Research In Motion to acquire QNX Software

Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of BlackBerry smartphones yesterday said  that it will acquire QNX Software Systems from Harman International as it moves to integrate its smartphones with in-vehicle audio and infotainment systems.

Ottawa, Ontario-based QNX, founded in 1980 and acquired by Harman International in 2004 owns an operating system that is deployed across multiple business sectors including automotive, industrial, telecommunications, medical, defense, and aerospace.

Ontario, Canada-based RIM, which did not disclose financial terms of the deal, said that the planned acquisition of QNX will also bring other value to it in terms of supporting certain unannounced product plans for intelligent peripherals.

"RIM is excited about the planned acquisition of QNX Software Systems and we look forward to ongoing collaboration between Harman, QNX and RIM to further integrate and enhance the user experience between smartphones and in-vehicle audio and infotainment systems," said Mike Lazaridis, president and Co-CEO at RIM.

"We welcome the opportunities that a strengthened relationship with RIM will create, as two innovation leaders collaborate to bring new connectivity solutions to the industry," said Dinesh Paliwal, Harman's chairman, president and CEO.

"We expect to maintain our close association with QNX and the cutting-edge software solutions it provides to Harman and our customers.

We believe our leading customers will fully endorse this move and see it as a major step in advancing seamless connectivity and integration among intelligent devices," he added.

Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company has a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia.