According to a Reuters report, Research in Motion (RIM), you know - the maker of BlackBerry devices, shares rose more than 3 percent on Thursday on renewed market speculation that Microsoft Corp could be interested in buying the BlackBerry maker.
According to speculation, Microsoft might be interested in RIM in response to Google's recent announcement that it is interested in making its own mobile phone operating system, which would compete with Windows Mobile.

"Microsoft has been mentioned as a possible buyer," said Frederic Ruffy, an analyst at options education firm Optionetics in California.

RIM shares were up 3.35 percent at US$ 84.59 in midday trading after posting a new high of US$ 85. Some option traders appeared to be betting that the stock's strength could continue.

"I've seen the rumors on RIM and there has been interest in the front-month calls, which allow investors to buy RIM shares at US$ 80 all the way to US$ 93.375 a piece," said Rebecca Engmann Darst, an equity options analyst at Interactive Brokes Group in Connecticut.

A rumor is a rumor is a rumor and I don't see the value for Microsoft at all. Compared to RIM's BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile is much stronger and flexible and if one thing is clear, then it's the fact that Google will be definitely addressing the consumer and prosumer, not the corporate market RIM addresses with the BlackBerry.
Also I don't see any value for the Exchange product group if Microsoft takes over RIM since the latest Exchange versions (2003 with the push E-Mail feature pack and Exchange 2007) can do nearly everything RIM offers as well.

Cheers ~ Arne