- Security infrastructure
BB's infrastructure is based on an outdated security model. it was fine back in the early 2000s when no other "smart"phone (referring to the old heavyweights: PalmOS, Symbian, Windows CE... none of which are relevant today) supported any security features, and your "smart"phone was pretty much an open book to anyone who cared to get information from it.
Now, modern smartphones support the same security platforms that desktops do: IPSec/OpenVPN, TLS, Microsoft EAP, AES-256. And they are more nimble and flexible (and often less expensive) than setting up extra hardware to support Blackberry's outdated BIS offering.
And with Samsung's Android devices getting FIPS certification and iOS pending the same, It's pretty much been proven that you no longer need a Blackberry to be ultrasecure.
Also, consider that this same, "supersecure" infrastructure of Blackberry's has
government-
poked holes that turn it into
swiss cheese.
And,
let's not forget the outages. People complain enough when iMessage goes down. Imagine not being able to do ANYTHING? No web, no twitter, no e-mail.
So, Apple doesn't need them for that.
Many of which are already bailing for other platforms, including iOS, and Apple seems to be raking in the billions even on its "worst" quarters while Blackberry is in a fight for its life. So, Apple doesn't need them for that.
Apple has gotten along much patent litigation from Blackberry. And in fact, Blackberry is
still losing lawsuits for various claimed patent infringements. Blackberry would be more a liability than an asset.
So, Apple doesn't need them for that, either.
Buying Blackberry would be a waste of money at this point.