Cisco's Acquisition Of BlackBerry: To Be Or Not To Be?

[Alysha Robinette]

BlackBerry (BBRY) recently announced that the company was exploring some strategic options to bail it out of its current moribund financial state. The strategic options include joint ventures where possible, partnerships, and outright sale of the company. Indeed, those who have been following the financial reports of BlackBerry since a few years ago knew this was coming. Shortly after the announcement, speculations were rife that some giant tech companies like Google (GOOG), Cisco (CSCO) and SAP (SAP) are warming up to either purchase BlackBerry in parts or outright or salvage its declining fortunes via possible joint venture agreements in line with the options laid bare by BlackBerry. While I wish BlackBerry well and hope that it doesn't come to an outright sale, I think the thought of a mutually beneficial relationship existing between either of Google, Cisco or SAP and Blackberry isn't a bad one.