Waterloo roots for BlackBerry amid uncertainty

BlackBerry (NASDAQ:BBRY) is facing uncertain times, with the company conducting a strategic review that could result in the company's sale, among many other options. However, if there is one place in the world that remains decidedly pro-BlackBerry, it's in the Canadian company's home town of Waterloo, Ontario. As the Financial Times reports, many in the Waterloo area are rooting for BlackBerry's turnaround on the back of its BlackBerry 10 platform, and are fiercely proud of the company's heritage. Everyone knows someone who is connected to the company, which employs around 6,000 people in the region. Yet as the future remains uncertain and the company sheds jobs, many are also hopeful that the technology community that has sprung up around BlackBerry can absorb those losses. Article (sub. req.)

Meanwhile, analysts are continuing to debate over the value of BlackBerry, including its patents. According to AllThingsD, financial analysts peg the portfolio's value at between $2 billion and $5 billion. However, Pacific Crest analyst James Faucette thinks that the value of company's patent portfolio has declined over time as it has cross-licensed patents in the normal course of doing business. Further, the portfolio might not be worth as much because many of BlackBerry's patents are standards-essential wireless patents. Article