Microsoft to acquire Research in Motion?
Like most tech and telecom companies, Research in Motion's shares have seriously dipped this year. But Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek says that could leave the company, known for the industry-leading BlackBerry, open for an
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acquisition by Microsoft, Electronista reported Friday. Misek said he believes there is a standing offer from Microsoft to buy RIM at about $50 per share, only about $9 less than the cost of those shares now.
Researchers say RIM is open to the deal if it is under friendly terms, according to the report. Such a deal would radically alter the smart phone industry, bringing the Windows Mobile operating system -- currently not popularly used -- to about 20 million BlackBerry devices worldwide. Neither company commented on the deal.
Falling stocks could lead to Yahoo sale
Yahoo's sinking stock price may put the company, famous for its CEO's desire to stay independent, on the block again, according to the Associated Press. The market implosion has driven Yahoo's value to a mere fraction of Microsoft's sweetened $47.5 billion offer -- that's $33 per share -- to buy Yahoo, the second largest Web search company after Google.
As of Friday's close, Yahoo shares were at $12.03. Of course, Microsoft stock has been hammered too -- Friday it was $21.48 per share. But even at that level, Microsoft's original stock-and-cash bid (which was $44.6 billion or $31 per share) would now be worth about $37 billion, or more than double Yahoo's current valuation, according to published reports.
Thin clients finally ready for takeoff
Thin clients are finally becoming a reality, as a number of major corporations are replacing PCs at the desktop with smart monitors that connect directly to the network, The New York Times reported yesterday. Major vendors, including Hewlett-Packard and Sun Microsystems, are increasing their investments in thin client technology, and a number of startups are gauging the market as well.
What's more, HP, Citrix and Microsoft are fine-tuning the software that controls communication between thin clients and servers -- and the rise of virtualization enables easier access to software and application bundles. Companies as large as JetBlue, as well as a number of government agencies, are currently deploying thin clients.
Microsoft security patches coming tomorrow
Microsoft will release 11 security patches tomorrow, including four critical fixes, according to SearchSecurity.com. The critical updates will address flaws in Internet Explorer, Active Directory, Excel and Host Integration Server, which leave systems vulnerable to remote code execution.
Check out Friday's IT channel news briefs.