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Facebook 'may look to buy RIM's handset business'
 

Facebook 'may look to buy RIM's handset business'

Social networking site Facebook has been suggested as one of the potential bidders for Research in Motion's (RIM's) handset business, should the company look to sell off the division.

It has been recently suggested that this is a serious option for the struggling smartphone maker, after it posted losses of $2.8 billion (£1.8 billion) for the first quarter of 2012.

David Akka, UK managing director for MagicSoftware.com, suggested Facebook is likely to be highly interested in acquiring the business if RIM chooses to do this, while Amazon and Microsoft were suggested as other potential bidders.

He noted Facebook has been struggling to monetise the mobile market, so he said it makes "a lot of sense" for the firm to look towards handsets and base its next Facebook Phone in RIM's technology.

"The notifications and [the fact that] you're always online with RIM has a lot to do with the whole Facebook concept. It will be a very good, very strong synergy between the two companies," Mr Akka said.

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