Apple’s CarPlay technology using BlackBerry subsidiary QNX?

Update: QNX confirmed to us the validity of their statement to N4BB.

Though you presumably won’t see the handset maker’s logo anywhere on your dashboard or in the CarPlay interface, BlackBerry-owned QNX’s software for smartphone and display compatibility is apparently present in Apple’s new automotive technology. Tech site N4BB speculated and later updated (via iDownloadblog) with a statement from QNX that Apple’s existing partnership with the firm extends to implementing compatibility support for Apple CarPlay.

Connectivity to smartphones and other mobile devices is a key strength of QNX Software Systems’ platform for car infotainment systems, and many automakers and tier one automotive suppliers use our platform to implement smartphone/head-unit integration in their vehicles. We have a long-standing partnership with Apple to ensure high-quality connectivity with their devices, and this partnership extends to support for Apple CarPlay.

The move to work with QNX on CarPlay is interesting, not only because of the BlackBerry connection, but also for the approach used to launch CarPlay. Apple, of course, doesn’t manufacture vehicles so the service is dependent on partnerships with automakers, but the apparent QNX relationship on the software and hardware side illustrates Apple’s focus on getting the feature announced at WWDC last June into the hands of users and out of concept rather than building it in-house from the ground up.

Although iOS in the Car was originally announced at WWDC in June of last year, this week has brought an immense amount of news to the technology.

Apple began by announcing the rebranding and redesign of iOS in the Car as CarPlay at the International Motor Show in Geneva. Since then we’ve seen examples from Volvo, Mercedes-Benz (video), and Ferrari.

Our own Mark Gurman reported Apple’s plans for iOS and car integration months ahead of Apple’s unveiling of the feature at WWDC and debut this week. Now, as we see CarPlay implemented in specific models, we’re starting to unpack what the expect from the feature now and going forward.

Unclear is how deep the QNX partnership runs and if its something to which Apple is deeply married. We’ve reached out to QNX for clarification.

As CarPlay matures and adoption expands, it would not be surprising to see Apple want an increasing amount of control.

Expect more discussion on the topic ahead.