BlackBerry Ltd said yesterday that it has created a new unit to house what many consider to be among its most promising assets – cryptographic applications, its QNX embedded software and Project Ion platform for connecting devices.
The smartphone maker, which CEO John Chen is trying to revamp, said Sandeep Chennakeshu will start immediately as president of the BlackBerry Technology Solutions unit. The division will also include a portfolio of 44,000 patents and the Paratek antenna tech company purchased by BlackBerry in 2012.
Chen took the reins last year and has worked to stabilize the struggling handset business that made it a global brand while earning more money from its services and software.
BlackBerry’s QNX software powers its latest phones, but also helps run car infotainment panels, nuclear reactors and massive Internet routers.
The company hopes it will play a major role in the nascent industry forming around the so-called “Internet of things” – the idea that all sorts of static devices could be connected to the Internet in order to send and receive information and commands.
“Combining all these assets into a single business unit led by Sandeep will create operational synergies and new revenue streams, furthering our turnaround strategy,” Chen said in a statement.
