[bbjdog]

Reading material.

BlackBerry Signs Third Major Smartphone Licensing Deal to Reach Additional 1.5 Billion Potential Smartphone Users | Inside BlackBerry

[Corbu]

PR:
BlackBerry Announces its Next Major Mobile Software Licensing Agreement with Optiemus in India

[_dimi_]

"On January 19, 2017, Avaya Inc. filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In its petition, Avaya listed $5.5 billion in assets and $6.3 billion in debts."

I wonder how this affects BlackBerry's lawsuit.. and if the lawsuit affected Avaya's options.



Posted via CB10

[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

"On January 19, 2017, Avaya Inc. filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In its petition, Avaya listed $5.5 billion in assets and $6.3 billion in debts."

I wonder how this affects BlackBerry's lawsuit.. and if the lawsuit affected Avaya's options.

I'm sure BlackBerry wants Avaya, and anyone that might be interested in buy those assists (if things come down to selling off assets) to understand that they will be dealing with them.

But Avaya has been in trouble for a long time now, revenues have fallen off quite a bit based on some filings they made for their failed IPO. There probably isn't much juice left in that turnip.

[Christophe Piquemal]

I do not know Zacks Investment Research... they gave a strong buy to BBRY (forgive me if it's not important please)

https://sportsperspectives.com/2017/...-research.html

[Corbu]

FWIW:
https://www.bnn.ca/blackberry-inks-h...iemus-1.665563
BlackBerry inks hardware licensing deal with India's Optiemus

The company did not provide financial terms of the deal, but one analyst estimates that BlackBerry is collecting US$1 per handset from around 7 million third-party sales a quarter.

"Visibility to the success of its partners to drive new and upgrade sales remains limited," Wells Fargo analyst Maynard Um wrote in a note to clients, adding that existing deals have not driven hardware sales.

[KuroKei]

FWIW:
https://www.bnn.ca/blackberry-inks-h...iemus-1.665563
BlackBerry inks hardware licensing deal with India's Optiemus

If that's true, then it is not a lot but it will be pure margin. If the third party are able to generate buzz from these newer generation handsets, whether through impressive specs/designs or through attractive pricing, BlackBerry will benefit from a positive uplift in their image in the eyes of the public. Also, BB will still have their "hardware" and use it part of their product offering to their security-focused customers.

[W Hoa]

We live in strange times....I mean, The Street?

With India Deal, BlackBerry Looks to Build Its Comeback Momentum


It looks like BlackBerry ( BBRY) may be headed for a comeback in 2017, a result of a bold strategy to reinvent itself.

Just four months after the company announced that it would switch its focus to software and cybersecurity by outsourcing its once-popular cellphone brand, BlackBerry has fulfilled that goal and will be able to push harder on other initiatives.

On Monday, the company announced that it had inked a licensing deal with Indian telecom firm Optiemus.....

With this deal, BlackBerry now covers the world with its licensing agreements. In recent months, the company has signed similar agreements with PT BB Merah Putih in Indonesia and TCL, a China-based, multinational electronics company.

Blackberry can potentially now focus on the exciting potential of the software field.

https://www.thestreet.com/story/1399...HOO&yptr=yahoo

[_dimi_]

I wonder how much of this high margin will flow directly to Microsoft... since they earn more in royalties from Android than even Alphabet does?

Posted via CB10

[Dunt Dunt Dunt]

I wonder how much of this high margin will flow directly to Microsoft... since they earn more in royalties from Android than even Alphabet does?

Posted via CB10

Yeah Google makes their money on the ads, not the software.

Last I saw, Microsoft was still getting about $2 Billion on licensing of their IP to Android manufactures like Samsung, HTC and Motorola. Problem for them now is all these small local OEM in India, Indonesia and especially China... they typically take a very loose approach toward licensing American intellectual property, and as those inexpensive phones take over the world, Microsoft doesn't benefit as much. Optiemus and PT BB Merah Putih probably aren't planning on paying MS anything, and their sales probably won't be enough to attract MS attention. But if TCL plans to enter the US market in any big way.... they'll have to plan on paying those fees. The question will be, if the cost of business in the US means they have to pay the fees on ALL Android devices they sell.

