The Galaxy maker is said to be the “front runner” for a buyout of beleaguered smartphone rival BlackBerry.
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That’s according to BGR, who reports a “trusted source” has indicated the most likely next move for the former darling of the smartphone industry, BlackBerry, whose fortunes have gone deep south of late, as Android carriers including Samsung, HTC as well as iPhone 4 eat into its marketshare.
So, why would Sammy want to buy the Canadian giant? Two words. BlackBerry Messenger.
The popular (and free) service for BlackBerry’s allows users send messages to one another via the BB server, and would be “a smart way” for Samsung to differentiate itself in the (now) overcrowded Android market, according to the report.
And apparently, RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie is keen to go down the full sale, as opposed to company division, route and “is going hard after Samsung” although the flagged price of between $10-15bn is said to be classed as too high for the the Korean’s liking.
BlackBerry shares have taken a thumping of late and now lie at historic lows, although rose 7-10% following the takeover rumours to $17.25.
RIM’s supposed sale price of $10bn+ implies shares are worth anything between $22.90 and $28.60
And the stock price not the only thing floundering at BB – its marketshare hit its lowest point ever at just 11% globally (and only 10% in U.S.), according to a recent analysis by the IDC, due to “continued pressure.”
The same research saw Samsung thunder to the top spot in the smartphone industry, ahead of Apple and Nokia.
Samsung’s marketshare combined with BlackBerry’s and its BBM weapon could make for one hell of a company.
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