2 
RIM CEO Thorsten Heins has admitted that he is considering selling the company’s hardware division after the launch of new OS BlackBerry 10.
In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt, Heins openly voiced the possibility of selling off RIM’s hardware division—adding weight to last year’s rumours. From the interview (translation):
This strategic review is still running, even if the pressure… has decreased. We do not want to limit our options… There are several options, including the sale of the hardware production… But there is no reason for us to decide in hectic. It is important first of all, BlackBerry 10 successfully putting them on the market. Then we shall see.
It’s not the first time we’ve heard suggestion that RIM could ditch handsets—but it is the first time anyone from the company has voiced such thinking. Whether selling off the hardware section of the business and relying on software licenses is a viable business strategy will, of course, depend on the success of BlackBerry 10, but given RIM’s recent track record, anything might help. Let’s wait and see. [Die Welt via Reuters]
RIM Looking to License BB10 to Hardware Manufacturers
Rumour: RIM to Sell Handset Business
RIM: Our BBM Core Switch Failed. Then Our Back-Up Failed
Forgive my ignorance, but what do RIM do other than hardware?
they have their own os and run their own messaging/email service
He means what do they do WELL besides hardware
. Arguably, BES and BBM are industry leaders, but their OS is terrible. BB10 just looks like WebOS.
Am i right in thinking that the OS (as opposed to the hardware) was the major problem in their recent phones?
I wouldn’t know. Like Eddy said up there their email and messaging service has a very good reputation, but having never owned a BB device I can’t attest to the OS.
Great strategy – worked really well for Palm.
do it, sell up to Microsoft and save yourself!
LOL Then the terrorists will surely win!
Microsoft want to be a Mobile Hardware company
Nokia don’t want to sell themselves to Microsoft
Blackberry wants to sell it’s Mobile Hardware Division
everyone gets what they want
*Microsoft want to buy a Mobile Hardware company*
I think its time for RIM to get a new CEO. Things are amazingly bad for RIM at the moment and not being to control your hardware would end the company.
It will be hard to compete with just an OS, there are already too many. Corporates liked the all in one solution that RIM provided and if it becomes fragmented then they will lose support.
I would also be surprised if anyone would want to take over production of BB phones given their uncertain future. RIM may be happy to lose money trying to get back market share but I would think other manufactures wouldn’t.
I thought the current CEO was just picking up the pieces after the last one. It’s going to take a lot more than a change of CEO to save this one.