QNX Software Systems, a specialist in software platforms for in-car infotainment and telematics systems, announced a new solution the HTML5 SDK for the QNX CAR 2 application platform. Automotive mobile app developers can leverage its features to spruce up the car infotainment market with new offerings.

Officials explained that the new solution is an extension of the open source BlackBerry (News – Alert) WebWorks framework that suits automotive applications. Developers can write, test and package automotive apps based on HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript and so on.

“HTML5 has become a lingua franca, allowing app developers to target all the major mobile platforms. But until now, automakers have been unable to tap into this rich vein of apps, content, and developer talent. The HTML5 SDK for the QNX CAR 2 application platform changes all that,” said Andy Gryc, automotive product marketing manager, QNX Software Systems.

The specialized APIs include JavaScript classes that can access the HVAC, GPS, multimedia, and other services offered by the QNX CAR 2 application platform. Developers can use an emulator in the solution to hasten app development.

The emulator also helps perform JavaScript debugging, HTML DOM inspection, automated testing, and screen-resolution emulation, from a Web browser itself, eliminating the need for a real car or infotainment system.

If there is a need to make changes, developers must edit their source code and refresh the browser. Mobile developers are already comfortable working with the simulator, which is based on the open source BlackBerry Ripple emulator, said officials.

“Now, mobile developers and automakers can begin engaging with one another in a meaningful way, through a common platform and through the same open standards that have done so much to accelerate the rapid development and rich user experiences of mobile platforms,” Gryc added.

QNX Software Systems licensed its software technology so that it can be used in in-vehicle systems such as digital instrument clusters, hands-free systems, multimedia head units, connectivity modules and 3D navigation systems.

The company also announced that it is working with NVIDIA to deliver advanced infotainment solutions to the automotive market. The companies will integrate support for the NVIDIA Tegra processor into the QNX CAR 2 application platform.

The Tegra processor is a system-on-a-chip solution featuring a quad-core ARM (News – Alert) CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce GPU, and dedicated audio, video and image processors.