Samsung is distancing itself further from Google's Android platform with the launch of the world's first Tizen smartphone.
Earlier
this year, its Samsung Gear 2 became the first smartwatch to run the
Linux-based software, and now it has unveiled the Samsung Z - a
4.8-inch device that will directly compete with Google's range.
It will
go on sale in Russia from July this year, before being launched in
other markets - although Samsung did not confirm which countries were
set to get the device, or how much it will cost.
Samsung has unveiled its first phone to run the
Tizen operating system, called the Samsung Z (pictured). It will launch
in Russia from July this year, and boasts, among other features, a
fingerprint and heart rate sensor. Tizen is seen as a direct competitor
to Google's Android platform
The new smartphone will be unveiled Tuesday at the Tizen Developer Conference in San Francisco.
Most
of Samsung's devices, including its flagship Galaxy S smartphones,
currently use a skinned version of the Android operating system.
This means the software runs on Android, but Samsung adds its own design, menus and tools for use on its own devices.
SAMSUNG Z SPECIFICATIONS
Display
4.8” HD Super AMOLED (1280 x 720)
Processor
2.3GHz Quad core application processor
Operating System
Tizen 2.2.1
Memory
RAM: 2GB
Internal Memory: 16GB, microSD slot up to 64GB
Dimensions
5.4 x 2.7 x 0.3 inches (138.2 x 69.8 x 8.5 millimetres)
Weight
136 grams (0.3 pounds)
Battery
2600mAh
Camera
8 megapixel (rear), 2.1 megapixel (front)
Camera Features
Mini mode
Quick Shot
Best Photo
Drama
Panorama
Dual Camera
Other features
Ultra Power Saving Mode
Download Booster
S Health 3.0
Colour theme customisation
Fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint scanner
Heart rate sensor
The
electronics giant has tried for years to strengthen its mobile software
business as a genuine complement to its mighty device-making operations.
Its
first homegrown operating system - the 2009 software named Bada -
largely flopped following a lukewarm response from app developers.
Samsung
worked with Intel, and other tech firms to develop the Linux-based
Tizen platform, which is open-source - meaning hardware manufacturers
that use it can freely tinker with the interface.
Tizen
is the platform for Samsung's Gear 2 smartwatch launched in February,
but the Samsung Z will be the first phone to use the operating system.
It
can run Android apps when used with certain software elements, but
Samsung is hoping developers will create native Tizen apps, too.
'The
Samsung Z integrates the power and adaptability of the Tizen platform,
enabling users to browse the web faster and utilize applications more
effectively,' D.J. Lee, Samsung's head of global sales and marketing
said in a statement.
Samsung
made more than 30 per cent of all smartphones sold in the world last
year, nearly twice the share of its archrival Apple.
The move to Tizen is seen as being an attempt to unify an operating system across Samsung's devices.
With Tizen already used on its smartwatches, its understood the company was keen to get phones running it as well.
The
operating system is also thought to provide better support for the
HTML5 web language, which is increasingly becoming more popular among
developers building websites.
'The Tizen platform delivers a fast, optimal performance with improved memory management,' Samsung wrote on its blog.
'The Tizen-based Samsung Z offers a faster startup time and immediate multi-tasking capabilities.
'The
Samsung Z fully supports superb 2D and 3D graphic qualities, smoother
scrolling and an improved rendering performance for web browsing.
'Users will also be able to enjoy safe and secure privacy protection using the built-in fingerprint sensor.'
And the company added an Ultra Power Saving Mode keeps the phone operational even when battery levels are at a minimum.
Other
features, including the heart rate sensor found on the back of the
phone, have been tried and tested on previous phones such as the Samsung
Galaxy S4.
Meanwhile,
in an attempt to get developers on board with Tizen, Samsung said it
will have a special promotional programme for one year for developers on
its own native app store.
Samsung already uses
the Tizen operating system on its Gear 2 smartwatch (pictured). The
release of a phone running Tizen is seen as an attempt to unify the
operating system between its various devices. Tizen also runs using
HTML5, the popular web language of choice over Java and Flash
The vast majority of Samsung's current
smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S3 (pictured), run Google's
Android Platform. Tizen will be Samsung's first attempt at irunning a
unique operating since Bada, which launched in 2009 but flopped after
receiving a lukewarm response from developer
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