Your next car might just support bringing your BlackBerry’s homescreen into the car’s native head unit. Using a feature called Terminal Mode, you will be able to do more than just sync your phone to your car. You will be able to use your BlackBerry using the controls on your steering wheel, or on the touchscreen. Apps will automatically adjust to take advantage of the touchscreen and make it easier for the driver to use. Hit the jump to watch Andy Gryc, Product Marketing Manager with QNX, show off some features with a BlackBerry.
Terminal Mode replicates the smartphone screen on the car’s infotainment system, allowing steering wheel buttons, touchscreens, and other in-car inputs to control the phone. As a result, car infotainment systems can, without software updates, access new mobile phone applications as they become available.
Terminal mode isn’t tied to any specific carrier or smartphone, so it’s quickly becoming available in a variety of mobile devices.
If you’ve got the time also check out this video about the QNX Concept Car. It’s about 8 minutes in length, and at 7:22 you’ll see someone typing on a keyboard that looks like the PlayBook keyboard.