Chinese computing giant Lenovo is considering purchasing Canadian smartphone handset maker RIM in a bid to join the burgeoning smartphone market.

The world’s second largest computer manufacturer by volume, Lenovo’s purchase of Research in Motion would give it an entrance into the lucrative smartphone segment in an effort to diversify its non-pc assets.

While Lenovo currently offers handsets that operate Google’s Android operating system, RIM’s Blackberry presents a unique opportunity for Lenovo to establish deep connections to the business segment of the smartphone industry where Blackberry remains relevant. Blackberry had no comment on the Lenovo report other than to say that it was focused on the successful market launch of its upcoming Blackberry 10.

[ZDNet]