BlackBerry QNX Revived as Firm Targets IoT Software Growth
BlackBerry, the Canadian security software provider and former handset manufacturer, has rebranded its Internet of Things (IoT) division as QNX to strengthen its position in automotive and industrial computing markets.
The firm's QNX unit develops real-time operating systems - software that processes data with precise timing requirements - for vehicles and industrial equipment. These systems manage functions where consistent performance is essential for safety and reliability.
QNX technology currently operates in 255 million vehicles globally, controlling systems from entertainment displays to driver assistance features.
The software division serves manufacturers of medical devices, industrial controls and robotics applications which require systems that respond to events within microseconds.
John J. Giamatteo, CEO at BlackBerry, says: "Relaunching the QNX brand is an important step in BlackBerry's broader strategy to increase our visibility and fortify our leadership within the automotive and embedded industries."
Targeting the hybrid computing market
Traditional vehicle manufacturers face competition from technology firms including Google's autonomous driving unit Waymo, Apple and Tesla, which have developed proprietary automotive software platforms.
These manufacturers partner with technology providers to modernise vehicle computing capabilities.
Relaunching the QNX brand is an important step in BlackBerry's broader strategy to increase our visibility and fortify our leadership within the automotive and embedded industries
The division launches new products including the QNX Software Development Platform 8.0, which provides foundation software for automotive and IoT systems that connect vehicles and industrial equipment to networks. It also includes QNX Sound for audio systems in software-defined vehicles - ones where mechanical systems are controlled by computer code.
John adds: "The values that QNX stands for have always been a cornerstone for our customers and this brand relaunch honours that strong history while setting the stage for the division to fire on all cylinders and drive smarter, safer and faster innovation through precision-engineered performance."
QNX first started in 1980 when University of Waterloo graduates created an operating system named QUNIX. The system was renamed QNX in 1984 and evolved through multiple iterations, including QNX 2 in the early 1980s and QNX 4 in 1991, which introduced 32-bit operations and POSIX support - standards ensuring software compatibility across different operating systems.
BlackBerry then acquired QNX in 2010 following its earlier acquisition by audio equipment manufacturer Harman in 2004. The rebranding follows consultations with customers, partners, employees and stakeholders to reflect QNX's market position in mission-critical systems and software-defined vehicles.
- 45 years: Length of QNX's embedded software expertise since its founding in 1980
- 255 million: Number of vehicles on the road using QNX technology
- 3 years: Period of strategic investment leading to current repositioning
The company has also introduced QNX Everywhere, a development environment giving software engineers access to QNX capabilities for building applications. The revived brand debuts at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas with demonstrations of automotive technology.
Pushing IoT offering into new markets
The rebranding includes updates to the division's development environment, known as myQNX, alongside a new visual identity and website. This follows three years of strategic investment in the platform.
The automotive and industrial computing sectors transform as vehicles and machinery increase dependence on software. This creates opportunities for technology providers who deliver operating systems for critical applications where system failures could have consequences.
Such demand increases for hybrid cloud and edge computing capabilities - technologies for autonomous vehicles and industrial automation systems requiring rapid data processing. Edge computing processes data near its source rather than sending it to distant data centres.
BlackBerry is at an inflection point and QNX is well positioned for the next 10 years as the demand for advanced hybrid cloud/edge computing capabilities becomes crucial
“BlackBerry is at an inflection point and QNX is well positioned for the next 10 years as the demand for advanced hybrid cloud/edge computing capabilities becomes crucial for driving a software-defined future,” comments Mattias Eriksson, President of QNX.
“The investments we have made over the last three years have set us on a well-defined path to capitalise on these trends.”
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