, and Windows mobile devices. We use Bluetooth technology to provide a completely functional Bluetooth solution enabling connections and data transfers between Bluetooth-enabled devices. Our companion applications assist Apple iOS, Android and Windows users with the proper setup and use of our data capture products.

We rely on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, and confidentiality procedures to protect our proprietary rights. As part of our confidentiality procedures, we generally enter into non-disclosure agreements with our employees, distributors and strategic partners, and limit access to our software, documentation and other proprietary information. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third-party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our products or technology without authorization, or to develop similar technology independently. In addition, we may not be able to effectively protect our intellectual property rights in certain foreign countries. From time to time, we receive communications from third parties asserting that our products infringe, or may infringe, their proprietary rights. Litigation could be brought against us that could result in significant additional expense or compel us to discontinue or redesign some of our products.

Personnel

Our future success will depend in significant part upon the continued service of certain of our key technical and senior management personnel, and our continuing ability to attract, assimilate and retain highly qualified technical, managerial, and sales and marketing personnel. Our total employee headcount was 56 and 53 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our employees are not represented by a union, and we consider our employee relationships to be good. As of December 31, 2022, we had 15 persons in sales, marketing, and customer service, 16 persons in development engineering, 8 persons in finance and administration, and 17 persons in operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Ownership of the Company’s securities involves a number of risks and uncertainties. Potential investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission before deciding whether to invest in the Company’s securities. The Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The risks described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Additional risks that are currently unknown to the Company or that the Company currently considers immaterial may also impair its business or adversely affect its financial condition or results of operations.

A deterioration in global economic conditions may have adverse impacts on our business and financial condition in ways that we currently cannot predict and may limit our ability to raise additional funds.

If global economic conditions continue to deteriorate, it may further impact our business and our financial condition. We may face significant challenges if conditions in the financial markets worsen. The impact of such future developments on our business, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s military action against Ukraine, is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the overall economy is negatively impacted for an extended period, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows may be materially adversely affected. In addition, a severe prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to the business, including weakening our ability to develop potential businesses and a decreased ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all.

We may not return to profitability.

To return to profitability, we must accomplish numerous objectives, including achieving continued growth in our business, providing ongoing support to registered App providers whose applications support the use of our data capture products, and developing successful new products. We cannot foresee with any certainty whether we will be able to achieve these objectives in the future. Accordingly, we may not generate sufficient revenue or control our expenses enough to maintain ongoing profitability. If we cannot return to profitability, we will not be able to support our operations from positive cash flows, and we would be required to use our existing cash to support operating losses. If we are unable to secure the necessary capital to replace that cash, we may need to suspend some or all of our current operations.

We may require additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all, or on terms that would not cause substantial dilution to investors’ stock holdings.

We may need to raise capital to fund our growth or operating losses in future periods. Our forecasts are highly dependent on factors beyond our control, including market acceptance of our products and delays in deployments by businesses of applications that use our data capture products. Even if we maintain profitable operating levels, we may need to raise capital to provide sufficient working capital to fund our growth. If capital requirements vary materially from those currently planned, we may require additional capital sooner than expected. There can be no assurance that such capital will be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

In order to maintain the availability of our bank lines of credit we must remain in compliance with the covenants as specified under the terms of the credit agreements and the bank may exercise discretion in making advances to us.

Our credit agreements with our bank require us to remain in compliance with the covenants specified under the terms of the agreement. The agreements also contain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict our ability to, among other things, grant liens, make investments, incur indebtedness, merge or consolidate, dispose of assets, make acquisitions, pay dividends or make distributions, repurchase stock, enter into transactions with affiliates and enter into restrictive agreements, in each case subject to customary exceptions for a credit facility of this size and type. The agreements also contain customary events of default including, among others, payment defaults, breaches of covenants, bankruptcy and insolvency events, cross defaults with certain material indebtedness, judgment defaults, and breaches of representations and warranties. Upon an event of default, our bank may declare all or a portion of our outstanding obligations payable to be immediately due and payable and exercise other rights and remedies provided for under the agreement. During the existence of an event of default, interest on the obligations could be increased. The agreements may be terminated by us or by our bank at any time. Upon such termination, our bank would no longer make advances under the credit agreement and outstanding advances would be repaid as receivables are collected. All advances are at our bank’s discretion and our bank is not obligated to make advances.

If application providers are not successful in their efforts to develop, market and sell the applications into which our software and products are incorporated, we may not achieve our sales projections.

We are dependent upon App providers to integrate our scanning and software products into their applications designed for mobile workers using smartphones, tablets and mobile computers, and to successfully market and sell those application products and solutions into the marketplace. We focus on serving the needs of App providers as sales of our data capture products are application driven. However, these providers may take considerable time to complete the development of their applications, may experience delays in their development timelines, may develop competing applications, may be unsuccessful in marketing and selling their application products and solutions to customers, or may experience delays in customer deployments and implementations, which would adversely affect our ability to achieve our revenue projections.

Failure to maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and stock price.

We have evaluated and will continue to evaluate our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires an annual management assessment of the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented, or amended from time to time, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Moreover, effective internal controls, particularly those related to revenue recognition and access to assets, are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to helping prevent financial fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, and the trading price of our stock could drop significantly.

Despite security protections, our business records and information could be hacked by unauthorized personnel.

