RIM: Buy Me, Samsung!
Buy me. Somebody, please, buy me!
This is what RIM is crying out behind the scenes, according to a new report by BGR. RIM is not only trying to license its software to other vendors but is also pushing to sell part or all of the company. And while previous leaks suggested Amazon almost bought RIM in the summer, apparently Samsung is at the forefront of this latest campaign to save the crumbling Waterloo company, says a "trusted source with knowledge of the situation."
We have heard that Jim Balsillie is actively meeting with almost every company that might be interested in either a part or all of RIM, in addition to having talks about licensing. “Jim is going hard after Samsung,” said a source with knowledge of the negotiations. One of the reasons no deal has been struck, however, is that RIM’s co-CEOs are asking for way too much.
We have heard the company is looking for more than $10 billion for a full sale, likely somewhere in the $12 billion to $15 billion range, or between approximately $22.90 and $28.60 per share. RIM’s market capitalization currently sits at about $8.5 billion, though several analysts think that even $8.5 billion is more than an interested party would consider bidding at the moment.
As expected, neither RIM nor Samsung are commenting on the speculation. In other news, RIM may be planning a 4G, 10-inch PlayBook and a souped-up 3G, 7-inch PlayBook this year.
