FP says BlackBerry still not for sale, despite PR move 2014-08-19 08:49 ET - In the News
The Financial Post reports in its Tuesday edition BlackBerry has created an everything-but-handsets unit, separating its technology and intellectual property assets. The Post's Claire Brownell writes Sandeep Chennakeshu will lead the new BlackBerry Technology Solutions (BTS) unit, which includes BlackBerry's QNX operating system, its Internet of Things project, Certicom cryptography applications, antenna company Paratek and the company's portfolio of 44,000 patents. Carmi Levy, an independent tech analyst, said the move is part public relations and part business strategy. "All of that great stuff doesn't get any attention when everyone is focused on your crashing smart phone sales," Mr. Levy said. "The cynics out there will call it a PR move, but in reality, it's bringing focus to what's already there." Anything is possible, but Mr. Levy said he thinks BlackBerry will probably hold on to the BTS unit, even though the restructuring could make it attractive to a buyer. "BTS is going to be the fuel to BlackBerry's growth in the years to come. So if an acquisition or an asset sale is in the cards, I don't think it would happen any time soon," Mr. Levy said. BlackBerry closed Monday at $10.61, up 17 cents.
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