In the first of a series of posts on noteworthy announcements at this year’s CES, we look at what Blackberry have been talking about. In November, we discussed the prospects of Project Ion, Blackberry’s umbrella Internet of Things play, where we talked up the applicability of Blackberry’s core expertise in embedded systems, mobile messaging and security to the world of connected ‘things’. Well, this week, John Chen, Blackberry’s CEO has been filling in the gaps, and it has been getting quite a bit of attention.
There are three main strands to Blackberry’s strategy.
1. Cloud-based IOT Platform
The first, and most significant, is the unveiling of a cloud-based IoT platform, which uses the aforementioned in-house Blackberry technologies. As in the mobile phone space, Blackberry’s IOT solution is geared at the top-end of the market, connecting high-value objects, with the first vertical applications being showcased are connected cars, and connected shipping containers.
2. Digital Health
The second strand is the evolution of Hbox, the medical data sharing solution produced by NantHealth, the digital health company Blackberry purchased last year. Significantly, Blackberry talk up the way this system is compliant to all the stringent privacy regulations relating to medical data, and Chen even had a dig at Apple, saying that the iCloud hack would not have been possible on Blackberry systems.
3. QNX Automotive Platforms
The final piece is the infotainment systems produced by Blackberry’s QNX arms for the automotive sector. Built into 50m vehicles worldwide, and with a market share in the order of 50% this is an area where Blackberry are a clear leader, and were keen to show off their latest gear in a flash Maserati Quattroporte.
Additionally to the above, and much covered by the tech press, is Blackberry’s announcement that Blackberry Messenger will be implemented for Android Wear, allowing usage from Smartphones, though this is pretty incidental to the overall IoT strategy.
(A good overview article of QNX can be found here)