Ford Planning to Drop Microsoft for BlackBerry in Its Car Technology System

dalum · February 24, 2014, 12:52:39 PM

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-22/ford-said-to-swap-blackberry-s-qnx-for-microsoft-in-sync-system.html

mjhpadi · February 24, 2014, 01:05:06 PM

Interesting, I'm wondering what the computer gurus will think of the change?

BiGMaC · February 24, 2014, 01:13:49 PM

Interesting read. May be good for consumers, but just as likely not... In the IT world Blackberry is avoided because of the faltering and concerns about lack of adequate support and continued development. IMHO RIM (research in motion = blackberry) lost 95% of it's corporate worth over about 2 years because they didn't innovate or address consumer preferences. Maybe they learned their lesson, but they are VERY small now as far as employees (= programmers).
I personally don't like the electronics in the 2013 Audi (which uses blackberry) and I drove several during the shopping that led to the SHO purchase, but that's personal preference. I found it very "GM-like".

Maybe it's just a bargaining tool for Ford in negotiations with MS... For sure it will be interesting and sell a lot more Coastal software.

futat2 · February 24, 2014, 03:54:01 PM

Ford should use Mac OSX.

yowen · February 24, 2014, 03:56:14 PM

some Audis, most BMWs, and the Chrysler Pacifica use a blackberry system currently...

If RIM does indeed get Ford it'd be a huge win for them, not so sure if it would be for us, haha.

http://jalopnik.com/ford-reportedly-dumping-microsoft-for-blackberry-of-al-1529134645

SwampRat · February 24, 2014, 04:33:47 PM

Ford should just go with Linux ... its Bullet proof and is imbedded in more hardware in the World than any other OS out there for a reason .

yowen · February 24, 2014, 05:11:05 PM

Quote from: SwampRat on February 24, 2014, 04:33:47 PM
Ford should just go with Linux ... its Bullet proof and is imbedded in more hardware in the World than any other OS out there for a reason .

Google is bringing an Android-based system to cars from GM, Honda, and Hyundai

That's what those manufacturers seem to think, haha (android is linux based).

BiGMaC · February 24, 2014, 05:20:43 PM

GIYF ≠true

FracaSHO · February 25, 2014, 08:57:13 AM

Quote from: futat2 on February 24, 2014, 03:54:01 PM
Ford should use Mac OSX.

You read my mind! iFord would be awesome. Unfortunately, I don't think that would ever work. The problems people have with any apple iOS are MOSTLY user errors. People are scared of apple and are too lazy to take the time to learn how to properly use apple products and software. I will admit that if your gonna go apple, you have to go all in. It's truly the best way to fully utilize apple to its fullest potential. My lineup; Computer: MacBook pro. Phone: iPhone 5S. Tablet: iPad 2. Email and cloud account: iCloud.

Apple...it just works

On a side note: I basically gave up using voice activation on my sync. I only used it to make calls anyway. And now in IL we can't have a phone in our hands while driving period so that's an important feature. I got sick of sync calling "Ford" when I said call "Wife." I use Siri now and she gets the job done.

Brad
2010 SHO with PP
Sent from my iPhone

crash712us · February 25, 2014, 09:08:17 AM

Yeah I don't believe blackberry is a good option. Aren't they almost dead any way? However OSX based system is fantastic idea, Apple is very user friendly and very intuitive. And as others have said it just works. I have been PC free for 6yrs now and have convinced family and friends to make the switch and they have never been happier.

dalum · February 25, 2014, 09:34:36 AM

This has nothing directly to do with the BlackBerry line of phones, they are switching to the QNX OS which is owned by the company BlackBerry, who bought the original makers Research in Motion (RIM). QNX is the industrial real-time OS that powers everything from automobiles and nuclear reactors to smartphones and satellites. Ford switching from MS to BlackBerry basically brings them in line with what most of the world's automotive industry already has done. QNX has reputation for being bullet proof of the RTOS http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_real-time_operating_systems. QNX is a big player here but QNX is just the underlying OS. The thing you're interacting with is an application stack controlled by your vehicle manufacturer and I'm sure Ford will find a way to screw it up.

BiGMaC · February 25, 2014, 09:40:24 AM

Quote from: dalum on February 25, 2014, 09:34:36 AM
Ford switching from MS to BlackBerry basically brings them in line with what most of the world's automotive industry already has done. QNX has reputation for being bullet proof of the RTOS http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_real-time_operating_systems. QNX is a big player here but QNX is just the underlying OS. The thing you're interacting with is an application stack controlled by your vehicle manufacturer and I'm sure Ford will find a way to screw it up.

I hope not, but fear your right dalum... I didn't get a survey to tell them what I thought, bet no one did.

I hope the option to upgrade to the new OS will exist and function properly with the cars CPU processor!

EcoPowerParts · February 25, 2014, 09:43:11 AM

Another vote for an android OS based system. We know it works on almost anything and can be developed easily. Much less problems than an MS OS.

SwampRat · February 25, 2014, 09:48:31 AM

Quote from: FracaSHO on February 25, 2014, 08:57:13 AM

Quote from: futat2 on February 24, 2014, 03:54:01 PM
Ford should use Mac OSX.

You read my mind! iFord would be awesome. Unfortunately, I don't think that would ever work. The problems people have with any apple iOS are MOSTLY user errors. People are scared of apple and are too lazy to take the time to learn how to properly use apple products and software. I will admit that if your gonna go apple, you have to go all in. It's truly the best way to fully utilize apple to its fullest potential. My lineup; Computer: MacBook pro. Phone: iPhone 5S. Tablet: iPad 2. Email and cloud account: iCloud.

Apple...it just works

On a side note: I basically gave up using voice activation on my sync. I only used it to make calls anyway. And now in IL we can't have a phone in our hands while driving period so that's an important feature. I got sick of sync calling "Ford" when I said call "Wife." I use Siri now and she gets the job done.

Brad
2010 SHO with
Sent from my iPhone

It has nothing to do with beiing lazy ...

Hard core gamers prefer Windows over iOS because there is way more developer support .

If iOS was such a superior product then Why doesn't Apple release it as a standalone product ?

I don't buy Apple anything because there hardware is WAY overpriced.

Apple had true innovation with the original iPhone but there Market Share will never increase unless they can come up something to compete with against the Superior hardware that Samsung and others offer especially in light of the newer Seriously Polished Android OS releases of KeyLime Pie and KitKat.

My biggest reason for not even considering an iPhone is that the screen is too small and that you can't change out the battery if you need to.

BiGMaC · February 25, 2014, 11:00:32 AM

Ford clearly wants an industrial system... Not Android, Not MacOS... And while Microsoft did a pretty good job with the original sync when it was commissioned, they seem to have let Ford down in recent years. This is about cost effective industrial application and there aren't many players... what's more, like RIM, they are largely using Linnux based systems which is probably the world standard currently.

I still hope options exist for using the new system on the current vehicles, that the interface is intuitive (which it isn't now), that everyone can pick their flavor of phone or tablet with full function, and that it is quicker.

Software convergence is what is needed so everything works everywhere, and on any device. 95% of the critical operating hardware is Intel anyway.