BlackBerry Ltd (BBRY) News: Exit Plans, Prem Watsa’s Bid & Apple Inc. (AAPL)

Editor’s Note: Related tickers: BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)

NSA ‘Can Tap iPhone, Android And BlackBerry Phones’ (TechWeekEurope)
The National Security Agency (NSA) can tap Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) smartphones using a variety of techniques, according to fresh leaks, believed to come from whistleblower Edward Snowden. The surveillance appears to be more targeted in nature, according to Der Spiegel. Other operations, like PRISM, appear to have involved blanket surveillance of people’s communications. In one case, experts said the NSA could access 38 iPhone features by first hacking the computer used to sync the device. Another document suggested GCHQ had helped crack BlackBerry encryption to get at SMS traffic.

BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)

Apple Store Waiting For BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s New Messenger (PRCarbon)
It was back in May this year when BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) announced it was going to offer its popular messaging service to Android and iOS users. While no dates were announced by the company, but rumor always stated that the two versions would be available for download before the end of the summer. Finally the news arrive that BlackBerry Ltd (BBRY) has hit another potential barrier. Alex Kinsella of BlackBerry said that it has submitted its BBM app to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) for addition in the iOS App Store. But the Apple Company has yet to approve it for release. This shows that the app could arrive anytime on the App Store, provided Apple approves it.

BlackBerry’s board looking to sell the company by November? (IntoMobile)
BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) is apparently looking for an exit with plans to sell the company by November. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the Canadian company’s board of directors wants to hold a fast auction, selling the whole company or parts of it by the end of the year. The WSJ cites anonymous sources claiming that BlackBerry has had preliminary talks with potential suitors, and it has whittled down its list in preparation for a sales process. Bert Nordberg, the former Sony Ericsson executive now a member of BlackBerry’s board, has said that BlackBerry should sell off pieces of itself and become a “niche” player.

Fairfax’s Watsa closing in on Blackberry purchase: report (LiveMint)
Fairfax Financial Holdings chairman Prem Watsa has billions of dollars in backing from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for a purchase of troubled smartphone maker BlackBerry, the Sunday Times reported, without saying where it got the information. “Other Canadian pension funds are also expected to back Watsa’s bid,” Times said, citing unamed banking sources. “Fairfax owns 10% stake in BlackBerry,” newspaper said.

BlackBerry looks for a buyer (CNBC)