RIM board considering two options - embrace Windows Phone, or open up its secure network to others

posted by Daniel P. / Jun 29, 2012, 3:24 AM

RIM board considering two options - embrace Windows Phone, or open up its secure network to others

Reuters today has an exclusive tip about the possibilities laid out before the embattled RIM's board of directors, and one of them is pretty interesting for the future of Windows Phone.

The first possibility is, naturally, opening up RIM's biggest asset - its secure email and BBM network - to others, and allowing them to use it with third party apps, or just pawning it off to the highest bidder.

The other, much more interesting option, comes straight from Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer, who has apparently been circling the wagons around the board in the last few months to form an alliance with Redmond, and embrace Windows Phone, just like he succeeded to do with Nokia via its former employee Stephen Elop.

Now a Windows Phone 8 with Nokia's manufacturing prowess, and RIM's unrivaled network security would be a match made in heaven for Microsoft and its bread-and-butter enterprise/government clients, but that would mean RIM losing independence, which for the Canadians might be a bitter pill to swallow, says the source.

In return for getting a stake in RIM, Microsoft will be the one giving money for R&D, and ponying up for the marketing of the new devices, if the alliance scenario is the one that the board rubberstamps.

source: Reuters

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35 Comments

1. RangersK

Posts: 68; Member since: May 15, 2012

To be or not to be, that is the question.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 3:42 AM 1

4. babyk

Posts: 379; Member since: Nov 03, 2011

lol u are so right lol

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 4:05 AM 0

26. frmrVZguy

Posts: 42; Member since: Mar 10, 2012

Proper gravitas there RangersK! The moment of truth....and since BBM is nothing if not for its security, and since the Army/USDOD has now released and embraced standards for Android use (see Motorola Attrix) let's talk 256 bit encryption and last minute hardware mods to SG3. Did Sammy just add 256-bit capability based on the very recent DOD standards release? Not all silicon is created equal and it would be interesting to know if the added 1Gig was to establish secure standards AND processing power. I'm very confident that Heins knows Blackberry's greatest weakness has been its hardware development, not its software development, wittness the departure of its top hardware sales executives. Now, which platform can bring the best hardware? Looks like the green guys and Samsung are ahead with the PROOF that the board of directors needs. But I have no doubt NOKIA can bring the rain also.....fun times ahead!!

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 11:17 AM 0

2. CharlieAtInfinity

Posts: 253; Member since: Apr 10, 2012

NO!! WP is for Nokia or Samsung.. will never buy WP from BlackBerry!! Especially for the crap specs they put on every phone then sell at premium price Better idea is make BBM available on Android!!

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 3:53 AM 8

14. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

Obviously they were to make Windows Phones they'd have to meet the same minimum hardware specs as everyone else. Consult a proctologist about that ingrown head problem you seem to have. The real question is what sort of form factors RIM would be able to make with WP, though the BB10 prototypes seem fit enough for the task

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 8:01 AM 3

19. tegradragon

Posts: 68; Member since: May 23, 2012

Yeah! They should make it available on other OSs and kinda put a monthly fee on it. That way they'll earn some much needed cash!

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 9:13 AM 2

3. bobfreking55

Posts: 866; Member since: Jul 15, 2011

Hahaha. I remember when Nokia and BB ruled the phone industry --- now they will both use WP. Not sure if it's bad or good. It's up to you now, Microsoft.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 3:58 AM 6

10. aaronkatrini

Posts: 242; Member since: Jun 06, 2012

A moment of silence for our commrade fallen in war, BB. I personally think that BB went just like Nokia. They wanted to stay with thier platform, just like Nokia with Symbian. Well there's nothing wrong with those Os's, but the fact is -the market wants- people need new "cool" stuff. Thats why Sam is in the first spot right now because they bring always the innoviation, just like Apple did with their iPhone and also Htc (not mentioning others.). So, all they need to do is go with the market. Don't do like Nokia did, that now can only sell WP phones. Go like Samm, make Android, WP, BB10, and see who sells better, than decide. Simple as that. bye

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 5:57 AM 6

27. Sangeet

Posts: 232; Member since: Apr 21, 2012

Awesome thoughts..!!

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 12:35 PM 0

5. shy2papa

Posts: 336; Member since: Jan 23, 2010

Puting BB on an os that is still unproven and the market share is not even close to iOS or android okay goodluck RIM, why not licence BBM to all iOS, Android and WP7 make more money from all

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 4:18 AM 6

23. cdgoin

Posts: 614; Member since: Jul 28, 2010

They need cash.. and help with R&D. That means they have to pick a dance partner Apple - Help ruin them (B*tchy Cheerleader) Google - OS too fragmented to keep security tight (School Sl*t) MS - Enclosed Dev team, that like them has a grudge to settle with Apple. and BOTH Old windows CE/WM6 and BBM are used by business and enterprise types.. (The Wallflower) MS looks like the best dance partner even if she is currently a wallflower. Otherwise they open BBM to becoming unsecured and losing its value.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 9:26 AM 3

6. darktranquillity

Posts: 285; Member since: Feb 28, 2012

Symphony of destruction

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 4:35 AM 2

7. fsnas

Posts: 122; Member since: Jun 18, 2012

just imagine the options you'll get when you want to buy a WP if that was true. Steve Ballmer knows what he's doing!. and it's the right step from his side.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 4:49 AM 2

