Research In Motion is acquiring QNX Software Systems, whose open Neutrino operating system is used across many industry verticals, including autos. RIM may plan to let its BlackBerry smartphones control automotive and other functions. The QNX technology has been licensed for more than 17 million in-vehicle systems worldwide.
Research In Motion has put its buying power Relevant Products/Services in motion with the acquisition of QNX Software Systems. The Waterloo, Canada-based phone maker reached an agreement with QNX's parent company, Harman International, to acquire the company, RIM announced Friday.
By acquiring the Ottawa, Canada-based QNX, RIM will gain access to its open operating system Relevant Products/Services, Neutrino. The open platform is used across many industry verticals, including telecommunications, medical, defense and automotive.
While QNX's software is used in life-critical systems such as air traffic control, surgical equipment, and nuclear power plants, it has been used most recently in casino gaming terminals and in-car infotainment systems.
Licenses to Entertain
The phone maker may be planning to integrate its BlackBerry smartphone functions with in-car audio and infotainment systems in the short term, but for the long term it looks as though RIM may be interested in providing dashboard and communications Relevant Products/Services systems using BlackBerry functions.
"RIM is interested in expanding opportunities for QNX in the automotive sector and other markets," said Paul Leroux, a spokesperson for QNX. "No question, this is a positive development for QNX."
"In addition to our interests in expanding the opportunities for QNX in the automotive sector and other markets, we believe the planned acquisition of QNX will also bring other value to RIM in terms of supporting certain unannounced product plans for intelligent peripherals Relevant Products/Services, adding valuable intellectual property to RIM's portfolio, and providing long-term synergies for the companies based on the significant and complementary OS expertise that exists within the RIM and QNX teams today," said RIM President Mike Lazaridis.
RIM's acquisition comes on the heels of QNX announcing that its technology has been licensed for more than 17 million in-vehicle systems worldwide -- a 130 percent increase since 2008.
Brands such as Acura, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Nissan and Toyota use QNX software for their hands-free systems, connectivity Relevant Products/Services modules, 3-D navigation systems, or rear-seat entertainment products.
Driving Force Behind In-Vehicle Systems
QNX intends to keep its existing locations and has no intention of cutting back its staff, according to the company. In fact, the company is currently hiring, according to Leroux.
RIM may also be tapping into QNX's experience with Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband access technology. QNX, along with a slew of partners, including Lucent and Toyota, was recently selected to collaborate on an LTE-connected car.
Population and changes in demographics will be the driving forces behind changes in the automotive industry, and RIM clearly sees this as a market.
"RIM does not do anything unless it knows there is a market for it," said Ramon Llamas, an IDC analyst. "They want to do better things with the user experience with smartphones and they are trying to connect the smartphones to other devices. Now they are saying if you are in the car and want to share things with everyone in the car -- boom, you can do it."
In five years, or by 2015, 40 percent of the world will live in cities with populations of more than one million people, and 17 percent will reside in mega-cities with more than five million people, according to Accenture. Those drivers will need in-vehicle systems to better navigate what are expected to be congested city roads. Drivers will also heavily rely on their car to help them decide on the best restaurants and places of entertainment.
civic you just wish rim fails on this one sorry to tell you but they want apple and google are to busy fighting each other and the other smartphone companies are to busy trying to stay alive this is going to become a huge market
civic you just wish rim fails on this one sorry to tell you but they want apple and google are to busy fighting each other and the other smartphone companies are to busy trying to stay alive this is going to become a huge market
lol, how quickly people forget Microsoft's been in this car market for a few years now. Ever hear of Sync? RIM's not doing anything new here... I can't wait to get incomplete (trucated) info when it really matters.
If this is what this aquisition was all about... it's more of the same from RIM. No innovation... all they do is copy everyone else after those other companies tried to enter into a market and test the waters. RIM watches their success and then decides to enter into it as well. good.
Certainly worked well for Microsoft these last 30 odd years. Remember Stacker for example? Disk compression. Microsoft has a habit of doing exactly what you describe above.
From Wiki:
Embrace, extend and extinguish,"[1] also known as "Embrace, extend, and exterminate,"[2] is a phrase that the U.S. Department of Justice found[3] was used internally by Microsoft[4] to describe its strategy for entering product categories involving widely used standards, extending those standards with proprietary capabilities, and then using those differences to disadvantage its competitors.
Remember, a company is beholding to its shareholders, and exists to make money. No more, no less. They exist to generate profit. Sure, you can call me "Captain Obvious" but many people forget this basic fact.
I believe RIM is looking for future innovation in regard to integration between smartphones and cars. I dont think for a second that any of the QNX kernal will make its way in to the OS.
