Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) will use software from infotainment specialist QNX for its tablet product rather than its own BlackBerry 6 platform, according to a Bloomberg report.
The report, citing three unnamed sources, said RIM plans to use the software from QNX because it can use developers who are already creating apps for the platform. RIM acquired QNX in April for $200 million; QNX makes software for companies as diverse as BMW and Caterpillar. The report also said that one source speculated RIM might be using QNX's platform for the tablet instead of its BlackBerry 6 OS because QNX is simpler and faster, and because the new BlackBerry platform has legacy code in it.
A RIM spokeswoman declined to comment.
RIM's tablet, which has been rumored for months, is supposedly going to be called the "BlackPad," a clear reference to Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad.
RIM's tablet push is one of many among handset and computer makers, all of which are trying to capitalize on the market success Apple has found with the iPad. In other tablet news, the Taiwanese newspaper Digitimes said both Acer and Motorola (NYSE:MOT) are working on tablets that will run on Android 3.0. The Motorola tablet, which the company has hinted at but has not confirmed, is said to be the product of a direct collaboration with Google.
For more:
- see this Bloomberg article
- see this Electronista post
- see this Engadget post
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