GIFT NDOLWANE
JOHANNESBURG – AFTER deciding to lay off its struggling smartphone business in September, BlackBerry is pinning its hopes on the automotive sector.

The company has reached an agreement with Ford Motor Company for expanded use of BlackBerry’s QNX and security software.

The terms of the deal are confidential but it signifies an acceleration in BlackBerry’s shift from hardware to software in support of the automaker’s goal of providing connected vehicles and mobility to its customers.

Ford extends its position in providing security and mobility solutions.

John Chen, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at BlackBerry, says the future of the automobile is about embedded intelligence.

“I believe our expertise in secure embedded software makes us the preferred technology provider to put the smart in the car,” says Chen.

As part of this agreement, BlackBerry will dedicate a team to work with Ford on expanding the use of BlackBerry’s QNX Neutrino Operating System, Certicom security technology, QNX hypervisor and QNX audio processing software.

Raj Nair, Executive Vice President Product Development and Chief Technical Officer at Ford Motor Company says they understand the importance of the connected car experience to customers.

“Growing our expertise, experience and use of the BlackBerry QNX embedded software platforms will help ensure we deliver the high-quality, highly secure experience that our customers expect,” says Nair.

– CAJ News