Samsung Recalibrates Tizen Phones for the Low-End

If there were any doubts about Samsung Electronicss ambitions for its homegrown Tizen mobile operating system, it may be time to put them to rest.

The worlds largest handset maker will begin selling its new Tizen smartphone, the Samsung Z1, in India today, marking Samsungs biggest step so far in trying to build a credible alternative to Googles dominant Android operating system.

You could be forgiven for harboring some skepticism. The company first said it would launch a Tizen smartphone in the second half of 2012. Since that failed prophecy, Samsung has said again and again that it was on the verge of releasing a Tizen smartphone capped by a trio of failures to launch last year.

The repeated stumbles have wreaked havoc on the platforms credibility, particularly among developers, who are staying mostly on the sidelines for the new smartphone launch.

That could come back to bite Samsung, despite a workaround that allows Samsung Z1 users to access services like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube without the app makers having had to develop Tizen-specific apps.

Even viable platforms without a critical developer engagement fail, said Roberta Cozza, a research director for Gartner. Samsung in its past software efforts has not shown a good track record with developers community. It has a lot to prove here as an ecosystem owner beyond just a technology leader and limited time given their market challenged position.

As for the device itself, Samsung has recalibrated its new Tizen smartphone once aimed at Japan and France to target the lowest end of the market. At 5,700 Indian rupees ($92), the phone is aimed at consumers who may have never had a bank account, never mind a smartphone.

On many levels, the device is basic ideal for a lightweight operating system like Tizen that isnt necessarily meant to handle heavy-duty tasks. The interface is simple and uncluttered, and is designed to focus on core smartphone functions like phone calls, messaging and photos.

While part of Tizens appeal is its potential role in tying together disparate Samsung products, from washing machines to wearable devices, the Galaxy Z1s specifications arent powerful enough to link to the companys current line of smartwatches.

What it does have, in a similar nod to Samsungs new mid-range smartphone lines, are some select features of its premium phones part of an attempt to set apart the Samsung Z1 from a growing pool of low-end competitors.

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Samsung Recalibrates Tizen Phones for the Low-End