BlackBerry Limited BB recently announced strategic decisions focused on expanding its QNX division with innovation and advancements. QNX introduced a pioneer automotive software solution to streamline and enhance digital cockpit development. It also strengthened developer support to drive innovation in embedded software across industries. Further, QNX has teamed up with Microsoft MSFT to accelerate Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) development using Azure Cloud. QNX, Vector and TTTech Auto's collaborative effort to transform the vehicle software platform is another encouraging development.

Investors responded positively to these announcements, with BB’s shares gaining 11.14% in trading and closing the session at $4.09 on Jan. 06.

BB recently decided to relaunch the QNX brand, emphasizing its focus on SDVs and mission-critical applications. BB renamed its IoT division to "QNX", driven by valuable feedback from customers, partners, employees and stakeholders.

How Does BB-MSFT Partnership Benefit the Auto Industry?

QNX and Microsoft partnered to aid automakers with the task of building, validating and refining software within the cloud to power the evolution of SDVs. The partnership will bring the QNX Software Development Platform (SDP) 8.0 to Microsoft Azure, offering automakers a comprehensive cloud-based environment to accelerate innovation while reducing development risks. Also, QNX and Microsoft plan to extend their collaboration to include the QNX Hypervisor and the QNX Cabin.

BlackBerry unveiled the QNX Cabin, a cutting-edge framework enabling original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to virtualize digital cockpit development in the cloud. This approach lets developers "shift left," creating, testing and optimizing code in the cloud before moving it to the production System on Chip hardware. This cloud-first model enhances collaboration across teams, accelerates workflows, simplifies processes and reduces time-to-market. QNX Cabin simplifies mixed-criticality development by integrating safety-critical systems on the QNX Operating System (OS) with consumer applications on Android Automotive and Linux.

QNX will showcase its full range of automotive solutions at CES 2025, which will be held from Jan. 7–10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. QNX will also demonstrate the capabilities of its SDP 8.0 on Azure at the same event.

BB Empowers Developers With QNX Everywhere Project

Under the QNX Everywhere initiative, students, schools, researchers and hobbyists can now avail of the QNX SDP 8.0 for free. This includes resources and on-demand training, enabling aspiring developers to enhance their skills and create innovative solutions and demos. Developers get a free QNX SDP 8 license, a Raspberry Pi 4 quick-start image, open-source ports and tutorials on embedded software and OS concepts.

Going forward, QNX Everywhere plans to expand collaborations with academic programs, host developer events and increase resources like source code, open-source ports and pre-built software to support developers across the globe.

QNX, Vector & TTTech Auto Team Up to Boost Auto Innovation

Developing and maintaining robust vehicle software platforms has become a significant challenge for automakers. To address this, QNX, along with Vector and TTTech Auto, has announced a multi-year global collaboration to develop a foundational vehicle software platform. The initiative aims to minimize the complexity and costs of software integration, enabling automakers to focus on delivering innovative, consumer-facing applications that build brand loyalty and value.

The collaboration combines the unique expertise of each partner. QNX and Vector will jointly develop the vehicle software platform, combining their expertise in secure OS and automotive middleware. QNX brings its trusted, safe and secure OS, which are widely used by OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers globally. 

The initiative represents a shift from the traditional value chain model to a value network model, emphasizing open, transparent and collaborative governance. The platform will also evolve to incorporate contributions from new ecosystem members and open-source initiatives, further enhancing its value proposition.

BB’s Zacks Rank & Stock Price Performance

BB currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Shares of the company have gained 26.3% in the past year compared with the sub-industry's growth of 16.8%.

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Other Stocks to Consider

Some other top-ranked stocks from the broader technology space are InterDigital, Inc. IDCC and Qualcomm Incorporated QCOM. IDCC presently sports a Zacks Rank #1, while QCOM carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

IDCC is a pioneer in advanced mobile technologies that enable wireless communications and capabilities. The company engages in designing and developing a wide range of advanced technology solutions, which are used in digital cellular as well as wireless 3G, 4G and IEEE 802-related products and networks. It has a long-term growth expectation of 17.44%.

Qualcomm is well-positioned to meet its long-term revenue targets driven by solid 5G traction, greater visibility and a diversified revenue stream. It is increasingly focusing on the seamless transition from a wireless communications firm for the mobile industry to a connected processor company for the intelligent edge.

 

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