Is Microsoft finally close to snatching up RIM?

by Darren Murph posted Oct 10th 2008 at 9:33AM

Funny story -- we pretty much heard this exact same rumor floating around last August, but given the current economic situation, we're inclined to believe this one a good bit more. A recent Reuters report is pointing out that RIM (like practically every other company right about now) is ripe for the picking, and any outfit with a serious load of cash reserves could get themselves quite a bargain. Given that the Redmond mega-corp has shown interest before (and clearly has plenty of Greenbacks), we were particularly interested in Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek's quote: "I'm fairly certain [Microsoft] has a standing offer to buy [RIM] at $50 a share." If you'll recall, RIM's stock sat at $148 per share just four months ago, and now, it's hovering around $60. As expected, Microsoft had no comment on the report, but don't be surprised to see something go down if Wall Street keeps hemorrhaging.

[Via Electronista]

Filed under: Handsets, Others, RIM, Windows Mobile

Tags: acquisition, BlackBerry, Microsoft, RIM, rumor, takeover

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

john @ Oct 10th 2008 9:40AM

i threw up a little after seeing windows mobile 'shopped on those blackberries

Highly Ranked

SLVR6 @ Oct 10th 2008 10:18AM

That would totally kill the Blackberry brand if MS put WinMo on Blackberrys!

Highest Ranked

Quikboy @ Oct 10th 2008 5:18PM

Wow. You actually think Microsoft would be that dumb to just drop WinMo on a Blackberry device, and sell it just like that?

You don't need a high IQ, just to see what MS will do. "If" MS buys RIM, it's probably likely they'll mesh together the good stuff between WinMo and the Blackberry OS.

And if you're one of those people who just used WinMo for a few minutes and gave up, or bought a lousy made phone, or just blatantly hate MS, it'd be really difficult to give WinMo a fair assessment, now would it? If you're literate, and have a quality phone in the first place, WinMo is a powerful mobile OS and VERY customizable and versatile to deal with.

WinMo 7 will be even better.

Neutral

Shawn S @ Oct 10th 2008 10:40AM

I never pray, but please god let this be true. I long for the days of those useless devices being gone. Don't get me wrong, if all you want is email, calendar, and to play brickbreaker they're great.

I'll take a winmo device any day of the week.

Neutral

EJ @ Oct 10th 2008 10:40AM

I'm a die-hard Blackberry fan...but if Microsoft bought RIM I can only see negative changes (WinMo) and I doubt I would buy another one. I think many people would feel the same way.

Highly Ranked

stopimawesome @ Oct 10th 2008 11:01AM

Most people buy Blackberrys to avoid WinMo smartphones. Microsoft doesn't seem to get that.

Low Ranked

SpectreGadget @ Oct 10th 2008 12:23PM

Neither does Shawn S. WinMo is complete crap compared to the reliability, size, battery live, etc. of the blackberries. I can't tell you how many people asked for the ability to edit documents on the handhelds. How many acutally use it for that after the first few times.

The best thing about Windows mobile devices to me is the competition (to speak of) that keeps those like RIM on their toes and advancing.

Lowest Ranked

steven @ Oct 10th 2008 1:22PM

i just launched a blackberry blog and i would take that site down so fast if MS bought RIM. I HATE WINDOWS! i got a mac to get away from vista, i bought a blackberry to get away from winmo, etc.

this would be complete CRAP!!!

Highest Ranked

Meltz @ Oct 10th 2008 5:31PM

Now try syncing your blackberry with your mac...

Neutral

James T @ Oct 11th 2008 7:48PM

The latest update to pocketmac works pretty good. I still can't update my BB OS with it; but, it syncs address and itunes just fine.

Lowest Ranked

Loony2nz @ Oct 10th 2008 2:11PM

I played with a WinMo before (the blackjack), was thoroughly disappointed. I bought an iPhone which turned out to be an iPOS.
So I bought a Blackberry and couldn't be happier with my Curve.

If MS buys RIM, what's my next logical choice? Android? Back to a dumbphone? argh..why must M$ crap on everything they touch!

Neutral

blicket @ Oct 10th 2008 3:47PM

"Really? Leaving aside for a moment the fact that Microsoft already has a mobile OS in Windows Mobile and the fact that RIM’s client architecture is, you know, based on Linux, wouldn’t a merger between two of the largest players in the smartphone market invite antitrust scrutiny?"

http://digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20081010/better-rim-than-yahoo/

Neutral

michael @ Oct 14th 2008 10:20AM

The BB OS is Java - not Linux.

Neutral

blicket @ Oct 14th 2008 11:35AM

Yes BB OS is Java but where do you think the JVM and byte code are on top of? It is extremely rare to see un-managed java code. I doubt BB OS is that. The difference is Windows Mobile is managed AND native.

Neutral

Winstoni @ Oct 10th 2008 9:30PM

that would just be AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL for Blackberry to be bought by the Microsoft morons. Windows is and will always be a terrible operating system and it would COMPLETELY RUIN the Blackberry brand. PRAY this doesn't happen.

Neutral

James T @ Oct 11th 2008 7:58PM

I think I died a little reading this.

I can't even believe RIM would seriously consider any offer. We Canadians have so little that we can call our own like the Canada Arm. And most USians have no clue what that is. At least, when we mention BlackBerry, most USians know what we are talking about.