We protect our business records and information from access by unauthorized personnel and are not aware of any instances where such data has been compromised. We maintain adequate segregation of duties in safeguarding our assets and related records and monitor our systems to detect any attempts to bypass our controls and procedures which we evaluate and update from time to time. We are aware that unauthorized efforts to access our business records and information with sophisticated tools could bypass our controls and procedures and we remain alert to that possibility.

Deferred tax assets comprise a significant portion of our assets and are dependent upon future tax profitability to realize the benefits.

We have recorded deferred tax assets on our balance sheet because we believe that it is more likely than not that we will generate sufficient tax profitability in the future to realize the tax savings that our deferred tax assets represent. If we do not achieve and maintain sufficient profitability, the tax savings represented by our deferred tax assets may never be realized and we would need to recognize a loss for those deferred tax assets.

We may be unable to manufacture our products because we are dependent on a limited number of qualified suppliers for our components.

Several of our component parts are produced by one or a limited number of suppliers. Shortages or delays could occur in these essential components due to an interruption of supply or increased demand in the industry. Suppliers may choose to restrict credit terms or require advance payment causing delays in the procurement of essential materials. If we are unable to procure certain component parts, we could be required to reduce our operations while we seek alternative sources for these components, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. To the extent that we acquire extra inventory stocks to protect against possible shortages, we would be exposed to additional risks associated with holding inventory, such as obsolescence, excess quantities, or loss.

If we fail to develop and introduce new products rapidly and successfully, we will not be able to compete effectively, and our ability to generate sufficient revenues will be negatively affected.

The market for our products is prone to rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and short product life cycles. If we are unsuccessful at developing and introducing new products and services on a timely basis that include the latest technologies, conform to the newest standards, and that are appealing to end users, we will not be able to compete effectively, and our ability to generate significant revenues will be seriously harmed.

The development of new products and services can be very difficult and requires high levels of innovation. The development process is also lengthy and costly. Short product life cycles for smartphones and tablets expose our products to the risk of obsolescence and require frequent new product upgrades and introductions. We will be unable to introduce new products and services into the market on a timely basis and compete successfully if we fail to:

We cannot be sure that we will have sufficient resources to make adequate investments in research and development or that we will be able to identify trends or make the technological advances necessary to be competitive.

We may not be able to collect receivables from customers who experience financial difficulties.

Our accounts receivables are derived primarily from distributors. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial conditions but generally require no collateral from our customers. Reserves are maintained for potential credit losses, and such losses have historically been within such reserves. However, many of our customers may be thinly capitalized and may be prone to failure in adverse market conditions. Although our collection history has been good, from time to time a customer may not pay us because of financial difficulty, bankruptcy or liquidation. If global financial conditions have an impact on our customer’s ability to pay us in a timely manner, consequently, we may experience increased difficulty in collecting our accounts receivable, and we may have to increase our reserves in anticipation of increased uncollectible accounts.

We could face increased competition in the future, which would adversely affect our financial performance.

The market in which we operate is very competitive. Our future financial performance is contingent on a number of unpredictable factors, including that:

Increased competition could result in price reductions, fewer customer orders, reduced margins, and loss of market share. Our failure to compete successfully against current or future competitors could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

If we do not correctly anticipate demand for our products, our operating results will suffer.

The demand for our products depends on many factors and is difficult to forecast as we introduce and support more products, and as competition in the markets for our products intensifies. If demand is lower than forecasted levels, we could have excess production resulting in higher inventories of finished products and components, which could lead to write-downs or write-offs of some or all of the excess inventories, and reductions in our cash balances. Lower than forecasted demand could also result in excess manufacturing capacity at our third-party manufacturers and in our failure to meet minimum purchase commitments, each of which may lower our operating results.

If demand increases beyond forecasted levels, we will have to rapidly increase production at our third-party manufacturers. We depend on suppliers to provide additional volumes of components, and suppliers might not be able to increase production rapidly enough to meet unexpected demand. Even if we were able to procure enough components, our third-party manufacturers might not be able to produce enough of our devices to meet our customer demand. In addition, rapid increases in production levels to meet unanticipated demand could result in higher costs for manufacturing and supply of components and other expenses. These higher costs could lower our profit margins. Further, if production is increased rapidly, manufacturing yields could decline, which may also lower operating results.

We rely primarily on distributors to distribute our products, and our sales would suffer if any of these distributors stops distributing our products effectively.

Because we distribute and fulfill resellers’ orders for our products primarily through distributors, we are subject to risks associated with channel distribution, such as risks related to their inventory levels and support for our products. Our distribution channels may build up inventories in anticipation of growth in their sales. If such growth in their sales does not occur as anticipated, the inventory build-up could contribute to higher levels of product returns. The lack of sales by any one significant participant in our distribution channels could result in excess inventories and adversely affect our operating results and working capital liquidity. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Ingram Micro® and BlueStar together represented approximately 50% and 53%, respectively, of our worldwide sales. We expect that a significant portion of our sales will continue to depend on sales to a limited number of distributors.

Our agreements with distributors are generally nonexclusive and may be terminated on short notice by them without cause. Our distributors are not within our control, are not obligated to purchase products from us, and may offer competitive lines of products simultaneously. Sales growth is contingent in part on our ability to enter into additional distribution relationships and expand our sales channels. We cannot predict whether we will be successful in establishing new distribution relationships, expanding our sales channels or maintaining our existing relationships. A failure to enter into new distribution relationships, expand our sales channels, or maintain our existing relationships could adversely impact our ability to grow our sales.

