The news of Microsoft swooping up Nokia’s Devices & Services division for $7.2 billion ripped through the web last night. Many analysts were quick to assume that BlackBerry – who’s also seeking a sale or partnership – has lost its place in the mobile space and a potential buyer.
However, a report in Bloomberg just might keep the rumours going. According to unknown people ‘familiar with the matter,’ Microsoft “is keeping an eye on BlackBerry” and that the main reason for possibly considering acquiring the Waterloo-based company is for its strong presence in the enterprise market.
A month ago BlackBerry announced that they organized a special committee to “explore strategic alternatives” that could include “possible joint ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances, a sale of the Company or other possible transactions.”
BlackBerry and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 OS have been battling for 3rd place in the mobile phone OS war for the past several year. Leading the way is Google’s Android OS and Apple’s iOS. BlackBerry has over 69 million BlackBerry subscribers and over 60 million BBM (BlackBerry Messenger) subscribers.
[source] Bloomberg [/source]
