In announcing its Q2 2017 financials for the three months ended August 31, 2016, the company reported an 89% growth in revenue pushed by software and services revenue. Blackberry also made the announcement that it will cease all internal hardware development, meaning the firm will no longer internally make smartphones. Blackberry has a legion of patents besides having created a reputation for itself in the software space for offering ultrasecure solutions.
This gamble by Blackberry seems to have paid off, with Ford Motor company announcing it will begin running Blackberry software for infotaiment and security. The deal involves QNX, a company Blackberry purchased in 2010 and which the firm hopes will lead its venture into the internet of things space. QNX already has an established partnership with Ford, where it powers Ford’s Sync 3 in-car connectivity system. Ford will use QNX to enhance in car connectivity with a focus on areas such as display, infotainment and security.
Blackberry’s announcement of termination of internal hardware development has seen the firm enter into a licensing agreement with BB Merah Putih of Indonesia to manufacture, distribute and promote BlackBerry-branded devices running on Android. In addition to QNX, Blackberry has been monetizing some of its assets, including the announcement of a strategic alliance with Emtek Group to accelerate and advance BBM’s consumer business globally by developing cross-platform applications, content, and services on the BBM platform.
