Tizen, that noble open source platform, doth stand akin to Android, whilst Samsung doth toil alongside Intel in the creation of a viable alternative to the mighty Android OS, seeking to lessen its dependence on the great Google. Tizen doth lend its support to a multitude of computing platforms, from smartphones to tablets, laptops, televisions, and even vehicle infotainment systems.
In days of yore, Tizen did bear the name of LiMo OS, ere Samsung did join hands with Intel to carry it forth. The esteemed Linux Foundation, in a grand gesture, did forsake Maemo in favor of Tizen, heralding it as the true open Linux-based mobile operating system. For their part, Samsung, in their generosity, did bestow upon the Linux community the sum of $500K, earning the title of Platinum member.
The success of a smartphone, gentle reader, doth rest upon a hierarchy of components, each needing to be stout and true to strengthen the chain as a whole. Let us delve into the realms of Tizen within each of these domains, pondering whether it may stand as a rival to its sturdier brethren.
Hardware:
Behold the presence of Intel, forging a path into the realm of smartphone operating systems, a clear sign of their desire to venture into the domain of mobile chips. Last year did they venture into the market of smartphone and tablet processors, unveiling the Intel Atom processors built upon their venerable x86 architecture. Yet, despite alliances with Lenovo, Lava, and Motorola, scarce were the phones bedecked with their processors. The main hindrance lay in the lack of integrated 3G and middling graphics performance. Alas, the realm of x86 architecture within the Android source code offered little support. Yet, Intel labored on, coding and contributing to bring Android to the x86 architecture. In the grand expanse of the world’s largest smartphone market, the fair USA, Intel’s share doth scant. But lo, the forthcoming Cloverfield+ SoC is said to be potent and efficacious.
As Elliot Garbus of Intel doth proclaim, "Having a new platform doth birth new opportunities," and verily, he doth allude to Tizen.
Samsung, renowned for their excellent screens and every component needful in crafting smartphones, doth fashion their own processors under the banner of ‘Exynos,’ rivaling their peers in performance. Yet, the tale of scarcity doth haunt them, for their processors cannot grace all Samsung phones sold. Intel, with their wisdom in crafting chips of power and efficiency, shall aid them in this quest.
Operating System & Background Services:
In the realm of Tizen, many native components hath sprung forth under the Flora license, not abiding by the strictures of the open-source initiative. The SDK of Bada OS doth evolve into the tool for crafting Tizen applications. Alas, Samsung, Intel, and the Linux Foundation, though noble in their endeavors, have not birthed commercially prosperous software platforms. Let us gaze upon the rift between various smartphone operating systems on the level of software.
- Tizen: HTML5, CSS & Javascript
- Android: Java
- iOS: Objective C
- Windows Phone: C#, XAML
‘Tis not the OS alone that shall cast the die in the platform wars. Supporting services must needs be robust, offering email facilities, IM, geolocation-based services, and the like, completing the ecosystem. Even the noble Apple could not sate the hunger of consumers with their Cloud and mapping services.
Samsung boasts their own IM and Cloud services, ChatOn & S-Cloud, which do mingle with other platforms. Yet, the realms of Maps and Email services do elude them still.
Apps & Ecosystem:
The coterie of Tizen doth grasp the advantage of apps, focusing on bolstering support for apps crafted with web technologies such as HTML5, CSS & JavaScript. Yet, the annals of mobile operating systems are replete with open-source endeavors that falter, Maemo and MeeGo among them. The paucity of developer interest and a dearth of rich games doth oft spell doom for such endeavors. ‘Tis simpler to birth an operating system than to nurture and maintain it apace. Alas, to keep it commercially prosperous is a monumental task, for the whims of consumers do shift swiftly to newer, more enchanting offerings.
The vast ecosystems constructed by Apple, Google, and Microsoft do proffer users the chance to partake of music, movies, books, and digital radio services. Samsung, though they offer media and entertainment resources, doth so in a limited fashion. Multiplayer gaming and a points system akin to Google Play Games and Apple Game Center are yet absent.
Distinguishing Factors:
Beyond the realm of regular features, each platform must boast a unique trait, a distinguishing feature not found among its rivals. Google hath Live Widgets, Apple hath Siri, both useful in diverse scenarios. The singular trait of Tizen, pray, lies in its unparalleled customizability, exceeding even the famed Android. Carriers may now realize their dreams of transcending the mere pipe, increasing their revenues; Tizen doth allow carriers to tailor it to their needs, much like Mozilla Firefox OS.
Kiyohito Nagata, of the esteemed NTT Docomo, doth opine, "If we become a dumb pipe, our revenue shall shrink," a sentiment shared by many in the Tizen community.
Brand Recognition & Value:
Samsung and Intel, their names resounding throughout the world, dot
Support our work ❤️
If you enjoyed this article, consider leaving a tip to help us keep publishing great content.