We allow our distribution channels to return a portion of their inventory to us for full credit against other purchases. In addition, in the event we reduce our prices, we credit our distributors for the difference between the purchase price of products remaining in their inventory and our reduced price for such products. Actual returns and price protection may adversely affect future operating results and working capital liquidity by reducing our accounts receivable and increasing our inventory balances, particularly since we seek to continually introduce new and enhanced products and are likely to face increasing price competition.

We depend on alliances and other business relationships with third parties, and a disruption in these relationships would hinder our ability to develop and sell our products.

We depend on strategic alliances and business relationships with leading participants in various segments of the mobile applications market to help us develop and market our products. Our strategic partners may revoke their commitment to our products or services at any time in the future or may develop their own competitive products or services. Accordingly, our strategic relationships may not result in sustained business alliances, successful product or service offerings, or the generation of significant revenues. Failure of one or more of such alliances could result in delay or termination of product development projects, failure to win new customers or loss of confidence by current or potential customers.

We have devoted significant research and development resources to design products to work with a number of operating systems used in mobile devices including Apple® (iOS), Google™ (Android™) and Microsoft® (Windows®). Such design activities have diverted financial and personnel resources from other development projects. These design activities are not undertaken pursuant to any agreement under which Apple, Google or Microsoft is obligated to collaborate or to support the products produced from such collaboration. Consequently, these organizations may terminate their collaborations with us for a variety of reasons, including our failure to meet agreed-upon standards or for reasons beyond our control, such as changing market conditions, increased competition, discontinued product lines, and product obsolescence.

Our intellectual property and proprietary rights may be insufficient to protect our competitive position.

Our business depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property. We rely primarily on patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret laws, and other restrictions on disclosure to protect our proprietary technologies. We cannot be sure that these measures will provide meaningful protection for our proprietary technologies and processes. We cannot be sure that any patent issued to us will be sufficient to protect our technology. The failure of any patents to provide protection for our technology would make it easier for our competitors to offer similar products. In connection with our participation in the development of various industry standards, we may be required to license certain of our patents to other parties, including our competitors that develop products based upon the adopted standards.

We also generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, distributors, and strategic partners, and generally control access to our documentation and other proprietary information. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third-party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our products, services, or technology without authorization, develop similar technology independently, or design around our patents.

Additionally, effective copyright, trademark, and trade secret protection may be unavailable or limited in certain foreign countries.

We may become subject to claims of intellectual property rights infringement, which could result in substantial liability.

In the course of operating our business, we may receive claims of intellectual property infringement or otherwise become aware of potentially relevant patents or other intellectual property rights held by other parties. Many of our competitors have large intellectual property portfolios, including patents that may cover technologies that are relevant to our business. In addition, many smaller companies, universities, and individuals have obtained or applied for patents in areas of technology that may relate to our business. The industry is moving towards aggressive assertion, licensing, and litigation of patents and other intellectual property rights.

If we are unable to obtain and maintain licenses on favorable terms for intellectual property rights required for the manufacture, sale, and use of our products, particularly those products which must comply with industry standard protocols and specifications to be commercially viable, our results of operations or financial condition could be adversely impacted.

In addition to disputes relating to the validity or alleged infringement of other parties’ rights, we may become involved in disputes relating to our assertion of our own intellectual property rights. Whether we are defending the assertion of intellectual property rights against us or asserting our intellectual property rights against others, intellectual property litigation can be complex, costly, protracted, and highly disruptive to business operations by diverting the attention and energies of management and key technical personnel. Plaintiffs in intellectual property cases often seek injunctive relief, and the measures of damages in intellectual property litigation are complex and often subjective or uncertain. Thus, any adverse determinations in this type of litigation could subject us to significant liabilities and costs.

New industry standards may require us to redesign our products, which could substantially increase our operating expenses.

Standards for the form and functionality of our products are established by standards committees. These independent committees establish standards, which evolve and change over time, for different categories of our products. We must continue to identify and ensure compliance with evolving industry standards so that our products are interoperable and we remain competitive. Unanticipated changes in industry standards could render our products incompatible with products developed by major hardware manufacturers and software developers. Should any major changes, even if anticipated, occur, we would be required to invest significant time and resources to redesign our products to ensure compliance with relevant standards. If our products are not in compliance with prevailing industry standards for a significant period of time, we would miss opportunities to sell our products for use with new hardware components from mobile computer manufacturers and OEMs, thus affecting our business.

Undetected flaws and defects in our products may disrupt product sales and result in expensive and time-consuming remedial action.

Our hardware and software products may contain undetected flaws, which may not be discovered until customers have used the products. From time to time, we may temporarily suspend or delay shipments or divert development resources from other projects to correct a particular product deficiency. Efforts to identify and correct errors and make design changes may be expensive and time-consuming. Failure to discover product deficiencies in the future could delay product introductions or shipments, require us to recall previously shipped products to make design modifications, or cause unfavorable publicity, any of which could adversely affect our business and operating results.

The loss of one or more of our senior personnel could harm our existing business.

A number of our officers and senior managers have been employed for more than twenty years by us, including our President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Engineering/Chief Technical Officer. Our future success will depend upon the continued service of key officers and senior managers. Competition for officers and senior managers is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain our existing senior personnel. The loss of one or more of our officers or key senior managers could adversely affect our ability to compete.

The expensing of options and restricted stocks will continue to reduce our operating results such that we may find it necessary to change our business practices to attract and retain employees.

