Editor’s Note: BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)
BlackBerry bidders eye parts of the company, shareholder explores private route (NDTV)
A handful of potential bidders, including private equity firms, are lining up to look at BlackBerry Ltd, but initial indications suggest that interest is tepid and buyers are eyeing parts of the Canadian smartphone maker rather than the whole company, several sources familiar with the situation said. Private equity firms are mostly interested in businesses such as BlackBerry’s operating system and the patents around its keyboard, two of the sources said. However, one possibility is for a Canadian pension fund to team up with an investor to buy the whole company, which is currently worth a little more than $5 billion, one of the sources said.
BlackBerry launches security software for iOS, Android phones (CBC.ca)
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has launched new software for iOS and Android phones that enables users to keep work-related communications and apps secure and separate from their personal data. Secure Work Space is aimed at BlackBerry’s corporate customers who want their employees to be able to use their personal smartphones and tablets at work regardless of what operating system they use and who need to use multiple devices with different platforms. Businesses that already have the BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 platform installed for their BlackBerry devices can now add iOS and Android phones to the secure network for a licence fee of $99 per year per device.
BlackBerry reportedly rolling out flagship Z30 smartphone in Asia next week (Tech2)
Smartphone manufacturer BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) may now be planning to roll out its flagship BlackBerry Z30 in Asia next week, according to Pocket-Lint. The launch of the new device next week, which is a 5-inch BB10 smartphone, will reportedly coincide with events that the company is planning to hold in France, Malaysia and India on September 18. The source claims that the Z30 will debut at Malaysia event, though the smartphone will likely make an appearance in the India and France-based events as well. BlackBerry has not confirmed this piece of news, though.
BlackBerry centre fined Rs 5,000 for misplacing handset (Indian Express)
Misplacing a cell phone given for repairs by a Mohali resident, has cost a local BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) service outlet Rs 5,000. Apart from the penalty, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed the Sector 17 service center to return the handset within a month along with the compensation amount, failing which they would have to refund the price of the handset. Arunjot Singh Sodhi, a Sector 70 resident, wanted to change the outer body of his BlackBerry 9780 and gave the same to the company’s expert center. He was assured his mobile would be returned on or before April 24. However, despite several visits, his handset was not returned and he was finally told it had been misplaced and would be returned as soon as it was found.
BlackBerry’s BBM Value Could Disappoint Investors Big Time (DailyFinance)
Everyone knows BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) is in dire need of a sugar daddy. However, the investing community remains sharply divided about just how much the struggling Canadian smartphone maker is actually worth. Analyst estimates vary to a nearly comical degree, ranging from $5 on the low end, to as high as $20. And, while the company’s true worth its obviously up for debate, most agree the company still has several truly valuable assets under its umbrella, one of which is its BBM messaging franchise. Many believe the BBM could, and should, be spun out as an independent company, as the mobile messaging space, in general, is still ripe for consolidation.
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