BlackBerry patents could be worth 5 billion dollars for a single buyer

With prospects a possible sale, BlackBerry has as assets of greater value its portfolio of patents, according to analysts. The failure of the Canadian company to pull business business mobile phone made its approximately 9,000 patents good more interesting on the table, while its leaders will review its future options.

According to Chris Marlett, CEO of MDB Capital Group, one of the reasons that give value to its patent for the sector is that they represent "the last great available portfolio [for the wireless]", said AllThingsD.

Microsoft, Google, Apple and Samsung among potential buyers

He believes that this asset of 9,000 patents about has a value of 2 for $ 3 billion, if it is purchased by a consortium, and could be worth up to 5 billion if it is bought by a single purchaser, under the pressure of a bidding battle. Potential buyers include Microsoft, Google, Apple and Samsung.

Some of these patents have been acquired by BlackBerry as a member of a consortium that bought 6,000 patents to Nortel during its bankruptcy filing.

According to Reuters, the purchase of other assets of BlackBerry beyond its patents could be problematic because of the difficulties of its mobile business, which could cost around $ 2 billion.

On the other side, despite its drastically reduced market share, BlackBerry is still a firm grip on the market through BlackBerry Enterprise Server and high global visibility, which, according to Marlett, could make the interesting company for a buyer like Microsoft.

"Someone like Microsoft could find correct to pay 4-5 billion dollars for the business, and 4 to 5 billion for intellectual property, which would set a purchase price to $ 8 to $ 10 billion," said Chris Marlett at AllThingsD.

New Gsm

Ready to get BlackBerry for sale

Business: The Board of Directors of BlackBerry announced have formed a Committee to explore "strategic alternatives" such as joint ventures, partnerships or even the sale of the company.

The Board of Directors of BlackBerry announced Monday that it has formed an Ad Hoc Committee that could lead to the sale of the business. The news was aired just after the stock is suspended on the Nasdaq in New York.

According to the release of the company, the Committee will have the task "to explore strategic alternatives to increase the value and scalability to accelerate the deployment of 10 BlackBerry". "These alternatives may include, among other things, the possible ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances, a sale of the company or other transactions possible."

A capitalization divided by 17

P - DG Thorsten Heins said that the company will continue to focus on "the reduction of costs, looking for efficiency and acceleration of BES 10 [its platform management of e-mails] as well as to work to adopt smartphones BlackBerry 10".

Last week, Reuters reported that the Canadian firm would reflect to an output of the stock exchange. Its market capitalization fell to $ 4.8 billion, while it peaked at 84 billion in 2008.

New Gsm

The future of BlackBerry? Five possible scenarios

Long uncontested leader of smartphones for business, and well also in the sector of the smartphone for consumers, BlackBerry has since experienced a slump: in the five biggest European markets (Great Britain, France, Spain, Italy and Germany), BlackBerry is now 2.2% market share.

Corporate manufacturer has been undermined by the growth of culture BYOD ("bring your own material") - hence an influx iPhones and devices Android - while attempting to emerge on the market of the shelves with the PlayBook has hardly had any success.

BlackBerry announced yesterday that its Board of Directors has formed a Committee "to explore strategic alternatives", which "may include, among other things, the possible ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances, a sale of the company or other possible transactions". Declaring that he is not sure "that this exploratory process lead to any transaction whatsoever".

So what are the possible futures for BlackBerry now?

The company placed emphasis in its press release yesterday on his desire to accelerate the deployment of its mobile operating system BlackBerry 10, and for this she could dismiss him to other phones manufacturers, in order to regain a critical mass. After all, despite the initial skepticism, BlackBerry 10 received largely positive feedback, and is generally considered to be well designed and secure.

However this route has hardly been successful in the past for the company. BlackBerry already envisaged a time to dismiss its proprietary OS without too showing: last year hired JP Morgan and RBC Capital Markets to assist in a strategic study of ways to deploy the platform BlackBerry via partnerships or opportunities of licence. And even if BlackBerry 10 is a solid OS, there are many alternatives known - Android in particular - available for device manufacturers, as well as the long teeth, like Windows Phone, Tizen and Ubuntu Touch.

If the company has touted its OS in the past without interest, it is unlikely that it collects now, while its market share is still lower.

Return to the private sector, in itself, will not solve the problems of BlackBerry, but this can give him oxygen she needs.

The attempt being Michael Dell removed Dell from the stock exchange suddenly handed to fashion the idea that high-tech companies return to the private sector. The advantage is that it allows owners to take decisions long term difficult but necessary to rehabilitate the company without having Wall Street window to comment on each movement.

BlackBerry has reserves of cash and is much smaller than Dell, so that the return to firm capital is a realistic option, if there is a firm's equity interested. But it leaves open the question of the strategic options that would adopt BlackBerry, even if it becomes a non-listed company. In this option, the investment fund that would buy the company – and the direction that he would choose for her - will determine if it can return to a healthier, or be sold for nothing.

BlackBerry has been in relation to number of potential buyers in recent years, Lenovo at Amazon through Samsung and Microsoft. Some might be still interested, but others might also be tempted: same Dell or HP for example.

No acquirer seems however obvious these days. Many hardware manufacturers withdrew from the mobile sector in recent times, and for those who want to come back or even go there for the first time, there are ways to cheaper and easier to do.

Another option may be to dismantle the company, selling its various components of value - thousands of BlackBerry patents in mobile could be extremely interesting for Google or Apple, for example. Could even split the hardware and software of the company branches, and the focus on the development of its activity of mobile terminals (MDM) and enterprise management software - a field which will always be the future, its flow or flavourful.

There are however at least an analyst who believes in little. Maynard Um, of Wells Fargo Securities, wrote in a note to study: "by considering the sale of assets, we believe that BBRY would have the greatest value in whole although there may be of relevance for the different parts of the company - the OS for the automotive or smartphones market, infrastructure for security, intellectual property, the base of subscribers of the company"", and others."

As says the release of yesterday, "it is not certain"that this exploratory process lead to any transaction whatsoever".

It is possible that after having considered all options, BlackBerry decided to continue his only way. She always has a strong brand, a reasonable base of client companies and some appealing technologies - a lightweight BlackBerry might find its place in the mobile ecosystem.

But as observed by our colleague Larry Dignan, it will be difficult for BlackBerry say that it conducts its business as usual throughout this process, and its customers as its teams will be worried and in limbo. Faster the uncertainty will be lifted - if it is thrown-, the better it will be.

Note: this article was originally published on ZDNet.com, where you can find it in the original version.

New Gsm

Blackberry à l'assaut de l'entrée de gamme avec un OS obsolète ?

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
Business : Le fabricant canadien lancerait à la fin de l'année le 9720, un terminal animé par le déjà très ancien OS 7 mais facturé moins de 350 dollars.

Changement stratégique chez BlackBerry ? Alors que le fabricant semblait concentrer tous ses efforts sur sa nouvelle plate-forme (BB 10) associée à de nouveaux smartphones (Z10, Q10...), un nouveau terminal animé par l'ancien OS du canadien pourrait être lancé à la fin de l'année.

Ce smartphone, le 9710, dont les images se multiplient sur la toile, serait motorisé par OS 7, un système d'exploitation aujourd'hui dépassé mais qui permettrait à BlackBerry d'adresser l'entrée de gamme avec un ticket d'entrée sous les 350 dollars nu.

A ce prix, il ne faudra évidemment pas s'attendre à des spécifications d'avion de chasse, on évoque ainsi une résolution d'écran de 480 x 320 pixels.

 

Le choix d'OS 7 peut néanmoins étonner. D'un côté, le fabricant a cruellement besoin de générer des volumes avec une part de marché qui continue à baisser (sortie du Top 5 selon IDC, 1% de parts de marché aux Etats-Unis contre 4% il y a un an, selon Kantar) et BB10 exige des spécifications qui font monter l'addition du terminal.

De l'autre, proposer dans un catalogue deux expériences très différentes après avoir affirmé vouloir faire table rase du passé (BB10 et OS 7 n'ont absolument rien à voir) apporte de la confusion, notamment auprès du client final. Pas sûr donc que cette stratégie soit la plus pertinente.

Voir aussi notre page
Chiffres clés : les ventes de mobiles et de smartphones

New Gsm

Output the BlackBerry 9720: the Canadian does not give its OS 7

Technology: BlackBerry launches a new smartphone with touchscreen and physical keyboard of version 7.1 of its BlackBerry OS operating system. This entry-level model will be available in Europe in the coming weeks.

Although supplanted by the latest BB10 based on QNX, BlackBerry OS 7 is not dead. And the Canadian firm relaunch even with an update and a new smartphone, the BlackBerry 9720.

This is an entry-level model with a touch screen 2.8-inch and a physical keyboard in portrait format. 512 MB of storage can be increased up to 32 GB with an external memory card type microSD. Side picture, we find, a sensor rear 5 megapixel. The battery life is given for 7 hours in conversation. The operating system has the 7.1 update which adds some functions such as the ability to take pictures from the lock screen.

BlackBerry 9720 will be marketed in five colors in the coming weeks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Its price has not yet been disclosed. (Eureka press)

 

See also our page
Key figures: sales of mobile and smartphones

New Gsm

The future of BlackBerry? Five possible scenarios

Long uncontested leader of smartphones for business, and well also in the sector of the smartphone for consumers, BlackBerry has since experienced a slump: in the five biggest European markets (Great Britain, France, Spain, Italy and Germany), BlackBerry is now 2.2% market share.

Corporate manufacturer has been undermined by the growth of culture BYOD ("bring your own material") - hence an influx iPhones and devices Android - while attempting to emerge on the market of the shelves with the PlayBook has hardly had any success.

BlackBerry announced yesterday that its Board of Directors has formed a Committee "to explore strategic alternatives", which "may include, among other things, the possible ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances, a sale of the company or other possible transactions". Declaring that he is not sure "that this exploratory process lead to any transaction whatsoever".

So what are the possible futures for BlackBerry now?

The company placed emphasis in its press release yesterday on his desire to accelerate the deployment of its mobile operating system BlackBerry 10, and for this she could dismiss him to other phones manufacturers, in order to regain a critical mass. After all, despite the initial skepticism, BlackBerry 10 received largely positive feedback, and is generally considered to be well designed and secure.

However this route has hardly been successful in the past for the company. BlackBerry already envisaged a time to dismiss its proprietary OS without too showing: last year hired JP Morgan and RBC Capital Markets to assist in a strategic study of ways to deploy the platform BlackBerry via partnerships or opportunities of licence. And even if BlackBerry 10 is a solid OS, there are many alternatives known - Android in particular - available for device manufacturers, as well as the long teeth, like Windows Phone, Tizen and Ubuntu Touch.

If the company has touted its OS in the past without interest, it is unlikely that it collects now, while its market share is still lower.

Return to the private sector, in itself, will not solve the problems of BlackBerry, but this can give him oxygen she needs.

The attempt being Michael Dell removed Dell from the stock exchange suddenly handed to fashion the idea that high-tech companies return to the private sector. The advantage is that it allows owners to take decisions long term difficult but necessary to rehabilitate the company without having Wall Street window to comment on each movement.

BlackBerry has reserves of cash and is much smaller than Dell, so that the return to firm capital is a realistic option, if there is a firm's equity interested. But it leaves open the question of the strategic options that would adopt BlackBerry, even if it becomes a non-listed company. In this option, the investment fund that would buy the company – and the direction that he would choose for her - will determine if it can return to a healthier, or be sold for nothing.

BlackBerry has been in relation to number of potential buyers in recent years, Lenovo at Amazon through Samsung and Microsoft. Some might be still interested, but others might also be tempted: same Dell or HP for example.

No acquirer seems however obvious these days. Many hardware manufacturers withdrew from the mobile sector in recent times, and for those who want to come back or even go there for the first time, there are ways to cheaper and easier to do.

Another option may be to dismantle the company, selling its various components of value - thousands of BlackBerry patents in mobile could be extremely interesting for Google or Apple, for example. Could even split the hardware and software of the company branches, and the focus on the development of its activity of mobile terminals (MDM) and enterprise management software - a field which will always be the future, its flow or flavourful.

There are however at least an analyst who believes in little. Maynard Um, of Wells Fargo Securities, wrote in a note to study: "by considering the sale of assets, we believe that BBRY would have the greatest value in whole although there may be of relevance for the different parts of the company - the OS for the automotive or smartphones market, infrastructure for security, intellectual property, the base of subscribers of the company"", and others."

As says the release of yesterday, "it is not certain"that this exploratory process lead to any transaction whatsoever".

It is possible that after having considered all options, BlackBerry decided to continue his only way. She always has a strong brand, a reasonable base of client companies and some appealing technologies - a lightweight BlackBerry might find its place in the mobile ecosystem.

But as observed by our colleague Larry Dignan, it will be difficult for BlackBerry say that it conducts its business as usual throughout this process, and its customers as its teams will be worried and in limbo. Faster the uncertainty will be lifted - if it is thrown-, the better it will be.

Note: this article was originally published on ZDNet.com, where you can find it in the original version.

Output the BlackBerry 9720: the Canadian does not give its OS 7

Technology: BlackBerry launches a new smartphone with touchscreen and physical keyboard of version 7.1 of its BlackBerry OS operating system. This entry-level model will be available in Europe in the coming weeks.

Although supplanted by the latest BB10 based on QNX, BlackBerry OS 7 is not dead. And the Canadian firm relaunch even with an update and a new smartphone, the BlackBerry 9720.

This is an entry-level model with a touch screen 2.8-inch and a physical keyboard in portrait format. 512 MB of storage can be increased up to 32 GB with an external memory card type microSD. Side picture, we find, a sensor rear 5 megapixel. The battery life is given for 7 hours in conversation. The operating system has the 7.1 update which adds some functions such as the ability to take pictures from the lock screen.

BlackBerry 9720 will be marketed in five colors in the coming weeks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Its price has not yet been disclosed. (Eureka press)

 

See also our page
Key figures: sales of mobile and smartphones

BlackBerry patents could be worth 5 billion dollars for a single buyer

With prospects a possible sale, BlackBerry has as assets of greater value its portfolio of patents, according to analysts. The failure of the Canadian company to pull business business mobile phone made its approximately 9,000 patents good more interesting on the table, while its leaders will review its future options.

According to Chris Marlett, CEO of MDB Capital Group, one of the reasons that give value to its patent for the sector is that they represent "the last great available portfolio [for the wireless]", said AllThingsD.

Microsoft, Google, Apple and Samsung among potential buyers

He believes that this asset of 9,000 patents about has a value of 2 for $ 3 billion, if it is purchased by a consortium, and could be worth up to 5 billion if it is bought by a single purchaser, under the pressure of a bidding battle. Potential buyers include Microsoft, Google, Apple and Samsung.

Some of these patents have been acquired by BlackBerry as a member of a consortium that bought 6,000 patents to Nortel during its bankruptcy filing.

According to Reuters, the purchase of other assets of BlackBerry beyond its patents could be problematic because of the difficulties of its mobile business, which could cost around $ 2 billion.

On the other side, despite its drastically reduced market share, BlackBerry is still a firm grip on the market through BlackBerry Enterprise Server and high global visibility, which, according to Marlett, could make the interesting company for a buyer like Microsoft.

"Someone like Microsoft could find correct to pay 4-5 billion dollars for the business, and 4 to 5 billion for intellectual property, which would set a purchase price to $ 8 to $ 10 billion," said Chris Marlett at AllThingsD.

Ready to get BlackBerry for sale

Business: The Board of Directors of BlackBerry announced have formed a Committee to explore "strategic alternatives" such as joint ventures, partnerships or even the sale of the company.

The Board of Directors of BlackBerry announced Monday that it has formed an Ad Hoc Committee that could lead to the sale of the business. The news was aired just after the stock is suspended on the Nasdaq in New York.

According to the release of the company, the Committee will have the task "to explore strategic alternatives to increase the value and scalability to accelerate the deployment of 10 BlackBerry". "These alternatives may include, among other things, the possible ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances, a sale of the company or other transactions possible."

A capitalization divided by 17

P - DG Thorsten Heins said that the company will continue to focus on "the reduction of costs, looking for efficiency and acceleration of BES 10 [its platform management of e-mails] as well as to work to adopt smartphones BlackBerry 10".

Last week, Reuters reported that the Canadian firm would reflect to an output of the stock exchange. Its market capitalization fell to $ 4.8 billion, while it peaked at 84 billion in 2008.

BlackBerry to the onslaught of the entry-level with an outdated OS?

Business: The Canadian manufacturer would launch at the end of the year the 9720, a terminal hosted by the already very old OS 7 but charged less than 350 dollars.

Strategic change in BlackBerry? While the manufacturer seemed to focus all its efforts on its new platform (BB 10) associated with new smartphones (Z10, Q10...), a new terminal hosted by former Canadian bone could be launched at the end of the year.

This smartphone, 9710, whose images multiply on the canvas would be powered by 7 OS, an operating system now obsolete but which would allow BlackBerry to send the entry with an entry under the $ 350 ticket nu.

At this price, it will obviously not expect fighter specifications, we thus evokes a screen resolution of 480 x 320 pixels.

 

The choice of OS 7 may nevertheless surprising. On one side, the manufacturer has sorely need to generate volumes with a market share of which continues to decline (out of the Top 5 according to IDC, 1% of market share in the United States compared to 4% a year ago, according to Kantar) and BB10 requires specifications that are cast on the addition of the terminal.

On the other, two very different experiences offer in a catalogue after stating you want to sweep past (BB10 and 7 OS have absolutely nothing to see) brings confusion, among others, the final customer. Not sure therefore that this strategy is the most relevant.

See also our page
Key figures: sales of mobile and smartphones

BlackBerry: the next A10 unveiled in video

The BlackBerry situation is still delicate and the manufacturer knows he must offer a range of terminals BB10 to emerge. Objective seems to apply methodically.

After the Z10, Q10 and the Q5, the manufacturer would be in its cartons an A10 which will stand at the top of the range. All touch (like the Z10), however, it will be larger than its predecessor with a 5 inch instead of 4.2-inch screen.

A video revealing the terminal since a few days on the Web and confirm these first features.

If the first Blackberry models were rather well received by critics, the manufacturer has however sorely need for volume growth. Recall q' in the first quarter, the manufacturer sold 6.8 million smartphones, an increase of 13% from the previous quarter.

Still it is 1 million less than in the first quarter of 2012 and more than 6 million less than in the first quarter of 2011... 40% of these shipments were BlackBerry 10. Analysts were expecting shipments of about three million of these new phones.

Sling-shareholders

Suddenly, the Group has plunged back into the red with a net loss of $ 84 million, versus a loss of 518 million over the same period of the previous fiscal year.

At the annual meeting of shareholders, Thorsten Heins, p - dg has the calm the sling acknowledging some errors for the launch of the Z10 to the United States while refuting the accusations of failure in this strategic market. The boss reiterated that BlackBerry is still "only at the beginning of her transition".

However, according to the Wall Street Journal, Richard Piasentin, Vice President of sales in the United States was sacked (which was confirmed by the Group) and the quotdien says a new social plan would be in preparation.

It should be remembered that 5000 deletions of posts have already been recorded. The 'middle management' positions would be affected. See also our page
Key figures: sales of mobile and smartphones

BlackBerry Q10: keyboard and email at the top, disappointment on the side of the autonomy

Test: After the all touch Z10 Blackberry Unveils Q10, a smartphone that revives the iconic QWERTY keyboard of the smartphones of the constructor. The Blackbery 10 platform is still honored. The multimedia Toolbox eyeing on the public at large, without forgetting the professional users. Enough?

A comfortable QWERTY keyboard
Q10 abandoned the unique touch screen of the Z10 to propose the duo touchscreen 3.1 inches (720 x 720 pixels) and full QWERTY keyboard. The keys are arranged on four lines. If at first glance, they seem a bit small use they are comfortable. Slightly bevelled, they allow quick entry, even if you have big fingers.

The predictive system is very well thought and more typing, plus the system remembers the words that you use. Even a misspelled word is correctly recognized by the terminal. A spell checker is on the programme to avoid truffer emails of faults. You have all the signs of punctuation. Accents are accessible via a long press on the desired button.

Special mention to the Instant Action function that allows to type a word corresponding to a feature from the home menu. So by writing the word photo and typing Enter, the lens is automatically started. You can also directly access Blackberry Messenger typing BBM followed of the name of a contact. Also on the agenda of the Instant Action function: drafting mails, notes, twitts or statutes Facebook.

Finally, note that the search solution to generate a search in the phone or on the Web, just starting to type the first letters of your query. Ideal to find a mail or lost contact.

Windows Phone a ravi la 3e place à BlackBerry

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Les réalités du Cloud évoluent chaque jour, accédez gratuitement aux derniers articles, livres blancs, vidéos, etc... Rejoignez la communauté des experts !

Windows Phone has delighted the 3rd place to BlackBerry

The realities of the Cloud evolve every day, you have free access to the latest articles, books white, videos, etc... Join the experts community!

BlackBerry: a new smartphone 'Q5' and Blackberry OS 10.1

Business: After the offensive on touch with the Z10, after the tradition with the Q10, Blackberry introduced today at an event Q5, full keyboard designed for emerging markets unit.

New device to full Qwerty keyboard side Blackberry: the Q5 is not a successor to the latest Q10, but a version of entry-level destined for emerging markets. Exit strategy Bold / Curve, so, since we should see that Q10 to keyboard and the full-touch Z10 in Europe and the United States.

 

The Q5, unveiled at an event covered by ZDNet.com, will be immediately available in Blackberry 10.1, new version of the system being deployed. It will be available in some countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

BlackBerry deployment 10.1

The date of planned marketing is the month of July. The appliance is equipped with a 3.1-inch touchscreen, full keyboard and will be marketed in red, black, pink or white. The rest of the specifications is not known at present, but do not expect to of very high-end, Blackberry clearly to tight budgets.

However, it seems that Blackberry strategy is not to split the world in two, emerging markets against countries supposedly able to afford a Z10 or a Q10. The manufacturer launched its Z10 in several countries in strong growth, as the India recently.

In addition, Blackberry at the same time announced the start of the deployment of version 10.1 of its mobile operating system for owners of Z10. According to the manufacturer, several new features are embedded:

The addition of messages "PIN to PIN" to the Blackberry Hub - which groups all messages and is therefore add these messages directly from a Blackberry to another.Improved management of attachments in Blackberry Hub.Une increased personalization of notifications according to the contacts or accounts (LED, buzzer, ringtone).
New options for the camera.An improvement of the selection cursor function.
Subject: BlackBerry 10 Smartphone