We have been using stock options and restricted stocks as key components of our employee compensation packages. We believe that stock options and restricted stocks provide an incentive to our employees to maximize long-term stockholder value and, through the use of vesting, encourage valued employees to remain with us. The expensing of employee stock options and restricted stocks adversely affects our net income and earnings per share, will continue to adversely affect future quarters, and will make profitability harder to achieve. In addition, we may decide in response to the effects of expensing stock options and restricted stocks on our operating results to reduce the number of stock options or restricted stocks granted to employees or to grant to fewer employees. This could adversely affect our ability to retain existing employees or attract qualified candidates, and also could increase the cash compensation we would have to pay to them.

If we are unable to attract and retain highly skilled sales and marketing and product development personnel, our ability to develop and market new products and product enhancements will be adversely affected.

We believe our ability to achieve increased revenues and to develop successful new products and product enhancements will depend in part upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled sales and marketing and product development personnel. Our products involve a number of new and evolving technologies, and we frequently need to apply these technologies to the unique requirements of mobile products. Our personnel must be familiar with both the technologies we support and the unique requirements of the products to which our products connect. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain such key personnel. In addition, our ability to hire and retain such key personnel will depend upon our ability to raise capital or achieve increased revenue levels to fund the costs associated with such key personnel. Failure to attract and retain such key personnel will adversely affect our ability to develop and market new products and product enhancements.

Our operating results could be harmed by economic, political, regulatory and other risks associated with export sales.

Our operating results are subject to the risks inherent in export sales, including:

Our export sales are primarily denominated in Euros for our sales to European distributors and in British pounds for our sales to UK distributors. Accordingly, an increase in the value of the United States dollar relative to the Euro or British pound could make our products more expensive and therefore potentially less competitive in European markets. Declines in the value of the Euro or pound relative to the United States dollar may result in foreign currency losses relating to the collection of receivables denominated if left unhedged.

Our facilities or operations could be adversely affected by events outside our control, such as natural disasters or health epidemics.

Our corporate headquarters is located in a seismically active region in Northern California. If major disasters such as earthquakes occur, or our information system or communications network breaks down or operates improperly, our headquarters and production facilities may be seriously damaged, or we may have to stop or delay production and shipment of our products. In addition, we may be affected by health epidemic or pandemics, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, or geopolitical instability, such as Russia’s military action against Ukraine. We may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of our control, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected and could continue to have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and the results of operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and may continue to impact our workforce and operations and those of our customers, partners, vendors and suppliers, and the unfavorable impacts we may experience include:

We modified our business and workforce practices in response to COVID-19, including with respect to flexible work and social distancing measures, and we may take further actions as required by government regulations or in the best interests of our employees, customers, partners, and suppliers. These and other measures have caused and may in the future cause us to incur incremental expenses and costs.

The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance and our ability to timely execute our business strategies may continue to be difficult to measure and predict. The impact of COVID-19 can also exacerbate other risks discussed in these risk factors.

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate in future periods, which could cause our stock price to decline.

We expect to experience quarterly fluctuations in operating results in the future. Quarterly revenues and operating results depend on the volume and timing of orders received, which sometimes are difficult to forecast. Historically, we have recognized a substantial portion of our revenue in the last month of the quarter. This subjects us to the risk that even modest delays in orders or in the manufacture of products relating to orders received, may adversely affect our quarterly operating results. Our operating results may also fluctuate due to factors such as:

Because we base our staffing and other operating expenses on anticipated revenues, unanticipated declines or delays in the receipt of orders can cause significant variations in operating results from quarter to quarter. As a result of any of the foregoing factors, or a combination, our results of operations in any given quarter may be below the expectations of public market analysts or investors, in which case the market price of our common stock would be adversely affected.

The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the market price for our common stock. The market price of our common stock could also decline if one or more of our significant stockholders decided for any reason to sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market.

As of March 24, 2023, we had 7,123,999 shares of common stock outstanding. Substantially all of these shares are freely tradable in the public market, either without restriction or subject, in some cases, only to S-3 prospectus delivery requirements and, in other cases, only to the manner of sale, volume, and notice requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

As of March 24, 2023, we had 1,267,528 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options under our stock option plans, 1,070,435 shares of restricted stock outstanding, and 424,212 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the plans. We have registered the shares of common stock subject to outstanding options and restricted stock and reserved them for issuance under our stock option plans. Accordingly, the shares of common stock underlying vested options and unvested restricted stock will be eligible for resale in the public market as soon as the options are exercised or the restricted stock vests, as applicable.

Volatility in the trading price of our common stock could negatively impact the price of our common stock.

During the period from January 1, 2022 through the date of the report, our common stock price fluctuated between a high of $35.00 and a low of $0.76. We have experienced low trading volumes in our stock, and thus relatively small purchases and sales can have a significant effect on our stock price. The trading price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and the outlook of securities analysts and investors on our industry. In addition, the stock markets in general, and the markets for high technology stocks in particular, have experienced high volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

In February 2022, the Company entered into an operating lease agreement for an approximately 35,913 square-foot facility in Fremont, California where we moved our office and manufacturing operations. The lease agreement is for a base term of 87 months and a monthly rent obligation of $50,278, subject to annual increases of 3%. The lease commenced on May 1, 2022 and the Company was provided with three months of free rent.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

We are currently not a party to any material legal proceedings.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Common Stock

The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Marketplace under the symbol “SCKT.”