[_dimi_]

I think MOBL is reporting earnings after market close.

Posted via CB10

[world traveler and former ceo]

I think MOBL is reporting earnings after market close.

Posted via CB10

They seem to increasingly benefit from Apple's growing market share in the US..... only explanation I can think of....

Posted via CB10

[_dimi_]

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/07/andre...839&yptr=yahoo

Posted via CB10

[W Hoa]

BlackBerry Introduces the Most Secure Cloud-Based Communications Platform for Developers

WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb 7, 2017) - BlackBerry Limited (BBRY)(BB.TO) entered the Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) market today with the introduction of its BBM Enterprise SDK (software development kit) that will enable developers to integrate secure messaging, voice and video capabilities into applications and services. Available worldwide this month, the BBM Enterprise SDK allows BlackBerry to be competitive with other cloud communications platforms by presenting enterprises and developers APIs to enhance overall business processes.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/blackb...200000741.html

[W Hoa]

BlackBerry Goes After Twilio With Messaging App Developer Kit

by Gerrit De Vynck
February 7, 2017, 12:00 PM PST

The Waterloo, Ontario-based company said the software development kit it’s releasing this month will include tools for building chat apps, video and voice calling, secure file sharing and sending out push notifications to mobile phones. BlackBerry joins a crew of companies already offering similar services including Twilio Inc., Bandwidth.com Inc., Nexmo Inc. and Plivo.

The key differentiator for BlackBerry though, will be its reputation for security, Chief Operating Officer Marty Beard said on a call. “We don’t think current providers are meeting the needs of the enterprise,” he said. “The market needs this.”

The move is a textbook example of Chief Executive Officer John Chen’s strategy of taking the company’s existing technology and finding new ways to monetize it.

Beard declined to comment on how much revenue the company was expecting to generate from this initiative, but said it would “add to growth.” It will be sold on a subscription basis to app developers and internet service providers.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...ine&yptr=yahoo

[Corbu]

Enable Developers to Make Corporate Instant Messaging Secure with the BBM Enterprise SDK | Inside BlackBerry

[Corbu]

Benj Gallander discusses BlackBerry - Video - BNN

[_dimi_]

MobileIron results are out. Not bad.. they're cash flow positive.

Financial Outlook

The company is providing the following outlook for its first quarter 2017 (ending March 31, 2017):

GAAP revenue is expected to be between $41 million and $43 million, which represents growth of 8% to 13% year-over-year.

Gross billings are expected to be between $44 million and $46 million, growth between 16% and 21% over last year.

Non-GAAP gross margin is expected to be between 81% and 83%.

Non-GAAP operating expenses are expected to be between $41 million and $43 million

The company is providing the following outlook for 2017 (ending December 31, 2017)

GAAP revenue is expected to be between $175 million and $190 million, growth between 7% and 16% year-over-year.

Gross billings are expected to be between $195 million and $210 million, growth between 7% and 15% over last year.

Exit the year (fourth quarter) with a non-GAAP operating margin between -2% to 2%.

Generate positive cash from operations for the full year 2017.

http://www.conferencecalltranscripts...ry/?id=3454313

Posted via CB10

[Corbu]

The SDK news got a bit of play...
BlackBerry Launches New Communications Platform for Software Developers - CIO Journal. - WSJ

BlackBerry steps into a competitive market, notable for rival Twilio's June IPO

BlackBerry Ltd. said Tuesday that it will launch a platform that will enable software developers to embed secure messaging, video, file-sharing, voice calls and other communications tools into applications and services. The ability to communicate with customers who are engaged with a company’s digital platforms, without sending them to an external channel such as a phone, is increasingly important to businesses.

“The need for this is intensifying,” BlackBerry Chief Operating Officer Marty Beard said on a conference call with reporters. BlackBerry is stepping into a competitive market, notable for the June IPO of Twilio, a rival that Mr. Beard mentioned during the call. BlackBerry will seek to distinguish itself by meeting the highest levels of security, according to Mr. Beard. “Offers today don’t provide the level of security and encryption which we provide. There is a need for this capability,” he said, citing BlackBerry compliance with the federal standard known as FIPS 140-2, which establishes security requirements for cryptographic modules.

