BlackBerry Demonstrates New Mobile Computing Service for Automakers

New “Over-the-air” service delivers wireless software update and management capabilities to automakers

Telematics Detroit Conference, Novi, MI – Today, at the Telematics Detroit conference, BlackBerry® (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX: BB) will preview a new solution for automakers that lets them manage and deliver “Over-the-air” (OTA) software updates to vehicles. Leveraging BlackBerry’s existing global and secure infrastructure, which today delivers software updates to millions of BlackBerry devices around the world, the Software Update Management for Automotive service facilitates machine-to-machine (M2M) communication directly between the automaker and the vehicle, allowing the automaker to easily provide software updates to vehicles in the field.

“BlackBerry is helping facilitate a rapid convergence between mobile computing and the auto industry as automakers seek to connect with customers wherever they may be,” said David J. Smith, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Mobile Computing at BlackBerry. “At Telematics Detroit we are previewing how BlackBerry can help automakers connect with customers, solving the complex and difficult task that automakers face when they have a software update for the vehicles they’ve made. BlackBerry’s Software Update Management for Automotive service can transform the vehicle experience by enabling automakers to deliver new, compelling capabilities to their customers, long after the initial sale.”

Vehicles have more computing power than ever before with complex environments equipped with dozens of electronic control units (ECUs) as well as sophisticated  in-vehicle infotainment systems that can provide everything from 3D navigation to smartphone connectivity. The vehicle’s built-in software is an important component of the automotive experience, and software updates can refresh a vehicle with new features and services as they become available. With BlackBerry’s new Software Update Management for Automotive service, automakers can easily, securely and cost effectively manage and deliver software updates.

“According to a study Gartner did with U.S. vehicle owners in 2012(1), 40 percent of all U.S. vehicle owners either ‘definitely want to get’ or at least are ‘likely to get’ the ability for wireless software updates in their next new vehicle – making it the third most demanded automotive-centric Web application and function,” said Thilo Koslowski, Vice President, Distinguished Analyst, Gartner.

Through BlackBerry’s OTA service, which provides secure global distribution and is highly scalable to support millions of vehicles, automakers can deliver a number of new capabilities to customers, including software updates, new applications, and the ability to get the status of functional systems in a vehicle.

The development of OTA services is part of BlackBerry’s broader mobile computing strategy. BlackBerry is providing the foundation for a new era of mobile computing by connecting mobile end points securely and creating opportunities for community building, connecting and sharing.

More details about the BlackBerry's OTA solutions will made available in the coming months. For more information, please visit www.blackberry.com/m2m.