Intel, Samsung Launch Tizen Project to Compete with Android

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When Nokia left the Symbian and MeeGo fold to move to Microsoft’ s Windows Phone 7 platform, Intel lost a partner in developing Meego. Now, it seems Intel has found an ally in Samsung with the development of another Linux-based Project, codenamed “Tizen.”

Even with the release of Nokia’s first and last MeeGo phone in the N9, the platform is essentially dead, as no other manufacturer is likely to build on the platform. But while Nokia’s erstwhile partner Intel had been shopping for potential MeeGo partners, it seems the chipmaker is likewise abandoning its efforts in MeeGo (which evolved from Maemo and Moblin), and is instead partnering with Samsung for an altogether new mobile operating system: Tizen.

Recall that Samsung is reportedly looking to develop a new operating system, amid criticisms over Google’s hand-hold over Android and the patent issues hounding the OS. It seems like this is it. And it’s not only Samsung that will bear the brunt of building a new OS. It will have support from Intel as a lead development partner, the Linux Foundation as a host, and a handful of other manfacturers and mobile carriers: ACCESS, Panasonic, NEC Casio, NTT DoCoMo, SK Telecom, Telefonica and Vodafone.

Tizen is an open-source, standards-based platform intended for both mobile devices like smartphones, netbooks and tablets, and embedded systems like smart TVs and in-vehicle entertainment systems. Tizen will focus on emerging HTML5 technologies as a mobile app platform. Intel’s support will be through its AppUp developer program. Intel will likewise build a developer framework based on HTML5 and WAC. Tizen will actually be another Linux-derived operating system, and MeeGo stakeholders are already encouraging member manufacturers and developers to make the move to Tizen.

Samsung is serious in its play for a homegrown operating system, even though it will directly rival another major that OS it supports, which is Android. Samsung highlights its multi-platform approach, saying it has been a “core Linux partner,” and that “this is in line with [Samsung's] strategy of supporting many platforms.

Tizen is planned for a 1Q 2012 launch, with initial Tizen devices launching by middle of the year. With another mobile OS in the mix, should the current big players like Apple and Google be worried?