QNX Software Systems, a provider of operating systems and middleware for the in-car telematics and infotainment market, announced that it will demonstrate in-vehicle mobile office integration of Bluetooth-enabled smartphones in the BMW Z4 Roadster at the Consumer Electronics Show.

The new system is designed to make it possible for drivers to use smartphones safely and conveniently during their car journey.

The new BMW ConnectedDrive system, powered by QNX software technology, is the first to give drivers access to e-mail messages from Bluetooth-connected BlackBerry (News - Alert) phones, according to company officials. The messages appear on the BMW iDrive display when the car is stationary. When the vehicle is in motion, drivers can listen to messages by pressing a button.

The integration of e-mail and text messaging into BMW ConnectedDrive utilizes the new Bluetooth Message Access Protocol (MAP). The new capabilities are designed to make using smartphones in BMW vehicles safer and more convenient, company officials added.

The BMW ConnectedDrive System is based on the QNX Neutrino Realtime Operating System. It also incorporates the QNX multimedia suite, providing seamless integration with smartphones, media players, USB drives, and other mobile devices.

“BMW has been a long-time pioneer in bringing communications and connectivity to cars. And with the new mobile messaging functionality in BMW ConnectedDrive, it is once again leading the way,” said Derek Kuhn, vice president, sales and marketing at QNX Software Systems, in a statement. “QNX is pleased to continue to work alongside BMW in breaking new ground in car connectivity and to provide the real-time infotainment platform that makes ConnectedDrive’s advanced features possible.”

QNX Software Systems has licensed its software to over 20 million in-vehicle systems worldwide, including digital instrument clusters, hands-free systems, multimedia head units, connectivity modules, and 3D navigation systems.

The QNX Neutrino RTOS is the backbone of the QNX CAR Application Platform. The QNX Neutrino RTOS accelerates the prototyping and productizing of in-vehicle systems through a new business model and an array of pre-integrated technologies, company officials said.

QNX Software Systems recently announced that Audi has chosen QNX Neutrino operating system as the software platform for Audi's next-generation high-end infotainment system.

The new infotainment system will leverage several QNX technologies, including the QNX multimedia suite, which provides seamless integration with smartphones, media players, USB drives, and other mobile devices, company officials said.