Samsung confirms it will sell Tizen-based smartphones
Samsung plans to sell handsets featuring the Tizen operating system this year. The Korean firm's move is due to Samsung's wish to lessen its reliance on Google's Android operating system, according to Bloomberg.
Samsung confirmed it would sell handset models featuring the operating system, issuing an emailed statement:
"We plan to release new, competitive Tizen devices within this year and will keep expanding the lineup depending on market conditions."
The firm has not yet disclosed any specifics when it comes to compatible models, prices or time frames outside of the next twelve months, but it may be that as California-based Google continues its push into the mobility market, Samsung -- the world's largest seller of Android-based smartphone models -- wishes to lessen its reliance and dependancy on the tech giant's operating system. An alternative OS Samsung has a hand in developing, such as Tizen, could help the firm achieve this goal.
In late December, Japanese publication the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that NTT Docomo -- the country's largest mobile communications firm -- had partnered with Samsung in order to release a Tizen device at the Mobile World Congress in February this year. Citing undisclosed sources, the publication said the ultimate aim of the venture was to form a business group that will rival Google and Apple, as well as bring back Docomo customers who have been leaving in their droves as the company does not offer iPhones.
Tizen is an open-source operating system which is based on Linux, coming into being after the demise of Nokia's MeeGo. After acquiring development partners including Microsoft, Samsung and Intel, the OS has become an alternative solution to operating systems such as Android or Apple's iOS. Overseen by the Linux Foundation, the operating system was considered to be more open, although there are a number of restrictions in place to stop tampering with the underlying platform.
Tizen can also be used to run tablets and television sets -- something Samsung may be keen on considering its Smart TV evolution kit development and research into improving the interactivity of television sets.