BlackBerry checked out Facebook's interest in making bid: Wall Street Journal

BUSINESS

BlackBerry met with Facebook to talk about potential bid: report

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, October 30, 2013 8:17AM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, October 30, 2013 9:50AM EDT

Facebook BlackBerry deal details meeting

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that BlackBerry executives went to California last week to gauge Facebook's interest in making a bid for the company. The new BlackBerry Z30 is pictured above.

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TORONTO -- The Wall Street Journal is reporting that BlackBerry Ltd. executives went to California last week to gauge Facebook Inc.'s interest in making a bid for the struggling smartphone company.

The newspaper said BlackBerry (TSX:BB) and Facebook (Nasdaq:FB) declined to comment on the report, which the Journal says was based on unidentified sources familiar with the matter.

The story -- which provided no details about what happened as a result of the initiative -- speculates BlackBerry or its technology could be used to cater to Facebook's mobile users.

BlackBerry is publicly supporting a conditional takeover offer from Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Inc. (TSX:FFH), it's largest shareholder, but both sides have room to make changes.

There's speculation that Fairfax may amend aspects of its proposal or another potential buyer for BlackBerry could emerge.