Samsung Electronics Co., the world’s largest manufacturer of Android powered smartphone devices, appears to be veering away from Google’s operating system by pushing forward with their own open-source OS Tizen. Fragmentation has been a constant issue with Android and Tizen hopes to solve this issue by incorporating and connecting multiple device ecosystems.

What is Tizen?

Tizen is an open-source operating system that addresses the needs of an ecosystem that includes “device manufacturers, mobile operators, application developers and independent software vendors”. Technologies such as in-vehicle infotainment, mobile, television and wearables become interconnected when powered by Tizen. Whether a device manufacturer wants to modify one profile  or even use the shared infrastructure to fit the exact needs of a device, every device will share the OS’s components equally without the hassle of leaving some services out much like Google Play Services does to non-conforming systems.

The focus with Tizen is to showcase its optimal performance and improved memory management. The operating system is based on the Linux Kernel, which is the “most basic command codes that can be built upon to create software”. Developers will find a lot of flexibility when it comes to coding applications with C++ and HTML5 supported tools and frameworks.

Is There Support?

Since the Tizen OS has HTML5 support, many companies have decided to take a chance and create development incentive programs. Bigger names such as Cocos2d-x, Intel XDK and YoYo Games are on this list and are helping push Tizen to become more popular. Unity, Sencha and Appcelerator have also partnered with Tizen to support the growing OS.

Samsung Z

Samsung has had a lot of success with their Android powered devices. The Samsung Z is the first smartphone being released to the public with the Tizen operating system. To be released in the third quarter of 2014, the Samsung Z smartphone looks to reduce the dependence on Android and pushes for developers to create applications that are easy to release across multiple technologies using their profiles.

Being a developer-friendly operating system will be a key element for Tizen. To fully develop into a leader in terms of operating systems, developers will have to find a way to be innovative and prove that platform and store fragmentation are a thing of the past. Only time will tell but there is always a chance that Samsung can take a small slice of the money-making pie from Apple and Google.

For more information on the Tizen OS or if you are a prospective device manufacturer and/or application developer, visit the Tizen website. There you can find the SDK for download along with the Application and Developer sites.