This morning while we talked to a RIM VP our buddy Simon from Intomobile manage to get the word that RIM will eventually migrate the QNX software to the BlackBerry Smartphone. It was mentioned that OS 7 will be a first step in that direction. This may have been rumored but now we have confirmation that it will eventually happen. The PlayBook will be the first RIM device to feature a new OS powered by the QNX software. At the keynote yesterday it was said that the PlayBook will be able to run some existing BlackBerry applications which will make it interesting to see how it handles them.
The QNX software is built for reliability, low power consumption and is able to run Flash, and 3D graphics. This will be huge for RIM if they can eventually provide the same features that make BlackBerry devices great with a much better UI. Another thing that the QNX crew addressed in a Q & A session was the fact that BlackBerry has to reboot after installing an update to an app, with the QNX they said it would not be a problem. Things are sure looking better for RIM, but don’t expect it any time soon, things like this take time.
mmcpher Not Registered
Posted: September 28, 2010 at 3:26 PM EST from my BlackBerry 9800 | OS 6.0.0.246
Yesterday’s event seemed to feature the Torch but if I’m recalling correctly, older devises running an older OS will be able to pair and work with the Playbook. But given the lag time for release, I wonder what if any new handhelds will be released at or near the Playbook release date, that will presumably be running the QNX OS. It will be interesting to see how RIM integrates all of this.