Samsung Confirms Rumors Are True: It Will Release Tizen-Based Smartphones This Year

By Jimmie Geddes email: j.geddes@mobilenapps.com | Jan 07, 2013 02:09 PM EST

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It looks like the rumors of Samsung launching Tizen-based smartphones in 2013 are true, after all. Samsung has confirmed that it will indeed be bringing smartphones based on the open-source, Linux-based operating system it has co-developed with Intel to the market this year. Samsung's confirmation of the rumors sounds like it is giving Google a clear and direct warning message on the possible future of Samsung and Android, or lack thereof.

Samsung's Tizen venture is seen as collaboration effort between Samsung and Intel to release devices to compete with other smartphone manufacturers, especially Motorola, now that it has been acquired by Google. Samsung is concerned that it may see its top position in the Android smartphone world take a decline. It's not a question of if, but when Google begins releasing devices stemming from its acquisition of Motrola Mobility. Intel was late to the smartphone/tablet party and would like to get its chips in as many devices as it can and with Tizen it has secured that deal.

In the statement Samsung gave to Bloomberg it said:

"We plan to release new, competitive Tizen devices within this year and will keep expanding the lineup depending on market conditions."

Tizen is believed to be Samsung's way of reducing its reliance on Google's Android operating system that it has used for years in its smartphones. Samsung isn't placing all its eggs in one basket as it has a strategy of using multiple operating systems it offers on its smartphones. While Android runs on the majority of Samsung's most successful smartphones including the Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, and even its line of Galaxy Tablets to name a few, the smartphone maker also uses Windows Phone and Bada OSes to make smartphones. Samsung is expected to be merging its Bada OS with Tizen as to clearly devote resources to focus on building, enhancing, and maintaining a single platform instead of two.

It is also believed that Tizen picked up more steam and interest by Samsung after Google had acquired Motorola's Mobility Division. Samsung sees this as sort of conflict of interest as Google began Android with the intent of creating the mobile OS for manufacturers, and not getting into the hardware business. It's a sign that Google would no longer just be creating the mobile OS and like Apple, would also release devices running its mobile OS to gain tighter control and possibly reduce "Android fragmentation". While Google hasn't confirmed that it will be releasing hardware through its acquisition of Motorola, it has begun setting the blueprint to do just that by selling its own Nexus branded devices made by OEM's which have included Samsung, LG, and HTC in the past. Samsung should be concerned as the Nexus line has proven to be very successful for Google with devices like the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 tablet, and the Nexus 10 tablet seeing huge sales numbers.

Do you think Tizen is Samsung's warning shot to Google on its future of Android devices or just another way of Samsung diversifying its portfolio of devices? Let us know in the comments. We'd love to hear your thoughts.