Microsoft has a secret weapon to take on Apple in the smartphone sector - buy someone who already does, and it appears BlackBerry manufacturer, Research In Motion (RIM), is in Ballmer's sights.
Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek points out that RIM shares are in decline and warns that Microsoft appears to have a "standing offer to buy them at $50 a share," he told Reuters.
Like Apple, RIM offers hardware, software and services and already plans to launch its own App Store. Microsoft is in a similar business, yet its Windows Mobile software, while widely used isn't particularly liked by handset owners.
With Apple and RIM clearly involved i
