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

[dalum]

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

 

[mjhpadi]

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

 

[BiGMaC]

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]

Ford should use Mac OSX.

 

[yowen]

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

 

[kbeck59]

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]

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]

GIYF ≠true

 

[FracaSHO]

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]

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]

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]

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!

 

[4DRHTRD]

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.

 

[kbeck59]

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]

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.

 

[yowen]

I actually find the Touch system in my 2010 more intuitive to use than the MFT system in my dads car or the '13 Taurus I tested out. The '13's definitely look more polished and I'm sure given enough time I would be happy with either.

BUT, based on how easy both android and iOS phones are to use, how fluid the OS is and customizable it is, I can see that infotainment systems in most cars I've used are far behind what they should be.

I don't think, from what I've been reading in this thread that a blackberry based OS could be such a bad thing, it's up to Ford to give it a polished look and to ensure it is as responsive as ANY modern touch screen device, which my 2010 or even an MFT equipped car is NOT.

 

[dalum]

Ford could really just clone the current UI and we could end up exactly where we are now.

What REALLY needs to happen either way is a method to build are own screens with the layout, theme, and functionality an individual would want.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[yowen]

Ford could really just clone the current UI and we could end up exactly where we are now.

What REALLY needs to happen either way is a method to build are own screens with the layout, theme, and functionality an individual would want.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That get's tricky, because it can quickly get too complicated for the average user. But to some extent being able to customize would be an amazing feature. Colors, screens, what's on the homescreen, which apps you want, etc. etc. Perhaps Ford could keep it simple and allow you to hit a checkbox for advanced mode to open up more options.

 

[BiGMaC]

That get's tricky, because it can quickly get too complicated for the average user. But to some extent being able to customize would be an amazing feature. Colors, screens, what's on the homescreen, which apps you want, etc. etc. Perhaps Ford could keep it simple and allow you to hit a checkbox for advanced mode to open up more options.

yea, Like the "Advanced" button we're used to seeing in our computers

 

[kbeck59]

Ford could really just clone the current UI and we could end up exactly where we are now.

What REALLY needs to happen either way is a method to build are own screens with the layout, theme, and functionality an individual would want.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That get's tricky, because it can quickly get too complicated for the average user. But to some extent being able to customize would be an amazing feature. Colors, screens, what's on the homescreen, which apps you want, etc. etc. Perhaps Ford could keep it simple and allow you to hit a checkbox for advanced mode to open up more options.

This is precisely why I and so  many others love  Android OS , it is so highly customizeable  ; particularily If you are brave enough to get under the hood of your device and root it to run custom ROM's.