With RIM's market share continuing to slide, one Fortune contributor thinks Google should buy RIM. The thought is a bit shocking at first, but there are good arguments for the merger. Venture capitalist and Fortune contributor Richard Dale thinks Google would do itself some good by purchasing RIM. Dale's main argument is that RIM has a loyal following and people really love the hardware, especially the keyboard, because it's so good for email. However, RIM is being left in the dust when it comes to its browser, media, etc. Google is looking to extend its platform so they could purchase RIM and come out ahead.
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Google could get the patent portfolio to allow them to use (or better, out-license) that great keyboard, instead of the crappy one on, say, the Motorola Droid slide-outs. Google could even choose to spin off the hardware altogether to a handset manufacturer (HTC?), to reap the benefits of getting Android onto the platform but avoid competing with their channel.

Google could leverage the intense loyalty of BBM across it's entire messaging line, adding to Gmail chat, etc. Google could add RIM's great enterprise security. The BB phones would probably enhance the relationships Google has with the mobile carriers, although I am not sure how important that really is. Google would be able to put Android on the BB platform which would make current BB phone users very, very happy."

It's an interesting concept. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.