On March 24, 2023, the closing sales price for our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Marketplace was $1.96. We have not paid dividends on our common stock, and we currently intend to retain future earnings for use in our business and do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

The information required by this item regarding equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Shares repurchase activity during the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:

Performance Graph

The performance graph shown below shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Socket Mobile, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act. The performance graph below shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total stockholder return, calculated on a dividend reinvestment basis and based on a $100 investment, from December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2022 comparing the return on the Company's common stock with the Russell 2000 Index and the NASDAQ Computer & Data Processing Index. No dividends have been declared or paid on the common stock during such period. Historical stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

None.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the financial statements and the notes thereto in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources have been cash provided from operations and financing activities. Our primary requirements for liquidity and capital arise from employee-related expenditures, inventory purchases, capital expenditures, leasing of facilities, general operating expenses, and interest and principal repayments related to our outstanding indebtedness.

Net cash used in operating activities was $0.11 million for 2022 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $2.1 million in 2021.

In 2022 and 2021, we invested approximately $1.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in computer software development, website development, and manufacturing tooling. We expect to continue our investing activities, including planned capital expenditures.

Net cash used in financing activities during 2022 was approximately $1.2 million, compared to approximately $2.5 million of net cash provided by financing activities during 2021. Financing activities in 2022 consisted primarily of approximately $830,000 repurchase of treasury stock, and $500,000 repayment of CalCap loan, partially offset by the proceeds from the exercise of stock options in the amount of approximately $152,000. Financing activities in 2021 consisted primarily of $1.9 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options and a net borrowing of $625,000 on the CalCap Loan.

We can also borrow under the existing $2.5 million revolving credit facility that matures on January 31, 2025. On December 31, 2022, the Company had no outstanding drawings against the revolving credit facility.

The primary factors that influence our liquidity include the amount and timing of our revenues, cash collections from our customers, cash payments to our suppliers, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and share repurchases. We believe that our existing balances of cash, and capital resources, inclusive of available borrowing capacity on the revolving credit facility and funds generated from operations, are sufficient to meet anticipated capital requirements, fund our operations and support our growth. Our cash requirements, however, are subject to change as business conditions change.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1, Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Financial Statements included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The application of these policies requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on a combination of historical experience and reasonable judgment applied to other facts. Actual results may differ from these estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. In addition, the use of different assumptions or judgments may result in different estimates. We believe our critical accounting policies that are subject to these estimates are: Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable Reserves, Inventory Valuation, Stock-Based Compensation, and Income Taxes.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States “GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share 

The basic computation of earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period presented in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “Earnings Per Share”.  The computation of diluted earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period plus the common stock equivalents which would arise from the exercise of stock options and warrants outstanding using the treasury stock method and the average market price per share during the period. Common stock equivalents are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation when their effect is anti-dilutive.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

On January 1, 2017, we adopted ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and implemented a new revenue recognition policy. Under the new policy, we recognize revenue on sales to distributors when shipping of product is completed and the title transfers to the distributor, less a reserve for estimated product returns (sales and cost of sales). The reserves are based on estimates of future returns calculated from actual return history, primarily from stock rotations, plus knowledge of pending returns outside of the norm. As of December 31, 2022, the deferred revenue and deferred cost on shipments to distributors were approximately $595,000 and $266,000, respectively, compared to approximately $407,000 and $159,000, respectively, as of December 31, 2021.

We generally recognize revenues on sales to customers other than distributors upon shipment provided that contract with the customer is identified, performance obligations in the contract are satisfied, and the price is determined. Most of our customers other than distributors do not have a right of return except under warranty.

We earn revenue from an extended warranty service program offered on select products. Revenues from the extended warranty service program are recognized ratably over the life of the extended warranty contract. The amount of unrecognized warranty service revenue is classified as deferred service revenue and presented on our balance sheet in its short and long-term components.

We also earn revenue from services performed in connection with consulting and engineering development arrangements. For those contracts that include contract milestones or acceptance criteria we recognize revenue as such milestones are achieved or as such acceptance occurs. In some instances, the acceptance criteria in the contract require acceptance after all services are complete and all other elements have been delivered, in which case revenue recognition is deferred until those requirements are met.

Accounts Receivable Allowance

We estimate the amount of uncollectible receivables at the end of each reporting period based on the aging of the receivable balance, historical trends, and communications with our customers. If actual bad debts are significantly different from our estimates our operating results will be affected.

Inventory Valuation

Our inventories primarily consist of component parts used to assemble our products after we receive orders from our customers. We purchase or have manufactured the component parts required by our engineering bill of materials. The timing and quantity of our purchases are based on order forecasts, the lead time requirements of our vendors, and economic order quantities. At the end of each reporting period, we compare our inventory on hand to our forecasted requirements for the next twelve-month period and reserve the cost of any inventory that is a surplus, less any amounts that we believe we can recover from the disposal of goods or that we specifically believe will be saleable past a nine-month horizon. Our sales forecasts are based upon historical trends, communications from customers, and marketing data regarding market trends and dynamics. Surplus or obsolete inventory can also be created by changes to our engineering bill of materials. Charges for the amounts we record as surplus or obsolete inventory are included in the cost of revenue.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for share-based awards to employees, including grants of employee stock options and restricted stocks, in our financial statements based on the grant date fair values of the share-based awards. We use a binomial lattice valuation model to estimate the fair value of stock option grants. The binomial lattice model incorporates calculations for expected volatility, risk-free interest rates, employee exercise patterns and post-vesting employment termination behavior, and these factors affect the estimate of the fair value of the stock option grants.

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets consist of completed technologies and acquired license rights. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives based upon the estimated economic value derived from the related intangible assets. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we did not recognize any impairment loss of its long-lived assets. 

