Plans smartphones based on Tizen OS this year
Samsung is planning to launch Tizen operating system (OS) powered smartphones in 2013, with support from Intel.
Samsung said in a statement: "We plan to release new, competitive Tizen devices within this year and will keep expanding the line-up depending on market conditions."
The launch of new smartphones follow Samsung's move to reduce its dependence on Google's Android OS after the Internet search firm acquired Motorola Mobility for $12.5bn in May 2012.
Samsung also has its own smartphone platform in the form of Bada, though devices operating on that OS have proved to be less popular.
Tizen is a Linux-based OS that emerged after the end of Nokia's MeeGo platform. While Intel and Samsung have taken over further development of Tizen, the Linux Foundation has been involved in supervising the project. The new OS is being projected as a strong competitor to Android.
Even though Samsung has designs for development of Tizen, it is expected that Android and Windows Phone will continue to be a major element of its mobile product blend for the forseeable future.
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