BlackBerry QNX Announces General Availability of QNX SDP 8.0, its Scalable, High-Performance Foundation for Next Generation Automotive and IoT Systems

Rhea-AI Summary

BlackBerry Limited (BB) announces general availability of QNX Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0. The platform features fifth-generation architecture with state-of-the-art safe and secure microkernel, advanced tooling, and cloud enablement. It delivers a scalable, high-performance real-time operating system available for today's embedded computing industry. QNX SDP 8.0 adds support for ARM v9 and GCC 12, and delivers near-linear performance scaling with CPU core counts. The platform extends the QNX Tool Suite with support for Microsoft Visual Studio Code and provides cloud-enabled OS support for development. QNX OS 8.0 is designed to support emerging CPU architectures such as RISC-V. The platform lays the foundation for the entire line of next-generation BlackBerry QNX portfolio products, including QNX OS for Safety, QNX Hypervisor, and QNX Hypervisor for Safety.

Positive

• QNX SDP 8.0 provides a scalable, high-performance real-time operating system for the embedded computing industry.
• The platform supports ARM v9 and GCC 12, delivering near-linear performance scaling with CPU core counts.
• QNX SDP 8.0 extends the QNX Tool Suite with support for Microsoft Visual Studio Code and provides cloud-enabled OS support for development.
• The platform is designed to support emerging CPU architectures such as RISC-V.
• QNX SDP 8.0 lays the foundation for the entire line of next-generation BlackBerry QNX portfolio products.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Technology Analyst

The release of BlackBerry's QNX Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0 is a significant update in the realm of embedded computing. The platform's emphasis on a safe and secure microkernel and advanced tooling positions it as a critical component in the development of future mission-critical systems. The support for ARM v9 and GCC 12 indicates a forward-looking approach, ensuring compatibility with the latest processor technologies, which could benefit industries relying on real-time operating systems, such as automotive, healthcare and industrial automation.

From a technology perspective, the ability of QNX SDP 8.0 to deliver near-linear performance scaling is noteworthy. This suggests that as processor core counts increase, the platform can effectively utilize these advancements, potentially leading to more efficient and powerful embedded systems. Furthermore, the integration with popular development environments like Microsoft Visual Studio Code and the cloud enablement features indicate that BlackBerry is positioning its QNX platform to be more accessible and adaptable to a variety of development workflows.

Market Research Analyst

BlackBerry's strategy to future-proof its QNX platform may have a substantial impact on its market position. The embedded systems market is expected to grow, driven by the increasing demand for sophisticated technologies in the Internet of Things (IoT), automotive and industrial sectors. By offering a platform that anticipates future CPU architecture shifts, such as the inclusion of RISC-V, BlackBerry is not only catering to current market needs but also preemptively addressing future trends.

The positive feedback from early access users, like ZEEKR Intelligent Technology, enhances the credibility of QNX SDP 8.0 and could lead to increased adoption rates. This user endorsement may influence other companies to consider BlackBerry's QNX products for their embedded systems, potentially increasing the company's market share and impacting its financial performance positively. The capability to migrate seamlessly between different QNX platforms could also reduce barriers to entry for new customers and improve customer retention for BlackBerry.

Financial Analyst

The launch of QNX SDP 8.0 represents a strategic investment by BlackBerry in its software division, which could have long-term financial implications. The embedded systems market is highly competitive, with several major players and BlackBerry's ability to differentiate its product through advanced security and scalability features is crucial for its growth. The financial impact will largely depend on the adoption rate of QNX SDP 8.0 by industries that require high reliability and security in their embedded systems.

Given the platform's support for emerging CPU architectures and its alignment with industry trends, BlackBerry may see an increase in licensing revenues if QNX SDP 8.0 becomes the preferred choice for developers. However, it is important to monitor the company's R&D expenses and how they balance against the revenue generated from the new platform. The success of QNX SDP 8.0 could also potentially lead to strategic partnerships or increase BlackBerry's bargaining power in negotiations, providing additional avenues for revenue growth.

