RIM pushing for sale to Samsung

By +Frank B.
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Grand Master

+Frank B. Subscriber²

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Research In Motion pushing for sale to Samsung

Research In Motion is currently weighing every single option it can think of in an effort to reverse a negative trend that is approaching a boiling point for investors. Reports that RIM is currently in talks to license its software to other vendors are accurate according to our trusted sources, though we have been told that RIM is most likely leaning toward an outright sale of one or more divisions, or even the whole company. The front runner, we have been told by a trusted source with knowledge of the situation, is Samsung, which might be interested in RIM for a number of reasons.

One of the biggest assets RIM has is BlackBerry Messenger, and it would be a smart way for Samsung to differentiate itself inside the Android ecosystem. HTC has its Sense suite and it recently bought into Beats by Dr. Dre. Samsung could buy RIM, or a part of the company, and integrate not only BBM but also several other enterprise features into Android to make its devices an even bigger threat to competitors. This could also help Samsung better differentiate itself on the software and OS level, pulling more control into its hands and away from Google.

We have heard that Jim Balsillie is actively meeting with almost every company that might be interested in either a part or all of RIM, in addition to having talks about licensing. ?Jim is going hard after Samsung,? said a source with knowledge of the negotiations. One of the reasons no deal has been struck, however, is that RIM?s co-CEOs are asking for way too much.

We have heard the company is looking for more than $10 billion for a full sale, likely somewhere in the $12 billion to $15 billion range, or between approximately $22.90 and $28.60 per share. RIM?s market capitalization currently sits at about $8.5 billion, though several analysts think that even $8.5 billion is more than an interested party would consider bidding at the moment.

Samsung declined to comment and a spokesperson for RIM did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It?s certainly an interesting time at Research In Motion, and we?ll have much more on RIM in the coming days.

Source: BGR

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Yusuf M. Veteran

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If it happens, then it'd make Samsung the largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world.

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M_Lyons10

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not too sure that Samsung would want the RIM business?

Yeah, if they didn't want Palm, I can't imagine them wanting RIM...

And it's rather laughable that anyone would want BBM specifically... If anyone buys RIM, it will be for their patents, nothing more.

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Grand Master

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Yeah, if they didn't want Palm, I can't imagine them wanting RIM...

And it's rather laughable that anyone would want BBM specifically... If anyone buys RIM, it will be for their patents, nothing more.

This ^

Samsung are defending a barrage of patent claims (most notably from Apple), it would make sense to pick up RIM's portfolio.

Not that I agree with the way patents are being used by Apple, Microsoft and others...

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matt4pack

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All of you would of said Apple was dead if asked 10 years ago. Apple was going through the same transition to OS X that RIM is going through now which takes a while to pay off.

The playbook software is coming along and is starting to get some prominent 3rd party support now. Cut the Rope, Angry Birds, and Gameloft just recently. Just need to release the 2.0 update soon and get their phones running it.

It would be sad if they were bought and their software was abandoned like Palm.

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User6060

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Why? It's all they have now.

and its NOT working is it?

they should have sold the app licenses when it was really popular and lots of cool people had blackberries.

all the phones could have had bbm 1st party apps with monthly/yearly subscriptions to carriers/consumer subs. that would bring in $$$ for RIM to keep their hardware/software fresh and hip where you could get bbm included free of charge.

now everyone and their moms are dumping blackberry for android and ios and they've switched to whatsapp and other crossplatform IMs. bbm isn't a drive anymore becuase most people's friends and people who still own blackberry chat on multiple messengers now

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