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Samsung reportedly launching Tizen-based phones on NTT DoCoMo in 2013
According to Japan's Daily Yomiuri, NTT DoCoMo is partnering with Samsung to develop phones running the open-source Tizen operating system, with the first handsets reaching the market next year. According to the Yomiuri, other mobile carriers are also getting behind the development of Tizen because they "fear the hegemony" of Apple and Google. We've heard about Tizen as far back as September of 2011 -- this Linux-based (and Intel-backed) software came about when Nokia's MeeGo OS bit the dust, and we've already seen evidence of a Tizen-based Galaxy S III.
WiFi Alliance certificate teases Tizen flavored Samsung Galaxy S III
Ever wondered what Samsung's flagship Galaxy S III phone might be like, if it ran another OS? Okay, arguably something along those lines is already under way, but if a curious WiFi Alliance certification entry is to be understood, Tizen might have made its way on to the phone already. The hook here is the product name. The GS III also goes by the less snappy moniker of GT-I9300, and it's the appearance of GT-I9300_TIZEN in the certification list that has got chins wagging. Of course, a stamp from the WiFI Alliance means little out here in the real world, where everything is still looking rather Android, but it doesn't hurt to imagine the Koreans experimenting with idea, and it wouldn't be the first time either.
Linux Foundation forms Automotive Grade Workgroup, aims to open-source your ride with Tizen
It doesn't take much driving to notice that many in-car infotainment systems are custom-built and locked down tight. The Linux Foundation sees it differently and wants our cars to embrace the same notions of common roots and open code that we'd find in an Ubuntu box. Its newly-formed Automotive Grade Linux Workgroup is transforming Tizen into a reference platform that car designers can use for the center stack, or even the instrument cluster. The promise is to both optimize a Linux variant for cars and provide the same kind of years-long support that we'd expect for the drivetrain. Technology heavy-hitters like Intel, Harman, NVIDIA, Samsung and TI form the core of the group, although there are already automakers who've signaled their intentions: Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and Toyota are all part of the initial membership. We don't know how soon we'll be booting into Tizen on the morning commute, but we'd expect in-car systems to take a step forward -- just as long as we don't have to recompile our car's OS kernel.
Samsung becomes a Platinum-level Linux Foundation member, open-source gets a Korean accent
Samsung's business virtually revolves around open-source code and Linux, both through obvious software like Android and Tizen as well as behind-the-scenes code for TVs and even home appliances. It almost shouldn't be a surprise, then, that the company just became a Platinum-level member of the Linux Foundation, giving it much more control over how the platform advances. The favor is being returned in kind, both through a $500,000 cash injection as well as a Samsung pledge to become a better open-source neighbor. Any long-term plans of Samsung's are being kept under wraps, but going to the Platinum tier puts it at a rare level enjoyed only by the likes of core Linux supporters like IBM, Intel and Oracle -- it's even higher than Google.
Tizen OS will run Android apps -- with a little help from third-party software (video)
As Tizen's open-source OS continues to make its first steps into the world, there's some good news for anyone concerned with a weak app line-up. It looks like both Android versions and Samsung's own Bada SDK will be supported through an application compatibility layer (ACL) which works along similar lines to the Android app player on BlackBerry's Playbook. Open Mobile, which is responsible for the ACL, claim it'll have 100 percent compatibility with Google's back catalogue and be just as responsive -- some pretty heady statements. The company wants its program be included on the OEM side of the equation -- this isn't aimed at humble end-user tinkerers. For now, you can check how its ACL fares in a quick video walkthrough after the break. (It's worth noting that the demo tablet isn't running on the Tizen UI -- it looks like we'll have to loiter around for some more hardware.)
Tizen gets play time on Samsung Galaxy S II HD LTE, shows off new features
Slowly but surely, Tizen's picking up momentum. In just the last two weeks we've witnessed version 1.0 of the OS get released, a prototype device made by Samsung, an official pledge of support by Sprint and even a full-out developer's conference. One thing we haven't yet seen, however, is the Linux-based firmware running on an existing Android phone. At the aforementioned convention's keynote, Jong-Deok Cohoi -- EVP of the Tizen Technical Steering Group -- showed off a few more features, such as photo gallery, videos and live calls... on what appears to be a Samsung Galaxy S II HD LTE. This is great news, since it looks like Tizen supports at least some of Sammy's handsets -- in dev guise, at the very least. For now, curious open-source fans should head below to see the full video.
Mobile Miscellany: week of May 7th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Sprint reassured us with optimism for Windows Phone 8, and T-Mobile's CEO found a new partner to continue the fight against Verizon's AWS acquisition. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of May 7th, 2012.
Tizen developer phone appears, complete with 4.3-inch screen and dual-core CPU (video)
Not satisfied by the currently available mobile OS options? Tizen could be your next option, and Samsung just took the wraps off of a prototype device (possibly the GT-I9500 we'd heard about) at the currently ongoing developer's conference in San Francisco. As seen above in still photos taken by Tizen Talk, the developer unit running Tizen 1.0 features a 4.3-inch screen and reportedly contains a dual-core 1.2GHz CPU. There are more details revealed in a seven minute video posted by The Handheld Blog (embedded after the break), showing off a very TouchWiz-inspired experience which while plain and without many of the animations and transitions of polished release-quality software, did appear to run smoothly. The HTML5 apps themselves however, tended to lag a bit, although even at this early stage it showed off quite a bit of built-in support for social services like Facebook, Twitter and Gmail. We should find out more about the coalition's plans over the next few days, for now check out the hands-on video and see if this Linux-based software has any more promise than webOS or the same MeeGo platform it dislodged.
