A completely unsubstantiated rumor floating among day traders has RIM stock up a pretty penny today, suggesting that Microsoft may be looking to acquire Waterloo's finest in response to Google's
meddling in the mobile space. At this point, pundits seem to be merely saying that it "makes sense," not that they've actually caught wind of anything substantial -- but we're kinda hoping Microsoft doesn't get any ideas here. We're not seeing Microsoft pushing a non-Windows Mobile based platform onto licensees any time soon -- particularly one that relies as heavily on Java as the BlackBerry OS does -- and a BlackBerry-branded device running Windows Mobile makes about as much sense as a Mac running Wind... oh, wait.
[Via
BloggingBuyouts]
posted Aug 30th 2007 2:33PM
"and a BlackBerry-branded device running Windows Mobile makes about as much sense as a Mac running Wind..."
...or a Palm running Windows Mobile...
Wow didn't think Microsoft would really take over the smartphone division... Interesting as how this would develop into.
I agree. I didn't realize RIM was either in so much trouble of some sort, not making enough profits, or simply just wanting to get out of the business which they are the dominate handheld leaders in corporate America. Very interesting indeed!
Why do you immediately think RIM is in trouble? How many companies look to buy something that is dying? Maybe, just maybe, they want to buy best of breed...
Also, this is totally BS =]
Uhh... did you miss the part where they had >!B of revenue last quarter, and added 1.2M subscribers? RIM is nowhere near "in some sort of trouble" - the most upsetting thing about them currently is that they are providing too many variants of devices into the consumer market without any single "all-singing-all-dancing" device. I guess that means the die-hard will just have to buy two different devices :(
Seriously though, someone somewhere is pumping up their shares - I might consider liquidating a portion of my holdings and then buy them back at a cheaper price once this is shown to be total BS... Wasn't there a rumor that Palm was looking to acquire RIM like a year ago? I'm sure this is actually some total misinterpretation of RIM's virtualized BB-on-WM software that's supposed to be released soon.
@gfar
I'm not too sure if you were commenting at me?
However what I wrote was sarcasm. reread the uppercase which is NOW pointed out as sarcasm!
"or simply just wanting to get out of the business which they are the DOMINATE HANDNELD LEADERS IN CORPORATE AMERICA."
I dont mind not getting rank, however getting commenting on for misinterpretation of a comment is another thing. I will work on my lame sarcasm. ok!
Please Please Please no. I like my Blackberry Curve exactly because it doesn't run a Windows Mobile OS.
Acquiring RIM is one thing, changing the BB device and putting a nasty taste into users mouth. Oh heck no... even Microsoft knows that would draw too much flack!
Don't worry, Microsoft has no intentions on changing the BB device. They simply one to dominate the market!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We get the point :-)
4-5 extra "Os" usually make the point
Actualllly, I thinkk he's just usiing an Appple keeyboard liike I amm.
For the love of all things sacred in the technology business, Microsoft, DO NOT TOUCH BLACKBERRY! there's a reason why so many people use them: BECAUSE THEY ARE BETTER.
if this actually goes through, the world's superpowers will no longer consist of America et al, but rather MSFT, GOOG, and AAPL
sweet jesus.
I agree that Apple punches way above it's weight, but to call it a superpower I don't think so. Sony, LG, or Samsung would have a better chance.
Well I say that AAPL is a superpower because of what they're trying to do. Phones, MP3 players, computers, etc...
but in all honesty, Google is the one abusing their power here. look at what they're doing, and almost no one is opposed to it.
Not to try and sound immature or anything, but that title sounds dirty.
I've read it a couple times, but I still don't see anything dirty...
A touch screen blackberry with a huge community of hacks and programmers supporting it... I might finally bite... WinMo = better and more software BB = better and faster mobile email.
Yeah I'd consider a BB then.
WM6 - BB OS, eyeing - eying...
Whats the diff?
If you can't beat them, join them...
In Microsoft's case... If you can't beat them, Acquire them!
Being a System Admin, I can't help think this is just monopolistic attitude at it's best and if our government was worth 2 cents, they would stop this, if this is legit. I just got through activated a Blackberry for an executive, the 8830 world edition, and I can't fathom the Blackberry on Windows. UGH, makes me sick. You know, IF this does happen, then the iPhone could be huge with people on Blackberries going to iPhones (with the iPhone unlocked).
How you gonna stop an American company buying a Canadian company?
falls outside of your Nations reach.
Because even if they do buy them, they are making the Blackberries that come to our country, USA, be another Microsoft product, thus REDUCING competition. You either get:
1) Palm
2) Windows smart phone
3) Windows Blackberry
4) iPhone
5) Other unnamed smart phone.
The unnamed ones won't get the business and you see, there are ALOT of Windows based smart phones and taking another competitor out, is monopolistic. Palm is going bye bye it seems, Engadget even notices this, SO you will have Microsoft or Apple. I DON'T like that, do you? I am not saying it will happen, but somebody needs to stop Microsoft and then buying every damn company on the planet.
Plus, Microsoft is a USA based company, the government can smack them when they want to.
I do like it actually, because I think WinMo is more flexible... with a big community of developers...
you did fail to mention symbian which is most likely still the biggest smartphone OS out there, and I would go back to symbian if (when) they create a full touch screen device... (nokia iPhone looking good)
actually I don't believe they (MS) can buy the market up and remember this is a rumor... probably the 10th time in the last couple of years this rumor has hit the markets.
I don't personally have favorites and could be an iPhone convert if they fix the battery (needs to be removeable) and a proper sdk for developers. Damn the safari crap.