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method under ASC 740, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, the Company determined deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, it would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

The Company recorded uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

Results of Operations for Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

Revenues

Revenue for 2022 was $21.2 million, a decrease of 8% compared to revenue of $23.2 million for 2021. Revenue of SocketScan series products represented 80% of our 2022 revenue and decreased by 4% compared to 2021. Our DuraScan series products, which are weatherproof and ruggedized and primarily targeted at commercial, industrial, warehousing, and outdoor application and their associated customers, represented about 14% of 2022 revenue and decreased 22% compared to 2021. The decrease in revenue was due to weak demand, particularly in retail, which is our primary revenue driver.

Gross Margins

Annual gross margins on revenue decreased to 48.8% in 2022 from 53.6% in 2021. The decrease in gross margin was driven by significant inflation and persistent higher component costs as well as the allocation of manufacturing overhead costs across lower production volumes.

Research and Development Expenses

For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we incurred approximately $4.4 million and $4.0 million, respectively, of research and development expenses, an increase of approximately $398,000, or 10%. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due to an increase of approximately $310,000 in payroll-related costs due to the impact of annual salary increase and headcount growth.

Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenue were 21% in 2022 and 17% in 2021. We believe that a continued commitment to Research and Development activities is essential to maintain or achieve a leadership position for our existing products, to provide innovative new product offerings, and to provide engineering support for key customers. In addition, we consider our ability to accelerate time to market for new products to be critical to our revenue growth. Therefore, we expect to continue to make significant Research and Development investments in the future. The investment percentage is impacted by revenue levels and investing cycles.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses in 2022 were approximately $3.6 million, an increase of approximately 21% compared to $3.0 million in 2021. The increase in expenses in 2022 was primarily due to the impact of our annual salary increase and the increase in the number of employees. We expect our compensation expense to increase as we selectively add new talent and adjust compensation to market conditions.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses in 2022 was $2.81 million, an increase of approximately $40,000 or 1% compared to $2.77 million in 2021.

Interest Expense, net of Interest Income

Interest expense and other, net of interest income and other, was approximately $175,000 in 2022 compared to approximately $199,000 in 2021. Interest expense in both 2022 and 2021 was primarily related to the subordinated convertible notes (see Note 4, Secured Subordinated Convertible Notes Payable, of the Notes to Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information) and interest on the bank term loan.

Interest income reflects the interest earned on cash balances. Interest income was nominal in each of the comparable periods.

Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax benefit of $708,000 (an effective tax rate of 114.1%) in 2022, compared to $1.9 million (an effective tax rate of negative 45.6%) in 2021. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”), which was signed into U.S. law in December 2017, eliminated the option to immediately deduct research and development expenditures in the year incurred under Section 174 effective January 1, 2022. The amended provision under Section 174 requires us to capitalize and amortize these expenditures over five years (for U.S.-based research). As of December 31, 2022, we recorded an increase in taxable income of $3.95 million and an increase in net deferred tax asset of $1.1 million. We are monitoring legislation for any further changes to Section 174 and the potential impact on our financial statements in 2023.

The 2021 effective tax was primarily attributed to the income tax benefit of $1.9 million resulting from the disqualifying disposition of incentive stock options.

Our net operating loss carry-forwards will expire at various dates from 2023 through 2033. The Company’s deferred tax asset, primarily representing future income tax savings from the application of net operating loss carry-forwards, was valued at $8.67 million and $7.96 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table sets forth a summary of quarterly statements of operations data for each of the quarters in 2021 and 2022. This unaudited quarterly information has been prepared on the same basis as the annual information presented elsewhere herein, and, in our opinion, includes all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring entries) necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the quarters presented. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

Our quarterly revenue and operating results depend on the volume and timing of orders received, which are difficult to forecast. Historically, we have recognized a substantial portion of our revenue in the last month of the quarter. Operating results may also fluctuate due to factors such as the demand for our products, the size and timing of customer orders, the introduction of new products and product enhancements by us or our competitors, product mix, the timing of software enhancements, manufacturing supply shortages, changes in the level of operating expenses, and competitive conditions in the industry. Because our staffing and other operating expenses are based on anticipated revenue, a substantial portion of which is not typically generated until the end of each quarter, delays in the receipt of orders can cause significant variations in operating results from quarter to quarter.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022 are outlined in the table shown below:

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2022, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1, Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the status of recent accounting pronouncements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our bank term loan and credit line facilities. Amounts outstanding under the term loan bear interest at the lender's prime rate (minimum of 4.25%) plus 0.75%. Our bank credit line facilities of up to $2.5 million have variable interest rates based upon the lender's prime rate (minimum of 4.25%) plus 0.75%, for both the domestic line (up to $2.0 million) and the international line (up to $0.5 million). Accordingly, interest rate increases could increase our interest expense on outstanding term loans and credit line balances.

Foreign Currency Risk

A substantial majority of our revenue, expense and purchasing activities are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, we require our European distributors to purchase our products in Euros and we pay the expenses of our European employees in Euros and British pounds. We may enter into selected future purchase commitments with foreign suppliers that may be paid in the local currency of the supplier. Based on a sensitivity analysis of our net foreign currency denominated assets and expenses at the beginning, during and at the end of the quarter ended December 31, 2022, an adverse change of 10% in exchange rates would have resulted in a decrease in our net income for the fourth quarter 2022 of approximately $24,000 if left unprotected. For the fourth quarter of 2022, the total net adjustment for the effects of changes in foreign currency on cash balances, collections, payables, and derivatives used to hedge foreign currency risks, was a net gain of $15,400. We will continue to monitor, assess, and mitigate through hedging activities, our risks related to foreign currency fluctuations.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The supplementary information required by this item is included in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Socket Mobile, Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Socket Mobile, Inc. (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2022 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) related to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgements. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance Assessment

Critical Audit Matter Description

As described in note 9 to the financial statements, the Company is in a net deferred tax asset position before valuation allowance. The deferred tax assets consist principally of net operating loss carryforwards. The future

realization of the tax benefits from existing temporary differences and tax attributes ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income. In assessing the realization of the deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized through the preparation of an undiscounted projected future cash flow analysis.

