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Microsoft Reportedly May Acquire BlackBerry

New submitter techtsp writes: Microsoft is just one one of many companies reportedly looking to get a bigger piece of the enterprise mobile market by buying BlackBerry. Reports claim that Chinese firms including Huawei, Lenovo and Xiaomi are also interested in picking up BlackBerry following the company's recent return to profitability. This report comes on the heels of BlackBerry announcing it is cutting jobs across its global business units in an attempt to consolidate its software, hardware and applications business.

11 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. This one will be easier by Stormwatch · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This one will be easier, Microsoft won't have to plant a trojan CEO to annihilate the company's market share first.

    1. Re: This one will be easier by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Nokia was selling more smartphones than Apple and Samsung put together when Elop came aboard.

    2. Re:This one will be easier by dmbasso · · Score: 5, Funny

      At least it might make for a nice slogan: Microsoft, where phone companies go to die!

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  2. Re:They should rebrand it by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    I like "Crashberry"

  3. Article is likely fake by billDCat · · Score: 4, Interesting

    From the author's bio: "He is having immense interest in psychology, human behavior and mind hacks."

    Given that as well as the bad grammar, I'm pretty sure this is made up to get a reaction.

  4. As big a success as the Kin by dpbsmith · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm sure this will be as big a success for Microsoft as their acquisition of Danger, Incorporated, developer of the Danger Hiptop/T-Mobile Sidekick, which led the innovative, exciting, youth-oriented Microsoft Kin. And the rest is history.

  5. King Midas in reverse by xeno · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm horrified, partly because I'm on the verge of buying a BB Passport. It's the best thing they've done in years, and since playing with SWMBO's (she bought one instead of a galaxy edge, after much comparison). The BB has a nice android implementation, simple hack to add the Google apps, better security and sandboxing of droid apps, and real keys with a touch surface that flows right onto the 1440x1440 touchscreen. Oh, and all that stuffy Blackberry stuff. It's a truly awesome piece of hardware. And now Redmond wants to gut 'em for their IP portfolio and security reputation?

    In the mobile market, Microsoft is like King Midas in reverse: everything they touch turns to shit.* But this isn't a rant about Microsoft, it's a worry that Blackberry -- having done the amazing job of pulling out of the total nosedive they were in -- might get stomped just as they level out, and ship something even better. What a disappointment that would be.

    *apologies to Tony Soprano

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    I think not...(*poof*)
  6. Re:Not going to happen. by ArmoredDragon · · Score: 4, Funny

    Either that or Microsoft is sick and tired of competing with blackberry for the ass end of the smartphone market, and hopes to grow from 2.3% market share to 3.3% again.

  7. Military Use by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 4, Informative

    Just a small note, the military is switching to the iPhone 6 from the BlackBerry. Most of the leadership at the very large DoD facility I work for turned in their BlackBerries a few months back for iPhones.

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  8. Re:NO GOD SPARE US!!! by the_B0fh · · Score: 5, Insightful

    People who don't understand how Microsoft has fucked over IT for the past few decades should really take the time to study some history.

  9. Re:Might as well by ArhcAngel · · Score: 4, Informative

    Microsoft just lost the Ford account to BlackBerry. I'm more inclined to think Microsoft sees the value in BlackBerry QNX in the IoT arena. BlackBerry is positioning itself to be the middleware glue for medical, auto, automation, and a host of other fields.

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K