I just don't care to see ANOTHER Microsoft product. To many damn versions of Vista, and a poor OS, Windows Mobile is OK at best, and Blackberry is doing great on their on. LEAVE THEM ALONE. If Microsoft wants to compete, then they need to get their ass in there and MAKE THEIR OWN SHIT. Geez, no adays you just "buy" stuff and never create it on your own.
What unnamed phones that no one ever buys?
I guess you're referring to
HTC Hermes (ATT 8525)
HTC Touch
HTC Kaiser/p4550/ATT Tilt
You're right, there just aren't any phone options out there.
Except Nokia's symbians, Garnet OS on Palm, WIN MO on HTC/Palm/Samsung/Motorolla, and Apple's iPhone.
did you guys just post this to get a rise out of us?
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/08/30/tech-rim.html
no it is a news item in some places
symbian is the biggest mobile OS out there? is that true?
I've since WM5 its become my preferred mobile platform until the days when we can stick a well developed Linux platform on anything we buy. So I'll take it. Snazzy hardware with my favorite mobile OS...
ya microsoft has just thought of little diff
I hope this isn't true. I absolutely detest my WM5 pocketpc phone, MS needs the competition to keep them somewhat innovative. As it is WM5 is still the same version of the PPC software I was using in 2001 (they did add backgrounds to the today screen, but nothing else I can find), we don't need them buying out their competition and stagnating innovation everywhere.
Buy It! Buy It! *Looks at Stock Portfolio*
This is an interesting scenario ...
Most PC users have never used anything else, so when first confronted with Windows, they don't have any basis for comparison.
On the other hand, Blackberry users/addicts already have expectations of their handheld devices.
IF Microsoft then comes in and ruins the Blackberry, folks WILL notice, and maybe their reputation for "innovation" will finally take a huge hit.
Oh yeah, you guessed it - I use a Mac.
All us Mac and BB users feel the same obviously.. i mean, could you imagine? Imagine having to do SP rollbacks on the pearl 3..
1. Take the email tecnologies and nicer interface (imho) from the BB OS.
2. Take WinMo app support, take out the crap bitmap graphics =P
3. Combine
4. ????
5. Profit!
Slashdot is in the other tab...
If Microsoft buys RIM, I'm throwing my by Blackberry into the Pacific Ocean quicker than Apple sold 270,000 iPhones!
If Microsoft buys RIM, I'm throwing my by Blackberry into the Pacific Ocean quicker than Apple sold 270,000 iPhones!
These rumors are purely speculative... and they are everywhere. It has no bases whatsoever.
Remember a few months ago there where a huge rumor about Microsoft merging with Yahoo? Where are those rumors now?
If Blackberries had improved Exchange support and WinMo devices could receive push mail from Blackberry servers, I'd consider that a plus.
"Improved Exchange Support" - what exactly are you missing on your BlackBerry in terms of Exchange support? The only thing I really miss on my Pearl is the colorization of calendar items.
i just traded a Q for a BB 8830. I hope MS doesn't ruin my new phone.
Wow, Microsoft would virtually be in bed with the University of Waterloo considering RIM is right beside the university.
(Background: Microsoft paid Waterloo to make their profs teach C# in computer/electrical engineering classes. And Microsoft hires a lot of students from Waterloo).
That's not the only school they've "invested in"... A lot of schools don't teach Macromedia and get super cheap Visual Studio licenses for a reason.
For what it's worth, in fall 2008, 1st year Software Engineers (and I presume all first year CS students) at Waterloo will learn C++
CS will be using gcc, g++, C, C++, uC++ and other varieties.
If it was Apple possibly acquiring RIM, why do I suspect a different tune? Hmmmm
Just what we need, another good product getting screwed by microsoft... Don't touch the BB OS... it's a good os. I hate winmo with a passion....
boooo!
I Like BB, i guess it would be great for MSFT, but i guess it`s not going to happen anytime soon.
WinMO is great. BB is Great.
i think they would follow separated ways for a couple of years,and WinMO 7, with new exchance server would make it a true corporate winner, after all, you all use word, excel, outlook right?
but talking about monopoly is lame. of course it can be done and sec can`t do nothing about it.
I guess it would be evolutionary for both companies.
cheers
I beleive this is highly unlikely, just by looking at how big RIMM is.
Microsoft Cash Reserves: $29 billion
RIMM market Cap: $47 billion
Maybe they're just trying to get a plurality share.
Why not? Windows Mobile is a very competent OS. :)
Unlike their desktop OSes. :(
For 10 billion -- which is probably what RIMM costs, they can start their own phone design company (I bet Apple spent far less on developing the iPhone). Hire the best designers in the world .. you can hire 1000 of the worlds best designers and pay them $1 million each and you would still have $9 billion left over. Heck, hire me. You actually only need about 30 people - max. Coming from Microsoft, you can expect the phones to be boring, just like the Zune is boring.
Actually that can be a good thing. Microsoft owns a nice chunk of Apple, it doesn't mean Apple become just another harware manufacturer. And if MS could make hardware worthy of its OS, not penny pitching OEMS who bearly hits minimum requirements for OS to run, I don't see why would it be sa bad.
no more chunck since 99' time to get an update on what's going on in 2007…
http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/5059_Symbian_market_share_analysis_.php
you can google to your hearts content and you will find that symbian is the market leader in the mobile phone OS dept.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! For the love of Christ and all things holy. Leave my BBerry the way it is.
Thank you.
can this handhelds get any better