8. Jay2ice

Posts: 13; Member since: Jun 15, 2012

This deal goes through then windows phone is the bomb.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 5:08 AM 2

9. Glim12808

Posts: 394; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

"The other, much more interesting option, comes straight from Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer" - this statement is inaccurate because the source said MS declined to make a comment and in fact the source states the leak comes from a RIM insider. Further, the source also said partnering with MS is unpalatable with RIM's board and that they would rather wait for BB10 to launch in early 2013 and take it from there. Much as I love WP and would love RIM to get onboard, this is nothing but rumor at this stage.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 5:54 AM 1

11. _PHug_

Posts: 482; Member since: Oct 11, 2011

Wait, so am I supposed to believe that taking 3 crap products and combining them will result in one awesome product? HA!

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 6:57 AM 0

22. cdgoin

Posts: 614; Member since: Jul 28, 2010

Got to love iPhone fanboys.. OH wait no I dont

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 9:23 AM 0

28. -RVM-

Posts: 331; Member since: Oct 19, 2011

U mean iPhone, iOS and iTunes ?

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 12:47 PM 0

12. snowgator

Posts: 3621; Member since: Jan 19, 2011

What scares me for RIM (and yea, it is their fault. Doesn't mean it is fun to watch them slide) is we here NOTHING from developers or carriers about BB10 devices. Nada. Zero. No excitement. No buzz. It is like they are in a bubble, and the only news about them comes from "unknown insiders" that could be anything from red herrings to disgruntled employees. After the report of them splitting into two divisions, and being up for sale a couple times I am not sure I am inclined to believe this. I do believe Microsoft is selling itself, though. Just not sure RIM would buy until they get their BB10 devices out and see how they perform. I also hope they license out their services. Great security and BBM across platforms? That could put all kinds of money into their ever-shrinking bank account.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 7:15 AM 0

13. lubba

Posts: 1313; Member since: Jan 17, 2011

WP I believe would be the better option. They both have what enterprises both use and need.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 7:33 AM 3

15. mercorp

Posts: 1045; Member since: Jan 28, 2012

Maybe they need both android and WP,to play it safe.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 8:30 AM 2

16. imran_khan0786

Posts: 61; Member since: Jun 21, 2012

Make phone like that nokia+pureview+wp8+bbmassenger=AWESOME MOBILE, THAN RULED ON THE WORLD

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 8:32 AM 1

24. SleepingOz unregistered

Cool story bro!

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 10:29 AM 0

17. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

Wp?! Someone carpet bomb rim headquarters right now,its all over for them!!!

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 8:38 AM 1

18. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

RIM joining with MS would be a huuuuge victory for MS. That said I dont know if its the best move for RIM. Undoubtedly joining either W8 or Android camps would boost their sales a bit, but joining the android camp would probably be much better for them in the long run. They already have their BB10 software able to run Android apps, so its not like they are that far apart. An android device with corporate RIM style security would be a huge hit in the business world if paired with great battery life. I have a feeling Google might be talking to RIM in the background just like MS. I also wouldnt be surprised if Apple was talking to them as well. RIM's security suite is a big win for whoever gets it.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 9:07 AM 2

21. cdgoin

Posts: 614; Member since: Jul 28, 2010

They couldn't "join" Android.. development and kernel is all over the place. If they want to loose everything and just be an "APP" then sure. But BBM is now thier bread and butter, and the biggest part of it is the security it provides. So WP8 is the only solution other than Apple. Unless of course as I mentioned, they make it an APP, and then they have to figure out how to do that and keep its security within the Android ecosystem. With limited resources.. Unless they got into bed with Google themselves and included BBM into 4.2 or something like that.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 9:22 AM 0

33. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

not true at all. they can change the android kernel and integrate it much like Moto did initially with Blur, which wasnt just a skinned android, it was fundamentally changed from its base building blocks. There are a dozen ways to make sure that RIMs tech stays secure on an android. If there wasn't, NO manufacturer would use android with proprietary code. They've also already been working with android code since they have android app compatibility with BB10. MS isnt the only option. Hell, they could go with Tinzen if they wanted to (id laugh, but they could). Going to MS would be best for MS. Honestly, I think it would be best if they would licence it out to multiple partners instead of just picking one like Nokia did.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 9:32 PM 0

20. cdgoin

Posts: 614; Member since: Jul 28, 2010

Funny I just said the SAME thing yesterday :) best way to Beat Apple and stay within a closed development ecosystem.. Win - Win Any maybe I get a WindowsPhone8 replacement for my Dell Venue Pro !!!!

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 9:16 AM 0

25. satydesh

Posts: 71; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

if bb wants paternership like nokia then they have to contribute to platform then they have to give their bread and butter to platform that is bbm like nokia have given maps and drive.I still belive that nokia knows all tricks in navigation they get cream out of platform and put into lumia series!!!

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 10:44 AM 0

29. cornerofthemoon

Posts: 620; Member since: Apr 20, 2010

My guess is that BB is too spooked by Nokia's current woes to commit to Windows Phone. However, contrary to public opinion, the Lumia line is selling quite well, just not enough to offset Nokia's purge of Symbian.

posted on Jun 29, 2012, 3:30 PM 0

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