We identified the evaluation of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance assessment as a critical audit matter because of the significant estimates and assumptions management used in the undiscounted cash flow analysis. Performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of these estimates and assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures consisted of the following:

/s/ Sadler, Gibb & Associates, LLC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.

Draper, UT

March 30, 2023 

Auditor Firm ID: 3627

See accompanying notes.

See accompanying notes.

See accompanying notes.

 See accompanying notes.

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 — Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Business

Socket Mobile, Inc. (the “Company”) is a leading provider of data capture and delivery solutions for mobile applications used in Retail, Commercial Services, Industrial & Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, and Health Care. The Company produces a family of data capture products that connect over Bluetooth and work with applications running on smartphones, tablets and mobile computers using operating systems from Apple® (iOS), Google™ (Android™) and Microsoft® (Windows®). The Company focuses on serving the needs of software application providers as our sales are primarily driven by the deployment of barcode and RFID/NFC enabled mobile applications.

The Company designs its own products and subcontracts the manufacturing of product components to independent third-party contract manufacturers who are in the U.S., Mexico, Singapore, China, Malaysia and Taiwan and who have the equipment, know-how and capacity to manufacture products to the Company’s specifications. Final products are assembled, tested, packaged, and distributed at and from its Fremont, California facility. The Company offers its products worldwide through two-tier distribution enabling customers to purchase from a large number of online resellers around the world including some application providers. The geographic regions served by the Company include the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa.

The Company was founded in March 1992 as Socket Communications, Inc. and reincorporated in Delaware in 1995 prior to the Company’s initial public offering in June 1995. The Company began doing business as Socket Mobile, Inc. in January 2007 to better reflect its market focus on the mobile business market, and changed its legal name to Socket Mobile, Inc. in April 2008. The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Marketplace under the symbol “SCKT.” The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 40675 Encyclopedia Circle, Fremont, CA 94538.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity date of 90 days or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents consisted of amounts held in demand deposit accounts in banks. The aggregate cash balance on deposit in these accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company’s cash balance on deposit in these accounts may, at times, exceed the federally insured limits. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents of $250,000 were insured by FDIC and of $3,373,469 were not insured by FDIC. The Company has never experienced any losses in such accounts. In light of recent volatility in the financial markets, the Company entered into an ICS Deposit Placement Agreement with IntraFi Network LLC through its own bank, Bridge Bank, a division of Western Alliance Bank. The ICS program offers its customers’ demand or savings products with access to unlimited FDIC insurance, thereby helping the Company retain the full amount of the deposit on its balance sheet.

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and foreign exchange contracts approximate fair value due to the relatively short period of time to maturity.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency for the Company is the U.S. dollar. However, the Company requires European distributors to purchase products in Euros and British pounds and pays the expenses of European employees in Euros and British pounds. In 2022, the total net adjustment for the effects of changes in foreign currency on cash balances, collections, and payables was a net loss of $41,300 compared to a net loss of $31,100 in 2021.

Accounts Receivable Allowances

The Company estimates the amount of uncollectible accounts receivable at the end of each reporting period based on the aging of the receivable balance, current and historical customer trends, and communications with its customers. Amounts are written off only after considerable collection efforts have been made and the amounts are determined to be uncollectible. The following describes activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

Inventories

Inventories consist principally of raw materials and sub-assemblies stated at the lower of standard cost, which approximates actual costs (first-in, first-out method), or market. Market is defined as replacement cost, but not in excess of estimated net realizable value or less than estimated net realizable value less a normal margin. At the end of each reporting period, the Company compares its inventory on hand to its forecasted requirements for the next nine-month period and reserves the cost of any inventory that is surplus, less any amounts that the Company believes it can recover from the disposal of goods or that the Company specifically believes will be saleable past a nine- month horizon. The Company’s sales forecasts are based upon historical trends, communications from customers, and marketing data regarding market trends and dynamics. Changes in the amounts recorded for surplus or obsolete inventory are included in cost of revenue. Inventories, net of write-downs, at December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisted of the following:

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of various payments that the Company has made in advance for goods or services to be received in the future. Prepaid expenses and other current assets at December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisted of the following:

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method, over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from one to five years. Assets under finance leases are amortized in a manner consistent with the Company’s normal depreciation policy for owned assets, or the remaining lease term as applicable. Depreciation expenses in the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, were $594,793 and $620,115, respectively.

Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets consist of completed technologies and acquired license rights. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives based upon the estimated economic value derived from the related intangible assets. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the amortization expenses of intangible assets were $127,296 and $95,472, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we did not recognize any impairment loss of its long-lived assets.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk include cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company invests its cash in demand deposit accounts in banks. To date, the Company has not experienced losses on the investments.

