MSFT buys RIM

The Standard — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:53:52 -0700

"With continued rumors of Microsoft possibly buying out Research In Motion, the company that makes BlackBerries, the company’s stock price has reached an all-time high of $85.

The talks between Microsoft and RIM may be heating up, and most are naming the success of the iPhone and the growing potential of smart phones as causes for Microsoft’s rumored anxiety towards a buyout. A combined effort of Microsoft and BlackBerry technology could provide quite an offering for a hand held, and improved security measures is a noted reason for Microsoft’s interest."

This is a prediction that MSFT will announce an agreement to buy RIM (defined as at least a majority share) by August 1, 2008. With the 3G iPhone due at least a month before, the M&A market for mobile devices will be heating up. Not to mention how RIM is more explicitly gunning for Apple these days. . .and MSFT has a $50 billion hole in its pocket.