RIM Handset Business Has Potential Buyers

By

Recent events surrounding former phone-making titan, Research In Motion, the company behind the BlackBerry, have spawned some chatter. But a recent report suggests the handset line of Research In Motion may have at least a couple of potential buyers.

According to the report, both Facebook and Amazon are potential customers of RIM's handset business. Should such a deal go through, RIM would keep its enterprise services business while selling off the handsets.

The report itself, meanwhile, is being treated with some skepticism in its own right, as it cites no sources. Yet statements from RIM itself, including one from RIM representatives in a report to CNET, said that "RIM has hired advisers to help the company examine ways to leverage the BlackBerry platform through partnerships, licensing opportunities and strategic business model alternatives."

That's where the speculation is. It's already known that Facebook has at least some designs on a mobile phone brand of its own, so picking up RIM's patents and phones could be a good springboard for Facebook to finally make their own hardware.

With completed phone models in hand, they'd simply have to refine them to taste, which is much easier than building a phone from the ground up. Though the concept of a Facebook phone doesn't sit well with consumers, one with at least partial design by BlackBerry may change a few minds.

Amazon is a relative newcomer to this field, but considering its success with the Kindle and the Kindle Fire, a Kindle phone might be worth looking into. The Amazon content network has given them a substantial edge, as well as its lower entry point price-wise, so bringing a phone into the mix could be a smart move.

A phone with its own content network, however, may not appeal to some network providers.

Since RIM plans to announce its quarterly earnings on June 28, more information about this move may follow. Since there are so many possibilities, it will certainly warrant watching to see just what becomes of it all.


Want to learn more about today’s powerful mobile ecosystem? Then be sure to attend the
Mobility Tech Conference & Expo, collocated with ITEXPO West 2012 taking place Oct. 2-5 2012, in Austin, TX. Co-sponsored by TMC Partner Crossfire Media the Mobility Tech Conference & Expo provides unmatched networking opportunities and a robust conference program representing the mobile ecosystem. The conference not only brings together the best and brightest in the wireless industry, it actually spans the communications and technology industry. For more information on registering for the Mobility Tech Conference & Expo click here.

Stay in touch with everything happening at Mobility Tech Conference & Expo. Follow us on Twitter.




Edited by Braden Becker
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. [Free eNews Subscription]

Contributing TechZone360 Writer

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Related Articles

Tech Podcast Award Winners Bring Excitement and Enthusiasm to a Range of Important Tech Topics

By: TMCnet Staff    6/18/2025

Tech Podcast Award winners produce engaging, informative, and often entertaining content, bringing valuable insight from industry front lines to the e…

Read More

How Mobile Technology is Driving the Shift to Casino Apps

By: Contributing Writer    6/12/2025

Recent years have seen casino apps completely changing the online casino experience. Thanks to mobile-first technology, apps are becoming the default.…

Read More

Decentralized IT Management: Fad or Future?

By: Contributing Writer    6/5/2025

Managing IT feels like an ongoing balancing act for many businesses. Centralized systems often create bottlenecks, slow down teams, and frustrate empl…

Read More

IT Management as a Driver of ESG Initiatives

By: Contributing Writer    6/5/2025

Businesses today face growing pressure to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Customers demand greener practices. Investors lo…

Read More

Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Casinos

By: Contributing Writer    5/30/2025

We live in the age of technology and we have come to solve things on the go, whether we are talking about personal or job-related issues. We have come…

Read More