Blackberry 2012 Annual Report Download - page 35

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PRODUCT DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
The Company’s research and development (“R&D”) strategy seeks to provide broad market applications for products derived from its
technology base. As of March 3, 2012, RIM’s research and development team consisted of approximately 6,100 full time employees.
Research and development expense was approximately $1.6 billion in fiscal 2012, compared to $1.4 billion in fiscal 2011.
Efficiencies in board layout and component integration utilizing the latest in High Density Interconnection (“HDI”), component
packaging and attachment technology combined with proprietary software and firmware features allow RIM to customize its core
proprietary hardware designs to address new applications, network protocols and transmission frequencies. RIM’s radio transceiver
technology can be adapted to support multiple protocols in the wireless data communications market, supporting its position as a
primary supplier of wireless and related hardware and software products.
RIM has developed its own radio code stack and incorporates this radio code stack into the processors that are deployed in
BlackBerry smartphones. Additionally, QNX, a subsidiary of RIM, has developed a mobile computing platform utilizing the unique
micro kernel POSIX certified tablet OS. This OS supports the first generation of professional grade BlackBerry PlayBook tablets, and
will become the basis for BlackBerry 10 smartphones, which are currently expected to launch in the latter part of calendar 2012.
The development and support of RIM’s products require several key areas of expertise within RIM to be closely integrated. RIM has
recruited and developed teams with expertise in these required areas and the Company believes that the integration and focus of these
teams provides RIM with a significant competitive advantage. The following chart outlines several of these key areas of expertise
together with their design and user benefits.
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