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BlackPad to have its own OS, built by QNX?
We did wonder why RIM was acquiring infotainment specialist QNX Software Systems back in April, and today, according to Bloomberg, much of that mystery has been dispelled. Three separate sources are cited in a report claiming that RIM intends to run software built by QNX on its virginal tablet effort, the BlackPad. It's curious that the company is opting against upscaling its BlackBerry 6 operating system into the tablet space, though one of the sources suggested that's due to legacy code hanging around in the still new OS, making it easier to just start afresh when building the slate's software package. It shall be very interesting indeed to see how well this $200 million investment works out for RIM; it'll certainly be the biggest departure from the BlackBerry maker's conservative norm.
RIM buys QNX, talks in-car infotainment, 'intelligent peripherals'
RIM buying a relatively unknown company for an undisclosed sum may not ordinarily be the most exciting of the developments, but the company's acquisition of Ottawa-based QNX Software Systems does certainly raise some interesting questions, at least some of which RIM is actually answering. According to co-CEO Mike Lazaridis, RIM is buying QNX at least in part to "further integrate and enhance the user experience between smartphones and in-vehicle audio and infotainment systems," adding that the company will also "bring other value to RIM in terms of supporting certain unannounced product plans for intelligent peripherals." Lazaridis didn't get much more specific than that, but the notion of "intelligent peripherals" does offer quite a bit of food for thought, as does QNX's past involvement in projects like the LTE Connected Car. Of course, as with most acquisition announcements, this one isn't a done deal just yet, but RIM and QNX seem confident that it will be closed in 30 to 45 days following regulatory approval.
LTE Connected Car redefines the 'mobile' in mobile broadband (video)
If you think cellphones have become overbearingly complex, look away now. A partnership of tech companies and content providers, known as the ng Connect Program, has revealed a prototype "LTE Connected Car," which, as you might surmise, combines 4G mobile broadband connectivity with a bunch of cloud-sourced facilities, such as video on demand, audio libraries, and multiplayer gaming. It can also serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot, connect directly to home automation or monitoring systems, and probably cook you scrambled eggs if you ask nicely. A Toyota Prius serves as the guinea pig for this new concept, and we've got video of the whole shebang after the break.
