Microsoft and Blackberry to be the Next Google and Motorola

First Motorola, Next BlackBerry. With Google's GOOG recent acquisition of Motorola Mobility MMI for $12.5 billion, is Research In Motion RIMM next up for auction? Mid-February, Research In Motion was trading just under $70 a share. Tuesday, the stock is down to $27 per share with slight increases due to Google's purchase. But with Societe Generale downgrading its RIMM position from "hold" to "sell," there may not be a better opportunity to buy the BlackBerry manufacturer. During the summer of 2009, BlackBerry controlled the smartphone world with a 21 percent market share. But with recent competition from Apple AAPL and Google's Android, BlackBerry now holds only 12 percent, or 13.3 million smartphones. With multiple new phones being released soon, including the Bold 9900 and 9930, a comeback could be within reach if the new OS 7 operating system is a success, especially with younger smartphone users. Sale Price Motorola sold for a 63 percent premium and two analysts believe that Research In Motion could go for more. Citigroup analyst Jim Suva estimates "a blended target price of $49 ($35 based on EV/Sales, $64 based on P/E)." RBC analyst Mike Abramsky "estimates $14.4 billion enterprise value for RIM or $33/share or 34 percent premium." Both estimates are well above the current stock price. Potential Buyers Steve Makris believes Microsoft MSFT could be in the running due to most BlackBerry users also using the Windows Platform. Abramsky believes other possible acquirers could be Hewlett-Packard HPQ, International Business Machines IBM, and Samsung. While Microsoft does have a partnership with Nokia NOK, purchasing Research In Motion would open the door to owning both the BlackBerry OS 7 operating system and seven newly released phones.