A match made in hell: Microsoft eying RIM?

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]

[Jigar @ Aug 30th 2007 2:40PM]

"and a BlackBerry-branded device running Windows Mobile makes about as much sense as a Mac running Wind..."

...or a Palm running Windows Mobile...

[Christian @ Aug 30th 2007 2:41PM]

Wow didn't think Microsoft would really take over the smartphone division... Interesting as how this would develop into.

[Xzavier @ Aug 30th 2007 3:14PM]

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!

[gfar @ Aug 30th 2007 4:50PM]

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 =]

[Badonkadonk @ Aug 31st 2007 8:57AM]

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.

[Xzavier @ Aug 30th 2007 10:38PM]

@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!

[TT @ Aug 30th 2007 2:41PM]

Please Please Please no. I like my Blackberry Curve exactly because it doesn't run a Windows Mobile OS.

[Xzavier @ Aug 30th 2007 3:14PM]

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!

[I luv BB @ Aug 30th 2007 2:44PM]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jonathan Keim @ Aug 30th 2007 2:48PM]

We get the point :-)

4-5 extra "Os" usually make the point

[joe23521 @ Aug 30th 2007 2:54PM]

Actualllly, I thinkk he's just usiing an Appple keeyboard liike I amm.

[Alex Padilla @ Aug 30th 2007 2:46PM]

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.

[simon @ Aug 30th 2007 2:49PM]

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.

[Alex Padilla @ Aug 30th 2007 3:36PM]

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.

[waiownsyou @ Aug 30th 2007 2:48PM]

Not to try and sound immature or anything, but that title sounds dirty.

[Richard @ Aug 30th 2007 2:52PM]

I've read it a couple times, but I still don't see anything dirty...

[Will @ Aug 30th 2007 2:57PM]

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.

[Spyvie @ Aug 30th 2007 2:59PM]

WM6 - BB OS, eyeing - eying...

Whats the diff?

[Xzavier @ Aug 30th 2007 3:03PM]

If you can't beat them, join them...

In Microsoft's case... If you can't beat them, Acquire them!

[Michael @ Aug 30th 2007 3:04PM]

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).

[Will @ Aug 30th 2007 3:13PM]

How you gonna stop an American company buying a Canadian company?
falls outside of your Nations reach.

[Michael @ Aug 30th 2007 3:19PM]

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.

[Michael @ Aug 30th 2007 3:22PM]

Plus, Microsoft is a USA based company, the government can smack them when they want to.

[Will @ Aug 30th 2007 3:29PM]

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.

[Michael @ Aug 30th 2007 3:33PM]

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.

[andy @ Aug 30th 2007 4:30PM]

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.

[pkpowerhouse @ Aug 30th 2007 9:30PM]

symbian is the biggest mobile OS out there? is that true?

[akijikan @ Aug 30th 2007 3:30PM]

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...

[Dave George @ Aug 30th 2007 3:33PM]

did you guys just post this to get a rise out of us?

[Will @ Aug 30th 2007 3:39PM]

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/08/30/tech-rim.html

no it is a news item in some places

[Danny @ Aug 30th 2007 3:44PM]

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.

[F. BOTI @ Aug 30th 2007 3:46PM]

Buy It! Buy It! *Looks at Stock Portfolio*

[Suraj Sharma @ Aug 30th 2007 3:48PM]

ya microsoft has just thought of little diff

[Fernando @ Aug 30th 2007 3:54PM]

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!

[Andir3.0 @ Aug 30th 2007 4:56PM]

Slashdot is in the other tab...

[Gordon R. Vaughan @ Aug 30th 2007 4:02PM]

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.

[Dave George @ Aug 30th 2007 4:15PM]

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..

[Josh @ Aug 30th 2007 4:06PM]

If Microsoft buys RIM, I'm throwing my by Blackberry into the Pacific Ocean quicker than Apple sold 270,000 iPhones!

[Josh @ Aug 30th 2007 4:07PM]

If Microsoft buys RIM, I'm throwing my by Blackberry into the Pacific Ocean quicker than Apple sold 270,000 iPhones!

[Andrew Fong @ Aug 30th 2007 4:11PM]

If Blackberries had improved Exchange support and WinMo devices could receive push mail from Blackberry servers, I'd consider that a plus.

[Badonkadonk @ Aug 31st 2007 8:57AM]

"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.

[Feb30th @ Aug 30th 2007 4:18PM]

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?

[ds @ Aug 30th 2007 4:19PM]

i just traded a Q for a BB 8830. I hope MS doesn't ruin my new phone.

[Anonymous @ Aug 30th 2007 4:20PM]

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).

[Andir3.0 @ Aug 30th 2007 5:01PM]

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.

[Mike @ Aug 30th 2007 5:24PM]

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++

[blueeyesm @ Aug 31st 2007 11:40AM]

CS will be using gcc, g++, C, C++, uC++ and other varieties.

[crusadernm @ Aug 30th 2007 4:31PM]

If it was Apple possibly acquiring RIM, why do I suspect a different tune? Hmmmm

[Josh @ Aug 30th 2007 4:37PM]

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!

[aludolf @ Aug 30th 2007 5:28PM]

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