Samsung's much-rumored open-source mobile operating system, Tizen, will reportedly make its debut soon, according to a new report.
The purported Samsung Tizen mobile OS has starred in various rumors and reports so far, but nothing has materialized yet. The latest news, however, claims that the first Tizen-based smartphone is finally ready to hit store shelves soon.
On Wednesday, April 16, Samsung told Reuters that its first Tizen-powered smartphone will make its debut toward the end of the second quarter. The device will reportedly be a high-end handset that could go up against flagship smartphones running Google's popular Android operating system. The company will reportedly launch a mid-range offering as well, but it will arrive sometime later this year.
Samsung reportedly aims to build its own ecosystem around the upcoming Tizen OS, looking to reduce its heavy reliance on Android. Although Samsung also makes Windows Phone handsets, most of its mobile devices rely on Android. Moreover, Reuters also notes that the company wants challenge the "mobile software duopoly" Android and iOS currently hold by drawing revenue from sales of third-party apps and services used on its devices.
While Tizen was highly-anticipated a while back, however, expectations have dramatically lowered as the company faced several delays in product launches. Yoon Han-kil, senior vice president of Samsung's product strategy team, told Reuters that Android still needs to be Samsung's "main business," while Tizen or Windows Phone will serve as alternatives for markets that Android could not win over.
"We have tried to launch (Tizen) with DoCoMo and Orange ... but couldn't because of poor market conditions. We have changed our strategy and will release the phones in a few countries where we can do well," Yoon explained, noting that in his opinion Tizen would need to account for up to 15 percent of Samsung's total smartphone shipments in order to be relevant and successful as a mobile platform.
The first Tizen smartphone, i.e. the higher-end model set to launch toward the end of the second quarter, will reportedly be aimed "at the middle of the market to drive volume growth."
Yoon provided little details otherwise on the Tizen launch, as he has yet to mention what Tizen-based smartphones will hit the market, which carriers will be on board, and what countries will get the handsets. The company is expected to offer more details soon. In the meantime, those who would like to try out the Tizen OS can already do so, as it is running on Samsung's Gear 2 smartwatch. Yoon further told Reuters that Samsung will also launch an Android-based smartwatch sometime later this year.
