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View Full Version : Facebook to buy BlackBerry?



wraggster
October 30th, 2013, 20:38
Rumours surrounding a Facebook phone reignited by the meeting, even though Zuckerberg denied any intention to build a device.
BlackBerry bosses took the trip over to California to meet with the Facebook fat-cats, to have a little chin wag over the possible purchase of the failing Canadian company, reports the Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304655104579165781081533064).
If there are actually any plans for the social network to manufacture their own device (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/facebook-phone-would-be-welcomed-by-31pc-of-emerging-market-consumers/021012), buying BlackBerry would cut out the middle man saving a lot of time and money.
However the biggest challenge would be raising the zomBlackBerry from the dead, and getting the trust from consumers aside from its most dedicated fans.
Mark Zuckerberg previously denied any intention to release a smartphone, saying it was the “wrong strategy.”
Instead it worked on its Facebook Home software (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/facebook-introduces-home-its-new-android-based-social-interface/021018), aiming to gain deeper partnerships with manufacturers. The software is a mobile-first social interface allowing users to access Facebook direct from a home screen and interact with contacts without leaving the app they are using.
Even if Facebook isn’t interested in releasing a device, there are other aspects of BlackBerry that could be deemed as tempting. Such as its patents, consisting of security-network technology and smartphone component patents. These alone are estimated at around $1 to $3 billion.
Plus the obvious renewed interest in its messenger tool BBM, which has 20 million iPhone and Android users, and 80 million total monthly active users. (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/bbm-for-iphone-android-hits-20m-active-users/022695)
The BlackBerry bidding war rages on, previously holding talks with Google, Cisco and SAP to combat the $4.7 billion offer from Fairfax. (http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/blackberry-bidding-war-continues-as-google-cisco-and-sap-get-involved/022511)
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/facebook-to-buy-blackberry/022705