Following last week’s announcement that Research in Motion (RIM) would begin layoffs, the struggling smartphone maker is reportedly considering selling its Blackberry hardware business as it continues to explore ways to help it recover.
Last month, RIM reportedly said that it hired JP Morgan and RBC Capital to look at strategic options for the company. RIM is now considering a split in the business — separating the struggling handset manufacturing division from its messaging network.
From Reuters:
RIM, which last month said it had hired JP Morgan and RBC Capital to look at its strategic options, could break off its handset division into a separate listed company or sell it, the British newspaper reported without citing sources.
Among the companies identified as potential buyers of the handset business are Facebook and Amazon, although it’s not clear whether RIM is actively in talks with either of the companies at this point.
Another option in helping RIM recover would be to sell a stake of the company to a larger technology firm such as Microsoft, which would allow the company to keep both hardware and software business together.
Source: Reuters via BGR
Image Credit: MobileSyrup
