The recent plunge in Research in Motion's shares may help trigger a takeover by Microsoft, Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek says. The financial expert believes that Microsoft has a "standing offer" to buy out the BlackBerry maker at a value of $50 per share and may do so if RIM's recent share decline leaves it significantly below that mark. The company is said by researchers to be independent but potentially open to a deal if made under friendly terms.

Such a move would immediately alter the smartphone industry. While Windows Mobile is significant with about 18 million devices sold using the platform between mid-2007 and mid-2008, a Microsoft buyout of RIM would give it approximately 20 million BlackBerry users plus any additional growth in the future, giving the company a much larger stake in business phones than it has today. In the US, Microsoft is below the top five in the mainstream user space, which has lately been dominated by the iPhone and BlackBerries.

Online video leader YouTube has opened up its version of a home shopping network in its latest effort to wring more revenue from its massive audience and justify the $1.76 billion that Google Inc. paid for the site two years ago.

In the new service, unveiled Tuesday in the United States, there will be buttons under YouTube videos to offer viewers a chance to buy music, movies, TV shows, concert tickets and other products featured or mentioned in a particular clip.

When one of the links is clicked, the YouTube viewer is taken to another Web site like Amazon.com or iTunes that's selling a desired song or other product. YouTube will receive a commission for each completed sale.

said by Jeffrey :

I completely disagree with your beliefs, but I'll tell you what, it's nice to see someone has much passion about it as you apparently do. Good for you.

That is, of course, unless I missed the /sarcasm tags.

said by NY Tel :

I prefer this outlook on life:
"It's never easy And it's never clear Who's to navigate And who's to steer So you flounder drifting ever near the rocks"....

said by Jeffrey :

Well that ain't too hard to say, is it?

said by macaholic :

I personally hope everyone takes a break from politics this weekend... way too stressed out about the crazy election and economy wacking us too: this weekend should be out and about doing the things they do and ignoring the TV for a while...

said by Combat Chuck :

Shoulda been doing it 6 months ago when it might have mattered. At this point you're just going to do more harm than good, we stand precariously on the edge of a knife and our only hope of survival is that no one panics.

said by macaholic :

somehow, try to have some faith that we'll get through...

said by Combat Chuck :

we stand precariously on the edge of a knife and our only hope of survival is that no one panics.

said by Noah Vail :

I have an Anxiety Attack scheduled for next Thursday, with a Panicky Episode to follow the next morning. I plan to unwind that night with a little Light Paranoia followed by snacks and a fizzy beverage.

Scheduling really is everything.

NV

said by Combat Chuck :

The general populace isn't panicked, they're angry on principle but really they haven't been too terribly affected yet. They likely won't really feel the effects till people start getting laid off because their company can't get a short term loan and thus don't really have the ability to do anything. Places aren't going to go down in a blaze of glory, they're going to slow burn.

said by NY Tel :

Totally agree. I am going to drive out east and visit a few wineries. I think this is "Drink to forget weekend" out there.

said by GeekGirl1 :

OK, your turn to cover the east side of NY. I covered the west side of NY last week (Finger Lakes).

said by macaholic :

I personally hope everyone takes a break from politics this weekend... way too stressed out about the crazy election and economy wacking us too:

said by IndyDoug :

»www.speedmatters.org/blog/califo···-to.html

said by Austinloop :

Ross, I can understand how the government, by decree, can impose line sharing by CLEC's, and, possibly, how the government can order AT&T to allow Verizon in their area, and vise versa.

said by Austinloop :

However, how do you order a company to overbuild another company's facilities, which you are demanding by putting U-Verse and FIOS in direct competition. That requires a significant expenditure of money to do so, and is a really poor way to achieve competition. In this situation, I would foresee service levels dropping lower than they are now as the companies try to find funds to deal with a government fiat.

The expenses are numerous to properly maintain telco outside plant, especially those installations of "new" technology, such as VRAD's, RT's, etc.