RIM’s BlackPad to use QNX OS?
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RIM’s much rumored tablet device is in the press again with the discussions over which OS the BlackPad will use. Stories have pointed to RIM possibly using Android instead of the newly launched BlackBerry 6 OS. This possibility was refuted by many experts saying that RIM would indeed use its new BlackBerry OS for the BlackPad tablet. The latest report from Bloomberg say RIM won’t use either of these two options but will instead use an OS from QNX.
RIM purchased Ottawa based QNX Software Systems this past April for $200 million. QNX’s OS is targeted for the embedded systems market and is in a wide range of mission critical real-time environments such as air traffic control systems and nuclear power plants. The company’s OS can also be found in the automotive and telecom markets driving communications systems and infotainment consoles.
Why RIM would use the QNX OS versus BlackBerry 6 is unclear, but according to Bloomberg’s sources it may have to do with RIM’s desire to avoid using legacy BlackBerry code. Also, QNX has a large developer base that could be leveraged to create new applications for the device. However, most of these developers are not the traditional developers you’d expect to see developing apps for the iPhone, Android or other mobile devices. It remains to be seen how RIM will leverage the QNX developer community in its battle with Apple and Google in creating a compelling apps eco-system.
In the Bloomberg article, Ashok Kumar, an analyst with Rodman & Renshaw, was upbeat about the prospects for RIM and their Blackpad tablet saying, “as long as it’s a good-enough product, they should have a fighting chance.”
With the iPad already a huge success in the market and strong competition ahead from Dell, Motorola, Google and HP, we think “good enough” may not be the right target for RIM to be successful in this hot new segment.
