Since the introduction of its first BlackBerry more than a decade ago, Research in Motion has defied expectations that it would be swallowed by a larger rival and has effectively created the market for smartphones.
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| BlackBerry Maker RIM |
But as Google moves to buy Mobility Motorola, RIM, already under pressure, and reduced the prospects for market share, is again the talk of acquisition.
Since the acquisition of Motorola was announced on Monday, shares of RIM, who have suffered for much of the year increased more than 10 percent, largely on speculation of a sale.
"For years, the market capitalization of RIM prohibits any form of takeover," said Adam Leach, an analyst with London-based Ovum. "I'm certainly not writing them now, but they have a difficult job."
Tenille Kennedy, spokesman for RIM, said the company had "no comment on rumors and speculation."
Motorola deal, which it is possible to shake up the mobile industry has hit a difficult time for RIM.
After pioneering wireless e-mail, RIM has slowly ceded control to Apple's iPhone and handsets running on the Android operating system from Google. The current range of BlackBerry based on technology that dates back to early models of smartphones.
RIM has moved the technology tree. In 2010, the company acquired QNX Software Systems in Ottawa and amazing Tribe, a Swedish-user interface design, to create the BlackBerry platform.
But the results have been disappointing so far. BlackBerry Playbook received a low this spring because it lacked important elements such as a built-in e-mail program. Last week, Sprint abandoned its plans to offer a future model of tablet computer that would have connected to the carrier.
RIM has been slow to introduce new Blackberry phones based on the QNX software, either. The models will be available until later next year and the company offers no other details.
But RIM has a lot to offer fans. Despite the reduction of financial forecasts, the company remains strong profitability. During the most recent quarter, reported net profit of 695 million phone maker, against $ 769 million for the quarter a year ago.
BlackBerry is still a valuable brand, despite its declining market share.
It is the device of choice for enterprise customers in key industries such as financial services and enforcement, which depends on the unique features of the BlackBerry to protect their e-mail. Security comes from RIM exclusive global network, a system that is difficult to copy, and also create recurring revenue for the company.
While analysts have speculated in the past that Microsoft might be interested in BlackBerry, which seems less likely, given the acquisition of Motorola, said Al Hilwa, an analyst at IDC, in Seattle. While some manufacturers of phones using Google's Android to move the Windows Mobile 7, Microsoft's mobile technology, and a perpetual license of the pile can become a serious competitor. In this case, an agreement would be less necessary for BlackBerry.
"Microsoft is the part that is the best to win this," said Leach.
The buyer is more likely, Hilwa said, would be a big software company, as Google sees wireless as an important element in future growth.
Alternatively, a cash-rich Chinese mobile phone manufacturer ZTE and Huawei see RIM as a way to expand beyond generic, low-cost phones.
Another option, if more distant, the prospect of one of the best known Asian manufacturers like Samsung and HTC to buy RIM to distinguish its goods and competition from Android Windows phone.
An agreement for RIM, however, faces significant barriers.
For one, co-CEO of RIM, Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis, principal shareholders of the company. Neither seems interested in losing control. And they will not be returning from a battle that the leaders have shown in a patent battle many years ago that the company ultimately lost.
The Canadian government, which must approve all were reluctant to sign the agreement with the companies it sees as strategic assets. Last year, regulators blocked the purchase of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, BHP Billiton, an Australian mining company. Politicians and commentators have described the successful acquisition of RIM economic doomsday in Canada.
But while a recovery seemed unthinkable in previous discussions, the prospects for an agreement with RIM may be less distant in the current environment.
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