BlackBerry is Taking Over the Automotive Industry with Its iOS for Cars
BlackBerry has been in the news a lot lately, but not necessarily because of its phones. The Canadian company recently announced that its QNX software will be coming to Ford vehicles, and it’s only a matter of time before it takes over the automotive industry. But how will this change the way we drive? Will we soon be using our car’s OS to send texts or check emails?
BlackBerry Helps Car Manufacturers Simplify Connectivity
With features like BlackBerry-branded eSIM, multimedia apps, and a personalized dashboard, BlackBerry Limited (BLACK) has taken over the automotive industry. The majority of car manufacturers now offer cars powered by BlackBerry’s connected software and in 2019, most new vehicles will be equipped with its technology. Furthermore, auto brands are increasingly relying on Blackberry’s smart services to power their in-car app ecosystem while they advance into automation technologies.
How BlackBerry Helps Car Manufacturers Build Apps
Manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo are using BlackBerry to develop apps that will change the way people interact with their cars. Rather than being tethered to your phone in your pocket, drivers will have a menu of options on their touch screens, and vehicle systems can be monitored from afar by family members, making every driver safer. Beyond apps, BlackBerry’s QNX technology is also used in advanced security systems. By developing platforms that keep connected cars secure and stable, BlackBerry has ensured its place in automotive history.
How BlackBerry Built an App Ecosystem For Car Manufacturers
BlackBerry has successfully made a strong comeback in the industry. One of BlackBerry’s best decisions was to develop QNX, an embedded operating system and virtualization environment. That has enabled automakers to apply BlackBerry’s technology to their systems without having to rebuild them from scratch.
The company’s QNX unit makes the in-car software that runs on 44 percent of the automobiles sold today. And while competitors have shifted to higher-end features, Blackberry appears content to provide an operating system that resembles Apple’s iOS. In fact, QNX software powers Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system as well as VW’s Car-Net Drive PC.
Why iPhone-Like Control Screens Are Here to Stay in Cars
The core of BlackBerry’s investment in QNX is to establish a platform and environment where developers, who are typically embedded developers, can write and deploy code just like they would on an iPhone or Android, said Alec Saunders, vice president of Developer Relations at BlackBerry. In fact, you could build many of the same applications as on those platforms using development tools that are familiar and well-supported. That really empowers our partners.
Where We’re Headed
Whether we like it or not, BlackBerry has built the new iPhone of cars. The company’s QNX unit makes the in-car software that runs on 44 percent of the automobiles sold today. And while competitors have shifted to higher-end features, Blackberry appears content to provide an operating system that resembles Apple’s iOS. In fact, QNX software powers Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system as well as VW’s Car-Net Drive PC.
