RIM shares rise amid Microsoft takeover talk

Renewed speculation over software giant possibly buying BlackBerry maker follows reports that Google could be working on a mobile-phone operating system.

The story "RIM shares rise amid Microsoft takeover talk" published August 30, 2007 at 12:43 PM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[rcrusoe]

This could be a good move for MS

as long as they don't try to replace the Blackberry OS with Windows.

[fred dunn]

I Agree...

I think it would be better for MS than RIM but if offered a high enough price I'm sure the stockholders will go for it.
I also agree with you about not replacing the BB OS although we both know at some point in the future the two will merge (BB + Windows Mobile) but I think it could be a killer as long as they still support Java apps as well as the Mobile API based apps.
At the very least we will see a BB client for Mobile 6 and beyond. Managing a BES server I think that is a good thing since we have not yet implemented OMA so the BB handhelds can and are remotely managed while the Mobile5 Handhelds currently are not and that is troublesome.

[dotmike]

Windows Mobile may have reached a dead end

I have a WM5 based phone which I was going to sell on eBay
when I got my iPhone (now my main phone) but ended up
keeping it phone because there are one or two 3rd party WM
programs which I still like to have available if I need them.

(And the fact that the resell value of WM phones has crashed.)

I'd looked at WM6 but it's basically a service pack for WM5.

I've looked at the HTC Touch - a WM6 phone with a touchscreen
and attempt at gesture interface, and it's somewhat laughable
compared to the real thing, just touch actions cobbled onto the
aging WM metaphor.

I could be wrong but I get the feeling that Windows Mobile has
stagnated. There's nowhere left for it to go without a radical
overhall, which would probably break compatibility with existing
programs and APIs. WM7 may have something interesting, but I
doubt it.

Blackberry on the other hand, seems to have a bright future.
Although the iPhone *may* gain enterprise/business savvy (it's
savvy enough for me, but you know corporate IT drones), it's the
Blackberry which is really going places in this world.

[fred dunn]

I think Windows Mobile Still has a Long Life

Especially since MS has released .net development tools for Windows Mobile.
I don't sell it short and I think Mobile 6 is going to better than 5.
At least with Windows Mobile and Exchange Outlook Mobile Access you have management capabilities over the handhelds, the same can't be said for the iPhone.

[sergiobevi]

Blackberry is good...but it's no iPhone

Blackberry has a bright future... but to say that it's much better
than WM has no standing whatsoever. They are basically the
same. The key to the berry is that it does ONE thing well,
integrate your email to your phone. But let's not kid ourselves.
There is no innovation here AT ALL. Mind you, I love how good
Blackberrys do what they are supposed to do: email. HOWEVER,
have you tried to use their internet browser??? AWFUL.
Compared to the iPhone, both fall flat on their faces. There is
just no comparison. I just hope that Apple increases memory
capacity and lowers price and BAM! it takes the whole market by
a landslide!

[jeremyblaze]

not fair to compare

Its like saying that a Lotus is faster than a Bentley. The iPhone seems fun to play with, is a bit of a novelty, but its not enterprise-ready. And BBs are great for answering emails and getting some attachments, and especially because of the array of 3rd party apps, but they were never originally designed to be a multimedia phone.
That said, RIM has a long way to go to turn its outdated platform into a true consumer must have. Changes are happening though, and there are 2 major advantages RIM has: Installed base of dedicated users and a network of engineers within the carriers. Remember TMO, Verizon, Att, Sprint, and all the others have engineers on staff working with RIM, and all of them, 'cept ATT, want the iPhone to fail. Talk about motivation.

[fred dunn]

Not True...

You either have an older BB handheld or don't have the Mobile Data Service turned on.
The newer handhelds browsers look excellent, ie: like the Pearl's browser in cooperation with the Blackberry Enterprise Server's Mobile Data Service. During a bout of extreme weather I was watching the NOAA weather radar on a Pearl and it looked awesome.

[easy-v]

iPhone doesn't belong in this conversation

The BB and WM phones can send MMS messages, have better data capabilities, can be remotely managed, and the cherry on top is push email.
The iPhone doesn't belong in this conversation, as it is not a player in this space, it is merely smoke and mirrors.

[Sumatra-Bosch]

Duh, Annudda Smaht Buy Like Akwantiv ! Duh !

Wow, it's been almost four months without Microsoft blowing billions on a company with a clouded future and no obvious complimentary technology other than they have stuff Microsoft can careless integrate into Live (whatever that is) or Windows (the latest version of which people are avoiding like a burning tire).

The Aquantive deal was distinguished by its brainless destruction of money. Let's see if Disco Steve Ballmer can repeat or exceed that benchmark with RIM.

[fred dunn]

RIM is far from having a "Clouded Future"...

They are adding customers faster than ever and their stock price has gone up and up. RIM is a good company with a solid enterprise product.
What MS may want to get out of this is the enterprise backing that RIM has with the BlackBerry hanhelds and their BlackBerry Enterprise Server which is rock solid.
BB users love their devices, why? Because they can count on them (reliable).

[The_Decider]

MS-Always the follower

Is there anything they don't do in response to what others are doing?

Maybe Google should float rumors that they are going to close up shop. MS would likely rush to shut down its business just to beat Google.