Tizen 1.0 Larkspur arrives, fuels your open-source phone dreams
The unveiling of Tizen left many mobile open-source aficionados wondering when the OS would reach its all-important 1.0 status. The answer is now: the coalition between Intel, Panasonic, Samsung and a raft of carriers has posted the first non-beta release in both source code and software development kit forms. The finished versions of either carry new features to reward developers for the wait: SDK users get a new browser-based simulator and a faster emulator, while those scouring the source code will find new point-of-interest and route searching features in location-aware apps as well as WiFi Direct and more HTML5 support. About the only wait left is for an actual Tizen phone to ship. [Image credit: Realnorth]
Mobile Miscellany: week of February 27th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, we've seen a major shakeup in the world of mobile payments and we were thoroughly teased by Rogers, which launched a curious pre-order promotion for the Lumia 900. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of February 27th, 2012.
Samsung's Bada - Tizen merger still looking pretty likely
Last week, rumors began circulating around Samsung's Bada OS, with Forbes reporting that the platform would soon be merged with Intel's Tizen project. If finalized, the move would reportedly allow Bada apps to run on Tizen, though it remains unclear whether or not a decision has been made yet. On Monday, a company spokesman apparently confirmed these rumors to Reuters, though Samsung later denied these claims, in a statement provided to All Things D: Samsung and other members of Tizen Association have not made a firm decision regarding the merge of bada and Tizen. We are carefully looking at it as an option to make the platforms serve better for customers. As Samsung's essential part of multi-platform portfolio, bada will continue to play an important role in democratizing smartphone experience in all markets. Samsung will also support open source based development and continue to work together with other industry stakeholders.So, um, is it happening? We'll let you know.
Samsung to merge Bada with Tizen: the OS party just got a little freaky
While everyone was watching Windows Phone parting the iOS / Android curtains, no one noticed Bada and Tizen making cheeky eyes at each other. It was rumored Samsung might open-source its featurephone OS, but according to Forbes, it'll now fuse it with the Intel-backed Tizen project. Once the nuptials are complete, it's reported Bada apps will play nice with Tizen -- including full backwards compatibility -- with developers getting a new integrated SDK and API. We're guessing then, that it's the Bada brand getting the chop when the two linux-based systems tie the knot. The spirit of MeeGo, of course, also lives on in Tizen making this one big concept cocktail. One we should see being poured into "at least one or two" Samsung handsets, and eventually other products, sometime this year -- failing any last-minute cold feet.
Tizen OS exposed, apparently running on an unknown Samsung 'I9500'
An outfit called Realnorth, which claims to be frustrated by the lack of openness around the Tizen OS, has gotten its hands on the SDK and released some screenshots to prove it. If legit, they reveal a basic UI that seems to be inspired by a range of other OSs -- in addition to Tizen's progenitor, MeeGo -- while also managing to look a bit uninspired. It's hard to know whether the absence of frills like widgets is due to this being an early build, or whether it's because Tizen is intended as a lower-end OS, but either way it's too early to make any harsh judgement. Curiously, the user-agent used to grab the screenshots is listed as a "Samsung GT-I9500," which at the very least reminds us that there's a Tizen-running Sammyphone somewhere on the horizon. In fact, this could even become Bada 3.0. Update: It turns out the screenshots are indeed legit and come from a "very early preview" of the Tizen OS that is now openly available -- see more coverage at the CNXSoft link below.
Microsoft and Samsung sitting in a tree, patent s-h-a-r-i-n-g
Microsoft put on its nicest suit when it invited Samsung to the patent-licensing barn dance. Whatever it whispered as the two snuggled close during the slow jams about rescuing the Korean giant from the quagmire of Android litigation, it worked. Sammy has entered into a deal to license Redmond's vast patent archive and, if the rumors are to be believed, it will pay $15 per handset sold for the privilege. (No word on if that includes the $45 million in fees that would just cover sales of the Galaxy S II.) This seems like it could be an implicit vote of no-confidence concerning Google's promises that its acquisition of Motorola would make courtroom drama a thing of the past. There's also a strong reference to the pair collaborating on Mango, and we can only assume that it comes with a significantly less punitive licensing charge in place. Between Android, Windows Phone, Bada and Tizen, it's clear Samsung is hedging its operating system bets. There's a press release after the break, but take our word on it, at no point does it mention Steve Ballmer, lying naked on a bed of money, laughing to himself.
MeeGo to be folded into Linux-based Tizen OS, slated to arrive in 2012
The future of Meego has become a little clearer this morning, now that the Linux Foundation has announced that it'll be replaced with Tizen -- a new Linux-based, open-source OS. Samsung and Intel have been tapped to lead the development of the platform, in collaboration with the LiMo Foundation -- a consortium of companies including Panasonic Mobile Communications, NTT DoCoMo and SK Telecom, among others. According to its stewards, Tizen will support HTML5- and WAC-based apps and will be designed to run across a wide spectrum of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, netbooks and in-car infotainment systems. The MeeGo project, for its part, already seems to be on board with the initiative, promising to "make sure that users of MeeGo can easily transition to Tizen," while assisting MeeGo developers, as well. The new OS is slated for release during the first quarter of 2012, with the first Tizen-laced devices scheduled to hit the market around the middle of next year. For more details, hit up the source link below, or trek past the break for the full PR.
