The Chinese PC vendor could use BlackBerry as a way to expand its global brand in smartphones. October 17, 2013 11:59 AM PDT BlackBerry's Z10 smartphone. (Credit: Josh Miller/CNET) Another day, another turn of the BlackBerry rumor mill. The latest comes from The Wall Street Journal, which flashed a news alert that Chinese PC maker Lenovo is considering the acquisition of embattled smartphone maker BlackBerry. Related stories BlackBerry shows flicker of life: KPMG buys 3,500 smartphones Madonna banned by movie theater for alleged movie texting BlackBerry to customers: 'You can continue to count on us' BlackBerry founder hikes stake in company, weighs takeover BlackBerry reportedly open to breakup to pull off sale Lenovo is said to have signed a non-disclosure agreement to look at BlackBerry's books. BlackBerry, which recently abandoned its attempts to cater to the consumer market for smartphones and focus solely on business, has been actively looking for a buyer. CNET contacted BlackBerry for comment, and we'll update the story when it responds. Lenovo declined to comment. Lenovo has long been rumored to be a buyer, and indeed, its own CEO, Yang Yuanqing, said in March that he would be interested in a deal, but would have to look closely at the market. Lenovo makes its own line of smartphones, but has largely been successful in China. BlackBerry would give Lenovo a global brand and connections with every carrier around the world. Lenovo, of course, has had success taking over foreign country's marquee company and incorporating it as its own. Lenovo acquired IBM's computer business in 2005, and the laptops are now sold under the Lenovo brand. Like IBM, BlackBerry is a business-centric brand that Lenovo could pair with its PCs. It's unclear whether a deal with Lenovo would clear regulators in Canada or US, as BlackBerry does business with sensitive parts of both governments. While Lenovo doesn't have the negative stigma that a Huawei has, it has been tougher to clear international deals that involve Chinese companies. BlackBerry, meanwhile, does have an offer by FairFax Financial on the table, but there have been increasing concerns that the fund doesn't have the financial backing necessary to pull of a deal to take it private.
The Chinese PC vendor could use BlackBerry as a way to expand its global brand in smartphones.
BlackBerry's Z10 smartphone.
(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)
Another day, another turn of the BlackBerry rumor mill.
The latest comes from The Wall Street Journal, which flashed a news alert that Chinese PC maker Lenovo is considering the acquisition of embattled smartphone maker BlackBerry.
Related stories
- BlackBerry shows flicker of life: KPMG buys 3,500 smartphones
- Madonna banned by movie theater for alleged movie texting
- BlackBerry to customers: 'You can continue to count on us'
- BlackBerry founder hikes stake in company, weighs takeover
- BlackBerry reportedly open to breakup to pull off sale
Lenovo is said to have signed a non-disclosure agreement to look at BlackBerry's books.
BlackBerry, which recently abandoned its attempts to cater to the consumer market for smartphones and focus solely on business, has been actively looking for a buyer.
CNET contacted BlackBerry for comment, and we'll update the story when it responds. Lenovo declined to comment.
Lenovo has long been rumored to be a buyer, and indeed, its own CEO, Yang Yuanqing, said in March that he would be interested in a deal, but would have to look closely at the market.
Lenovo makes its own line of smartphones, but has largely been successful in China. BlackBerry would give Lenovo a global brand and connections with every carrier around the world.
Lenovo, of course, has had success taking over foreign country's marquee company and incorporating it as its own. Lenovo acquired IBM's computer business in 2005, and the laptops are now sold under the Lenovo brand. Like IBM, BlackBerry is a business-centric brand that Lenovo could pair with its PCs.
It's unclear whether a deal with Lenovo would clear regulators in Canada or US, as BlackBerry does business with sensitive parts of both governments. While Lenovo doesn't have the negative stigma that a Huawei has, it has been tougher to clear international deals that involve Chinese companies.
BlackBerry, meanwhile, does have an offer by FairFax Financial on the table, but there have been increasing concerns that the fund doesn't have the financial backing necessary to pull of a deal to take it private.
