NOVI, MICHIGAN–(Marketwired – June 8, 2016) – TU-Automotive Detroit Conference – QNX Software Systems Limited, a subsidiary of BlackBerry Limited (TSX:BB)(NASDAQ:BBRY), today announced the latest addition to its portfolio of automotive safety products, the QNX® Platform for Instrument Clusters.

Digital instrument clusters constitute one of the fastest-growing segments in automotive electronics. Using sophisticated 2D and 3D graphics, these devices can display traditional instrument cluster information, such as speed and RPM, as well as rich, context-sensitive information supplied by other vehicle subsystems, including turn-by-turn directions, local speed limits, rearview camera video and collision warnings. According to Strategy Analytics, the combined demand for hybrid and fully digital instrument clusters will increase from 8.7 million units in 2015 to 42.2 million by 2023.

With deployments in over 60 million cars, QNX has become the leading software supplier for vehicle infotainment systems. Since 2009, QNX technology has also been powering digital instrument clusters in vehicle brands such as Alfa Romeo, Audi, Corvette, Jaguar and Range Rover. The QNX Platform for Instrument Clusters builds on this expertise to help customers create cluster solutions that offer a superior user experience while satisfying stringent safety requirements.

With the new platform, QNX now offers a comprehensive solution for instrument cluster developers, which includes:

• The QNX OS for Safety, an ISO 26262-certified OS and toolchain that supports all of the automotive safety integrity levels, from ASIL A to ASIL D, required for clusters and other critical vehicle systems
• A 2D/3D graphics framework that is based on OpenGL and is set to be certified for use in clusters that comply with the ISO 26262 functional safety standard
• A software framework that protects safety-critical cluster functions from interference by other software components, enabling greater reliability and easier system-level certification
• A reference implementation, with source code, that gives developers a jumpstart on building fully digital instrument clusters

To pre-qualify the platform’s graphics framework to the ISO 26262 standard, QNX Software Systems is working closely with TÜV Rheinland, a world leader in functional safety assessments.

“We are seeing growing interest in ISO 26262, which has emerged worldwide as a leading standard for automotive functional safety, especially in the software domain,” said Heinz Gall, Head of the Functional Safety & Security Business Unit of TÜV Rheinland. “As a world leader in functional safety assessment, we support automotive companies to help them develop a safety culture and adopt best-in-class safety practices. The QNX Neutrino OS was the first realtime OS we assessed to ISO 26262 ASIL D as a Safety Element out of Context, and we will extend our collaboration with QNX Software Systems into the new domain of graphics software for instrument clusters.”

“QNX OS technology and i.MX applications processors from NXP® offer a production-proven combination for digital instrument clusters. We are excited to support the QNX Platform for Instrument Clusters with our i.MX 6 series and future i.MX 8 series hardware platforms,” said Ron Martino, Vice President, i.MX Applications Processors and Advanced Technology Adoption, NXP Semiconductors. “Together, our offerings can address the safety-critical requirements of digital clusters, while offering bleeding-edge 3D and 2D graphics that enable unique driving experiences.”

To further accelerate development, the QNX Platform for Instrument Clusters will support application design tools from members of the QNX automotive ecosystem, such as Crank Software’s Storyboard Suite, DiSTI Corporation’s GL Studio, Elektrobit’s EB GUIDE, and Rightware’s Kanzi® UI software. This rich selection of tools will enable customers to choose the UI technologies and design approaches that best address their project requirements.

“QNX has become an automotive leader by offering comprehensive, one-stop solutions that allow customers to focus on differentiation and time-to-market, rather than on low-level integration efforts,” said John Wall, Senior Vice President and Head of QNX Software Systems. “The new QNX Platform for Instrument Clusters brings this proven approach to the digital cluster market, enabling faster development and helping customers reduce the effort and risk of qualifying their end-products to safety standards such as ISO 26262.”

Availability

The QNX Platform for Instrument Clusters is scheduled to be available to select customers under an early access program, starting in August 2016.

QNX Demos and Presentations at TU-Automotive Detroit

• Demos – Visit Booth C95 to experience QNX Software Systems’ latest innovations for acoustics, ADAS, automotive security, digital instrument clusters, infotainment, and V2X.
• Presentation – Thomas Bloor, automotive business development manager at QNX, will discuss the growing need for platforms that can eliminate software fragmentation in next-generation vehicles. June 8, 2:10 p.m.
• Panel – Yi Zheng, product manager for safety products at QNX, will participate in the panel “The Software-First Car of the Future.” June 8, 5:50 p.m.

About QNX Software Systems

QNX Software Systems Limited, a subsidiary of BlackBerry Limited, is a leading provider of operating systems, middleware, development tools, and professional services for connected embedded systems. Global leaders such as Audi, Siemens, General Electric, Cisco, and Lockheed Martin depend on QNX technology for their in-car electronics, medical devices, industrial automation systems, network routers, and other mission- or life-critical applications. Visit www.qnx.com and follow @QNX_News on Twitter. For updates on the company’s automotive work, follow @QNX_Auto and visit qnxauto.blogspot.com.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry is securing a connected world, delivering innovative solutions across the entire mobile ecosystem and beyond. We secure the world’s most sensitive data across all end points – from cars to smartphones – making the mobile-first enterprise vision a reality. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry operates offices in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The Company trades under the ticker symbols “BB” on the Toronto Stock Exchange and “BBRY” on the NASDAQ. For more information, visit www.BlackBerry.com.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend”, “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by BlackBerry Limited (and/or any of its subsidiaries) in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that BlackBerry believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause BlackBerry’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of BlackBerry’s Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on BlackBerry’s (and/or any of its subsidiaries’) forward-looking statements. BlackBerry has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

BlackBerry, QNX, QNX CAR, Momentics, Neutrino, and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of BlackBerry Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. QNX Software Systems Limited and/or BlackBerry are not responsible for any third-party products or services.

BlackBerry Investor Relations
(519) 888-7465
[email protected]