BlackBerry was a pioneer in the development of the smartphone, and its phones with physical keyboards and scroll wheels were nearly ubiquitous in industries such as finance and law. The smartphone market was soon dominated by Apple Inc., Google, Samsung Electronics Co. and others. Under CEO John Chen, Waterloo, Ontario-based BlackBerry has been moving away from the device and hardware business and focusing on software, particularly in the area of security.

“We firmly believe that the move to a software business model will be positive for revenue growth going forward, sustainable profitability and overall shareholder value,” Mr. Chen said in December. In the previous fiscal year, the company surpassed its goal of $500 million in software and services sales. In a recent interview, Mr. Chen reaffirmed that the company expects revenue in that segment to grow 30% in the current fiscal year,” the Journal reported in December. The company has upgraded its security platform and delved into the growing software market for autonomous vehicles.

The new communications platform, known as the BBM Enterprise Software Development Kit, is scheduled to be released this month. Mr. Beard said the new effort would contribute to growth, but declined to be more specific.

[Corbu]

BlackBerry to sell BBM platform to software, app developers | Financial Post

[W Hoa]

BlackBerry to turn BBM secure-messaging system into subscription service

Mr. Beard positioned the IP-based system as superior to similar services offered by competitors such as Twilio – which booked $257-million (U.S.) in revenue for 2016 – that rely at least in part on SMS. He also thinks BlackBerry’s pricing model will be better received than the usage-based models some competitors employ.
“There can be some sticker shock associated with that,” he said, adding that there will be tiers of the service available – one for messaging only, and another that includes encrypted voice and video.

BlackBerry to turn BBM secure-messaging system into subscription service - The Globe and Mail

Twilio – which booked $257-million (U.S.) in revenue for 2016 and is currently valued at approx $2.7 billion.

[app_Developer]

The BBM enterprise SDK is fantastic news. I've been looking at a startup or two in this space myself. Definitely a major need today in regulated businesses , who would appreciate buying this capability from an established player. If priced correctly, this could do very well.

[Corbu]

Morgan Stanley

February 8, 2017

James E. Faucette

MobileIron

On To The Next Target

Price target : $4.50

After surpassing 2016 objectives, management now expects to achieve operating breakeven exiting 2017. Continued sales execution, particularly with new products, could make us incrementally positive.

Execution paving the path to operating breakeven. MobileIron positively preannounced Q4 results in early January,and Tuesday's earnings call provided insight into the company's continued sales execution at both new and existing customers,as well as strong performance internationally. Management also cited early traction with the new Cloud Access and Windows 10 products. Given our caution on the market for independent mobile security vendors, we are most encouraged by the prospect for incremental share in enterprise budgets with adjacent solutions. Continued sales execution puts the company on track to achieve breakeven operating margins exiting 2017.

Raising estimates accordingly. We raise our 1Q17 and FY17 rev. / EPS estimates to $42.3mm / ($0.09) and $181.9mm / ($0.23) from $41.2mm / ($0.09) and $174.7mm / ($0.29) respectively. Our changes reflect a faster ramp to breakeven as management plans to gain operating leverage with its existing sales force and through continued expense management.

Raising PT to $4.50, remain EW. We roll forward our valuation to 2018 and our new $4.50 PT is 1.6x EV/ FY18 revenue. Our new valuation is in-line with software peers on a revenue growth basis, but includes some optionality as investors anticipate increased strategic activity under the new US administration. Absent optionality we would deem a discount to software peers appropriate given our continued caution on the outlook for independent EMM vendors and expectations that operating losses will continue for the foreseeable future. We would become more positive on the stock should management demonstrate a faster ramp to profitability despite challenging market dynamics.

[Superfly_FR]

I LIKE THE BBM SDK news !
I like the dark hub !

SW ... Now sell, sell, sell !

Cheers from Oman, where the whole family's having a break!

[Corbu]

BlackBerry is trying a new way to make money from Messenger