BlackBerry has launched its Internet of Things (IoT) platform, which will initially be targeted at businesses in transport-related industries, alongside an upgrade to its BBM mobile messaging platform that will see it work with Android Wear smartwatches.
The IoT platform will combine the BlackBerry’s QNX platform, which powers millions of embedded devices such as cars, industrial parts and medical appliances, with the company’s secure network infrastructure and device lifecycle management software.
The platform, unveiled at the International CES trade show in Las Vegas, will initially feature asset tracking and connected car tracking, including maintenance records and device lifecycle management. It provides data visualisation and can be used to provide over the air (OTA) software updates, application enablement and log collection.
After initially being aimed at industries such as transport and shipping, BlackBerry said it plans to expand its IoT platform to cover additional industries, including smart energy and healthcare.
The company’s QNX platform and its BES platform is also set to be integrated with a new device, called the NantHealth HBox, which can be used to securely capture and transmit medical data between hospitals and remote doctors or patients.
On a different front, BlackBerry is rolling out an upgrade to its BBM messaging app for Android that will see it work with Android Wear smartwatches. When installed, Android Wear devices will show notifications and previews of new BBM messages, the ability to respond through Google Now or accept invites directly from a smartwatch.
Andrew Sadauskas is a former journalist at SmartCompany and a former editor of TechCompany.
