Samsung (News – Alert) recently confirmed that it plans to launch multiple devices in 2013 running the Linux-based mobile OS Tizen.
The official statement from the company was succinct: "We plan to release new, competitive Tizen devices within this year and will keep expanding the lineup depending on market conditions."
As such, details are scarce as to what exactly this new hardware will look like, but Samsung has demonstrated the OS on the Galaxy S II HD LTE in the past. Also, based on Samsung’s wide variety of Android (News – Alert) devices, it’s likely that the company will try to cover every area of the market with devices similar to the Galaxy S III, Galaxy Ace — and maybe even the popular plus-sized Galaxy Note II.
This move may have something to do with Google’s (News
– Alert) acquisition of Motorola in August 2011 — which is unlikely considering Samsung has made two Nexus devices, the Galaxy Nexus smartphone and Nexus 10 teblet, since then — or it may just be a general way for Samsung to reduce its reliance on Google’s Android OS. The Korean electronics manufacturer has had a mobile OS of its own, Bada, for quite some time, but since it failed to capture consumer interest, it was shelved for Tizen.
Tizen is an open-source mobile operating system that is led by both Samsung and Intel (News
– Alert) and, as such, it supports both Intel and ARM processors. Tizen’s primary feature, though, is the fact that its SDK and API allow developers to use HTML5 to write applications for it. Tizen can also be used for tablets, GPS devices, netbooks, smart TVs and in-vehicle infotainment devices.
Tizen has been gaining momentum for some time with more companies joining the Tizen Association, including big names like Huawei, NEC CASIO, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, Panasonic Mobile Communications, SK Telecom, Telefónica and Vodafone (News
– Alert).
Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO Miami 2013, Jan 29- Feb. 1 in Miami, Florida. Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO. Follow us on Twitter.
Edited by
Rachel Ramsey