RIM acquires QNX, beefing up in-car audio and "infotainment"

Research in Motion is making a play for the automotive market, announcing today its acquisition of QNX Software Systems from Harman International. QNX brings an open platform operating system to the game and RIM is looking to advance it in the automotive world.

In a statement, RIM President and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said:

RIM is excited about the planned acquisition of QNX Software Systems and we look forward to ongoing collaboration between Harman, QNX and RIM to further integrate and enhance the user experience between smartphones and in-vehicle audio and infotainment systems. In addition to our interests in expanding the opportunities for QNX in the automotive sector and other markets, we believe the planned acquisition of QNX will also bring other value to RIM in terms of supporting certain unannounced product plans for intelligent peripherals, adding valuable intellectual property to RIM's portfolio and providing long-term synergies for the companies based on the significant and complementary OS expertise that exists within the RIM and QNX teams today.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in about 30-45 days. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.