Features fifth-generation architecture with state-of-the-art safe and secure microkernel, advanced tooling and cloud enablement to future-proof mission-critical embedded system design 

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CES -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today announced general availability of its new QNX^® Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0. Combined with the next generation QNX® OS 8.0, the platform delivers a scalable, high-performance real-time operating system available for today's embedded computing industry.

The fifth generation QNX SDP 8.0 architecture builds on decades of development and a field-proven safe and secure platform, while maintaining its POSIX API to provide an instantly productive environment for both QNX^® and Linux^® developers. QNX SDP 8.0 adds support for ARM v9 and GCC 12, and delivers near-linear performance scaling with CPU core counts, enabling developers to fully realize the power and opportunities of increasingly advanced processors for generations to come.

The new platform extends the QNX Tool Suite with support for Microsoft Visual Studio Code to complement the Eclipse-based Momentics Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and new command line tools including over 200 Unix utilities. It also provides cloud-enabled OS support for development. Furthermore, QNX OS 8.0, with its advanced microkernel architecture, is designed to support emerging CPU architectures such as RISC-V.

"QNX SDP 8.0 provides the trusted foundation upon which our customers can truly future-proof their products for many years to come," said John Wall, Senior Vice President and Head of QNX at BlackBerry. "It fundamentally enables embedded software design to support safe, secure and reliable systems in a way that fully harnesses the benefits of CPU advancements way into the future."

"As a premium smart mobility technology brand, we're keen to align with the very best development technologies that will future-proof our investment in world-class design, engineering and innovation," said Jun Tao, Software Senior Director at ZEEKR Intelligent Technology. "Our early access experience with QNX SDP 8.0 has been incredibly positive, enabling us to integrate all areas of development within a single high performance compute environment that sets our vehicle software advancements up for success, today and into the future."

QNX SDP 8.0 lays the foundation for the entire line of next generation BlackBerry^® QNX^® portfolio products, including QNX^® OS for Safety, QNX^® Hypervisor and QNX^® Hypervisor for Safety. Customers can seamlessly migrate between the platforms to best suit their specific application requirements.

To learn more about BlackBerry QNX, please visit BlackBerry.QNX.com.

About BlackBerry
BlackBerry (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The company secures more than 500M endpoints including over 235M vehicles. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company leverages AI and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy solutions, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint management, endpoint security, encryption, and embedded systems. BlackBerry's vision is clear – to secure a connected future you can trust. 

BlackBerry. Intelligent Security. Everywhere.  

For more information, visit BlackBerry.com and follow @BlackBerry.

Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design, are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services.

Media Contacts:
BlackBerry Media Relations
+1 (519) 597-7273
mediarelations@BlackBerry.com 

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SOURCE BlackBerry Limited

FAQ

What is the name of the new software development platform announced by BlackBerry Limited?

BlackBerry Limited has announced the general availability of its new QNX Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0.

What are the key features of QNX SDP 8.0?

QNX SDP 8.0 features fifth-generation architecture with state-of-the-art safe and secure microkernel, advanced tooling, and cloud enablement. It delivers a scalable, high-performance real-time operating system available for today's embedded computing industry.

What support does QNX SDP 8.0 add for development?

QNX SDP 8.0 adds support for ARM v9 and GCC 12, and delivers near-linear performance scaling with CPU core counts. It also extends the QNX Tool Suite with support for Microsoft Visual Studio Code and provides cloud-enabled OS support for development.

Which CPU architectures is QNX OS 8.0 designed to support?

QNX OS 8.0 is designed to support emerging CPU architectures such as RISC-V.

What products does QNX SDP 8.0 lay the foundation for?

QNX SDP 8.0 lays the foundation for the entire line of next-generation BlackBerry QNX portfolio products, including QNX OS for Safety, QNX Hypervisor, and QNX Hypervisor for Safety.