QNX Phones........What's the big deal ?

[EchoTango]

Without trying to unnecessarily prolong this thread's life, would developers or techies types agree that moving from Java to a QNX SDK makes the future BBerry devices more proprietary and less standards based ?

I understand that Java is also "proprietary" but that it has become a defacto standard for application development.

In the forthcoming battle with Microsoft, I'm thinking the level of "openness" will be a key factor in attracting developers to the QNX platform.

[Harley Kid]

Originally Posted by meske

Yeah, I think QNX is more familiar with devs, as its a unix base (aka android).

BBOS was built for secure messaging and running java apps, but it was more centered to "business apps" that typically do not have great graphics/processor needs. To compete in the consumer world, people want a device that can do it all. BBOS 6 and 7 do a good job, but the OS was not originally designed for it, and therefor you run into limitations.

Just like RIM was knocking Apple for not having a "true multi tasking OS" and stating that QNX was built from the ground up with that in mind, same goes for iOS / Android compared to BBOS - the iOS and Android OS's were built to do gaming/computing/data well, and security and multi-tasking were built in later..

I am a user of a 4G Android and have seen VERY little difference between my dual core processor and the speeds I had with my BB Bold. I have also fallen for the iOS hype and paid dearly for ETF cost. I anticipate the same speeds with the new QNX. If my app/document loads in three tenths of a second versus the normal five tenths, I dont believe the world will stop spinning. Having the information safe on a network/OS that is one of the most reliable (IMHO) rates higher on my personal interest scale that buying onto the troll hype about some cellular eden achieved by owning a "wonder device".
I have a while to wait for the QNX and loof forward to making the decission between the new Torch or Bold.

[JackKennedy]

Originally Posted by EchoTango

I've been watching the traffic regarding QNX, with folks saying how great it is, how it will save RIM and the utility of the OS. I know it's in cars, nuclear power plants and all sorts of exotic places. Multi-core support is often touted as the main reason, but do users really care how many cores they are running (and consuming the battery) ?

Looking at BB7 in relation to IOS and Android, it seems to me that it generally stacks up pretty well with these devices and is now (at least) on par with these other handsets OS's. I'm not seeing any major deficiencies, in fact it has arguably more function once you add the traditional BB services like BES, BIS and BBM. New technologies like NFC and bar codes are coming, but these already run on OS7.

So my question is; what is QNX going to add to the features/functions that isn't there today that can't be enabled using the OS7 or it's future iterations ? What's the "wiz bang" application(s) that QNX is going to facilitate ?

it leapfrogs the competitions and right into a volcano. They are taking away the trackpad, the shortcut buttons, making the devices inconveniently larger with no innovative design solution and blatantly rips off the design of every smartphone out there. The os will supposingly be smooth (at least after a few generations, if RIM will ever survive to see that) and graphically enhanced and not support any old BB apps developed for any older os versions. Oh, and you can probably play fancy games on it (though not the Xbox ones, playstation ones, and likely not the current Android and iPhone ones because no one will bother to write up an entire programme again)...

[Rello]

^^wow u are making a lot of assumptions for a device that isnt out right now. im assuming you've used it before?

i love that people keep talking about it doesnt have a trackpad and how its kissing all the stuff BB's are known for. You guys dont think RIM has thought of this. They know exactly what their devices are known for and im sure they have thought about all this while developing the UI for these handheld devices.

[sleepngbear]

Originally Posted by JackKennedy

it leapfrogs the competitions and right into a volcano. They are taking away the trackpad, the shortcut buttons, making the devices inconveniently larger with no innovative design solution and blatantly rips off the design of every smartphone out there. The os will supposingly be smooth (at least after a few generations, if RIM will ever survive to see that) and graphically enhanced and not support any old BB apps developed for any older os versions. Oh, and you can probably play fancy games on it (though not the Xbox ones, playstation ones, and likely not the current Android and iPhone ones because no one will bother to write up an entire programme again)...

Wow, that's a whole lotta misinformation in one little post.

If they eliminate the trackpad and/or physical buttons, don't you think they'll come up with a suitable touch-screen substitute?

Have you looked at any of the myriad Android phones out now and still coming, every one of which being a copy of every slab phone that came before it, starting with the iPhone that started the whole slab thing?

'Supposedly' smooth OS ... take a look at the PlayBook and see how supposedly smooth it is. Not talking about apps or features that are missing, just the smoothness and intuitiveness of the UI.

And BB10 will very likely be able to run BB7 apps, and will also likely have the same Android emulation that is coming for the PlayBook.

Anything else you care to take a blind stab at?

[zolt11]

Whats the big deal? Get a playbook and see how the screen looks, feels and how fluid it is. Zero hiccups, none that i have experienced . It blows my ipad out of the water in those areas, lacks in others (apps) but is my preferred tablet. Apps will come and then they will all be working on BB X also!!!

[HybridGT]

QNX is apparently more reliable

[berryverybold]

QNX is basically a UNIX RTOS, real time operating system (ie multitasking possible).

Why build a new bespoke OS for every new appliance and test it on that specific appliance, it cost millions on testing and closing the security/bugs.

This is why C, C+ then C++, then went to J+, J++ etc,

Keeping to a standard FIRMWARE, OS-WARE, SOFTWARE apps makes now called WIDGET apps work across platforms. So good for software designers to recoup monies from MANY appliances and not just one besoke phone.

Setting up a software gaming team say for the Xbox or PS3 or the new PSP cost huge money and what happens if the appliance does not sell and flops.

I was looking at the 3DO contract before it came out, and setting up a team of developers, the contract to write software for the appliance was a nightmare, glad I did not sign it, and finally went a signed with a different manufacture to write software.

The point is the end user does not care or get involved with the huge expense it cost to write and fill those bugs, Software is like a Hollywood film, it may flop (you lose you investment), to good and the appliance has not sold many - so you can sell enough of your software to recoup your investment.

This is why standardisation became in the industry, hence Java and Flash became, and now due to IP6 HTML5 is becoming. If the appliance flops you can still sell enough software to port to another appliance, hence XBOX and PS3 software is one software which gets ported (converted) to the other appliance, all the appliance has to do is have the filter, in this case of example, JAVA / FLASH. ie Widgets.

Making a OS, is a huge risk that's why Microsoft dominates, others have tried, the only challenges Microsoft is Linux Kernels, Linux is open, meaning all of us own it, it constantly evolves.

RIM buying a OS off the shelf is cheaper, less risk and all they have to do is have a standard electronics module (one chip/IC); all addons are real-plug-and-play - like Linux built in to the current version of the Kernal, so any addons automactically get applied when the device switches on for the first time, finds its programmed in model number and searches itself to see what it self is and what is attached to itself (ie sub model) ; Most DVD(Bluray) and televisions/monitors are built this way. You can hack them and find electronics fitted inside the chips/IC's that have been turned off in that sub model. Companies do not make electronic models for every model, they either blow parts up/legs off or program into the firmware flags to turn them off. Hence FM radio upgrades on Apples and BB7.1. It is cheaper to blow parts up or software variables flag them in the firmware then making a chip/IC electronics with less features.

So In that RIM are doing this is a good thing as software will proberly last longer between versions. ie when upgrading to OS12 some OS10 software may still run.

Its a bit like Office97 working on XP.

But Microsoft wanting you to buy Office 2003, but Office97 still works. So in Vista - Office 2007 is born and Office97 no longer strangely has a install problem, in that Microsoft say it is a compatibility issue in the technology in Vista and 7. But really letting Office97 load would mean lost Office2007 sales.

ie, it is all about money, recoup investments, and profit.

In all transfer upgrade compatibility in software, eventually it will not work due to money.

The market for phones and televisions is being squeezed in UK, UK has the most phones per population per person. So how can they sell us a new one.........

Compatibility then becomes a issue.

Software companies have to recoup their investments of making say example "Angry Birds", that's why it is mulitplatform, and written in one Language, then complied to another platform via a filter, ie that appliance has to run a base language such as Java/Flash that becomes the appliance manufacturer problem not the Software developer.

RIM in doing the World Tour for developers for BB10 phone10 is a swave move, getting the developers on their side and asking the developers "what do you want?" ; means "what do you want as default in the basic model ?", and then RIM guaranteeing a set plan of self life for their developed software, therefore the developer knows the risk is low in that they will then get their invested money back at some point.

You have to remember the published figures for public eyes for the Microsoft XBOX ONE was $23 Million in the RED for Microsoft for making the XBOX. Also PS3 was very expensive to Sony and the PS4 is in the same position it proberly will not happen, PS4 is being developed on paper I believe, but I would say the XBOX 361 (elite HDMI version) and PS3 will be the last in the console would. Nintendo is thinking ahead with the Wii two and making the YOU "" and merger with the DS and the Wii, a console goes with you, so not a portable or a console, it is both.

The mobile phone world is no different, it is a piece of electronic appliance a gadget, it is supposed to be a phone, but now the phone becomes a back seat and the 99% features are the phone and actually making a phone call is 1%, so audio quality is taking a back seat.

With IP6 and 5G (FiVE G = full-WIFIMAX) becoming sometime in the future however long it will be - all calls will be IP6-VOIP / television will be IPTV (ie now called smart-tv boxes).

In a nut shell technology cost money and somebody has to buy it.

Having one main product and making others from it makes a better investment.

Same product, different cases, (ie keyboards, TFT quality, speakers, sockets, touch screen, cell modules (2G3G4G5G GPS WIFI BT2 BT3 etc) - all made from one electronics chip/IC with the same firmware, and OS, just the model and sub models programmed in is different.

Remember the home computer market mess in the 1980's and the VHS BETA Philips2000 tape war, and the averted DVD-cell modules (2G3G4G5G GPS WIFI BT2 BT3 etc)

Remember the home computers mess in the 1980's and the VHS / Betamax / Philips2000 tape war and the averted HD and Blu-ray war.

Goggle Android, OS here has a bit of a edge, being Linux and Chromium based it when perfected has a lot of miles.

Hence where Nokia is losing the market to smart-phones and had to bring in the big gun Microsoft to bail out with a OS call Windows 7 touchscreen.... oh I mean Windows 8.























Hence

[jedibeeftrix]

Originally Posted by EchoTango

So my question is; what is QNX going to add to the features/functions that isn't there today that can't be enabled using the OS7 or it's future iterations ? What's the "wiz bang" application(s) that QNX is going to facilitate ?

primarily, because it is not a clunky old bag of balls like BB7.

[crackcookie]

From my understanding it will level the playing field. OS7 looks nice but is still based on the old hour glass style.

We should see the old goodness of RIM with the excitement of things RIM doesn't currently do well.