The Company’s trade accounts receivable is primarily with distributors. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition, but the Company generally requires no collateral. Reserves are maintained for potential credit losses, and such losses have been within management’s expectations. Customers who accounted for at least 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable balances as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were as follows:

Concentration of Suppliers

Several of the Company’s component parts are produced by a sole or limited number of suppliers. Shortages could occur in these essential materials due to increased demand, or to an interruption of supply. Suppliers may choose to restrict credit terms or require advance payments causing delays in the procurement of essential materials. If the Company were unable to procure certain of such materials, it could have a material adverse effect upon its results. As of December 31, 2022, 31%of the Company’s accounts payable balances were concentrated with top two suppliers. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, top two suppliers accounted for 46% of inventory purchases.

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and implemented a new revenue recognition policy. Instead of deferring 100% of revenue and cost of revenue until products are sold by distributors, the new policy recognizes revenue on sales to distributors when shipping of product is completed and title transfers to the distributor, less a reserve for estimated product returns (sales and cost of sales). The reserves are based on estimates of future returns calculated from actual return history, primarily from stock rotations, plus knowledge of pending returns outside of the norm. On December 31, 2022, the deferred revenue and deferred cost on shipments to distributors were approximately $594,793 and $266,327 respectively, compared to approximately $407,235 and $158,977, respectively, as of December 31, 2021.

The Company also earns revenue from its SocketCare services program which provides for extended warranty and accidental breakage coverage for selected products. For the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the SocketCare revenue was approximately $22,000 and $26,000, respectively. Service purchased at the time of product purchase provides coverage in three-year and five-year terms. The Company additionally offers comprehensive coverage and program term extensions. Revenues from the SocketCare services program are recognized ratably over the life of the extended warranty contract. The amount of unrecognized SocketCare service revenue is classified as deferred service revenue and presented on the Company’s balance sheet in its short-term and long-term components. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the balances of unrecognized SocketCare service revenue were $34,366 and $31,409, respectively.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margins

 Cost of sales primarily consists of the costs to manufacture our products, including the costs of materials, contract manufacturing, shipping costs, personnel and related expenses including stock-based compensation, equipment and facility expenses, warranty costs and inventory excess and obsolete provisions. The factors that affect our gross margins are the cost of materials, the mix of products and the extent to which we are able to efficiently utilize our manufacturing capacity.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires a lessee to recognize a liability representing future lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For operating leases, a lessee is required to recognize at inception a right-of-use asset and a lease liability equal to the net present value of the lease payments, with lease expense recognized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. For leases with a term of twelve months or less, ASU 2016-02 allows a reporting entity to make an accounting policy election to not recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, and to recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019. On May 1, 2022, the Company entered into a building lease agreement for its corporate headquarters located in Fremont, CA. As of December 31, 2022, the balances of right-of-use assets and liabilities for the operating leases were approximately $3.56 million and $3.74 million, respectively, compared to approximately $0.21 million and $0.26 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2021.

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Warranty

The Company’s products typically carry a one-year warranty. The Company reserves for estimated product warranty costs at the time revenue is recognized based upon the Company’s historical warranty experience, and additionally for any known product warranty issues. If actual costs differ from initial estimates, the Company records the difference in the period they are identified. Actual claims are charged against the warranty reserve. The following describes activity in the reserves for product warranty costs for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

Research and Development

Research and development expenditures are charged to operations as incurred. The major components of research and development costs include salaries and employee benefits, stock-based compensation expense, third party development costs including consultants and outside services, and allocations of overhead and occupancy costs.

Software Development Costs

Costs incurred to develop computer software to be sold or otherwise marketed are charged to expense until technological feasibility of the product has been established. Once technological feasibility has been established, computer software development costs (consisting primarily of internal labor costs) are capitalized and reported at the lower of amortized cost or estimated realizable value. Purchased software development cost is recorded at cost. When a product is ready for general release, its capitalized costs are amortized on a product-by-product basis. The annual amortization is the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic life (a period of three to five years) of the product. Amortization of capitalized software development costs is included in the cost of revenues line on the statements of operations.  If the future revenue of a product is less than anticipated, impairment of the related unamortized development costs could occur, which could impact the Company’s results of operations. Amortization expense on software development costs included in costs of revenues for 2022 and 2021 was $43,572 for both periods. The amount of unamortized capitalized software costs as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $7,262 and $50,833, respectively.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are charged to sales and marketing as incurred. The Company incurred $31,146 and $13,627, in advertising costs during 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method under ASC 740 which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are included in the cost of revenues in the statement of operations.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic shares to diluted shares and the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:

SOCKET MOBILE, INC.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In 2022, the shares used in computing diluted net income per share do not include 342,765 stock options, 844,976 shares of restricted stocks and 958,904 shares for convertible notes as their effects are anti-dilutive. In 2021, the shares used in computing diluted net income per share do not include 691,125 dilutive stock options and shares of restricted stocks as the effect is anti-dilutive.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company has incentive plans that reward employees with stock options and shares of restricted stocks. The amount of compensation cost for these stock-based awards is measured based on the fair value of the awards as of the date that the awards are issued. The fair values of stock options are generally determined using a binomial lattice valuation model which incorporates assumptions about expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, and expected life. Compensation cost for stock-based awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief executive officer in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

The Company operates in the mobile barcode scanning and RFID reader/writer market. Mobile scanning typically consists of mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets, with mobile scanning peripherals for data collection, and third-party vertical applications software. The Company distributes its products in the United States and foreign countries primarily through distributors and resellers. The Company markets its products primarily through application providers whose applications are designed to work with Company’s products.

Revenues for the geographic areas for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows: