Lenovo Looks at RIM For Acquisition
Chinese computer maker Lenovo is reportedly taking a long, hard look at acquiring Research In Motion (RIM), a Canadian handset and mobile software company. Lenovo, which is jockeying for position with Hewlett-Packard (HP) as the world's largest PC supplier, has already spoken with RIM about its interest in acquiring the company.
The two sides, along with RIM's bankers, have also talked about different combinations of strategic ventures, Lenovo CFO Wong Wai Ming said. A transaction of this size would require clearing a lot of red tape, particularly since RIM is Canada's largest listed technology company.
RIM is about to launch its much-anticipated BlackBerry 10 platform. The Canadian company has high hopes that its next generation operating system and new hardware devices will lift it back to relevancy in a mobile landscape that's not heavily dominated by Android and iOS.
Lenovo, meanwhile, continues to outpace the PC industry with strong growth every quarter. One of the challenges it would face in trying to acquire RIM, however, is in dealing with the potential loss of the U.S. government as a major client. The U.S. Defense Department and other agencies use BlackBerry devices because they're considered secure, and the idea of BlackBerry switching hands to a Chinese company brings with it national security concerns, analyst say.
The two sides, along with RIM's bankers, have also talked about different combinations of strategic ventures, Lenovo CFO Wong Wai Ming said. A transaction of this size would require clearing a lot of red tape, particularly since RIM is Canada's largest listed technology company.
RIM is about to launch its much-anticipated BlackBerry 10 platform. The Canadian company has high hopes that its next generation operating system and new hardware devices will lift it back to relevancy in a mobile landscape that's not heavily dominated by Android and iOS.
Lenovo, meanwhile, continues to outpace the PC industry with strong growth every quarter. One of the challenges it would face in trying to acquire RIM, however, is in dealing with the potential loss of the U.S. government as a major client. The U.S. Defense Department and other agencies use BlackBerry devices because they're considered secure, and the idea of BlackBerry switching hands to a Chinese company brings with it national security concerns, analyst say.
