Samsung has been teasing prototypes of their new Tizen device to start there severance from Google’s Android platform. Today they have announced the release of the first ever Tizen smartphone the “Samsung Z”. Other than their Gear 2 smartwatch this is the first device they have released using their very own homegrown OS to start moving away from Google and starting their own mobile empire.
It seems Samsung is trying to grow in much the same way Google does with its Android OS. Gaining revenue from the apps that are sold on the Tizen market at 30% of every download could prove an income generator worth the risk assuming Tizen actually sticks. This said they have a lot of work to do if they are going to gain adoption of current Android users without offering the Android market.
While Tizen has been created specifically as Samsung’s internal baby for new devices they have been working on the Tizen software jointly with Intel. What we know so far about the new Samsung Z is it will feature the following:
- 720p HD AMOLED display
- Quad-core 2.3GHz Intel CPU
- 2GB RAM
- 16GB of internal memory
- 8-megapixel camera
- Heartrate sensor and fingerprint scanner
While these are the features we can assume layout to be close to its Galaxy S line of devices with the app drawer, home screen, notification tray and widgets bing pretty much inline.
What we have been told by Samsung so far is that the device will launch in two colors being black and gold on June 3rd at their Tizen Developer conference in San Francisco. Once released it will be available in Russia and surrounding markets first with no confirmation on other markets yet. We have also heard no word on the price or US market releases.
One assumption we can come up with depending on its release price is that in the US they may have trouble since there are so many alternatives available. Samsung has been a top brand when it comes to Android devices although if we learn anything about Samsung’s past they will likely start a war that will hurt if they try to break up with Google too quickly.
Let us know what you think of Tizen and if its something you may actually buy to check out. As we get more information on the new OS based device we will let you know.