Summary: Samsung's proximity and increasing control of Tizen is another reason to avoid Tizen, not just Samsung

LONG before Samsung was really into Linux there were numerous efforts to bring Linux to mobile. It's a shame that one of the largest such efforts is now controlled by Intel/Samsung but officially steered by the Linux Foundation, which is funded by those companies that help Microsoft. By far the biggest player, however, remains Android, which is also based on Linux (some journalists don't seem to know that Android has Linux in it [1] and others overlook the contribution of Alien Dalvik back in MeeGo's days [2]). There are numerous articles about Samsung's adoption of Tizen as an important platform [3-5], but none of them offers a critical take on Samsung's special relationship with Microsoft.

CBS had a lot of coverage regarding the latest Samsung phone [6-8] which increasingly involves the likes of Intel [9]. The coverage in Muktware [10,11] focused on the features and release date, but there too there was no criticism of Samsung, which increasingly imitates the bad side of Apple.

The bottom line is, Samsung has too much control of Tizen and only to a lesser degree of Android. This is not a good thing; Samsung never cared about freedom, instead emphasising DRM and other such negative aspects of technology. This issue merits an open discussion. ⬆

Related/contextual items from the news:

1. Samsung ditches Android for Tizen on Gear 2 smartwatch -- Google loses, Linux wins!

   Tizen has a long road ahead in terms of matching Android in apps or popularity. Quite frankly, that happening is very unlikely. Of course, many would have said BlackBerry was unbeatable years ago, so never say never.





2. Software converts Android apps to Tizen OS -- too bad there's no phone yet

   With a simple click, the Polaris App Generator software is able to wrap an Android APK and convert it to a Tizen OS executable file. This means developers don't have to pour additional resources into manually porting their apps.





3. Tizen devices are HERE.... Hello, Samsung Gear 2 smartwatches

4. Samsung smartwatches run on Tizen

5. Tizen Smartwatches Tip Samsung's Ecosystem-First Strategy

   The long wait for a major Tizen OS device is finally over, and it's a…smartwatch? At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week, Samsung skipped the unveiling of its first Tizen smartphone, and instead rolled out a trio of Tizen-based wrist computers: the Gear 2, Gear Neo, and Gear Fit. Due to ship in April, the devices are lighter and more stylish than Samsung's Android-based Galaxy Gear.





6. Samsung Galaxy S5: Why I'm rooting for the little guys





7. Samsung wants you to make Gear 2 apps, ASAP

   The Korean electronics giant unveiled three new software development kits to make it easy to create programs that work with its new wearables and its Galaxy S5.





8. Samsung Galaxy S5: Evolution, not revolution, but still packs a powerful punch (review)

9. Intel LTE poised to join upcoming Galaxy S5 family





10. Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. Galaxy S5 vs. iPhone 5S

    The much-anticipated Galaxy S5 is finally here! After months of rumors and leaks, Samsung unveiled the successor to the Galaxy S4 at a press conference at Mobile World Conference (MWC) 2014 in Barcelona. Though it’s a minor evolution of the Galaxy S4, the new phone packs a sharp 5.1-inch screen, a faster, 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 16-megapixel camera. Taking cue from the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, the smartphone is also waterproof. It features a new fingerprint scanner similar to the iPhone 5S.





11. Galaxy S5 revealed in all its glory — launches in April

    We’ve waited for this moment for quite some time, but now the S5 has officially been revealed. Samsung’s latest offering comes with a 5.1″ 1920 x 1080p screen, 2GB of RAM, 16 or 32GB of storage plus the ability to host a Micro SD card. Android 4.4.2 is on board as expected, and it sports a 2.5Ghz quad-core Snapdragon process (not sure of 800, 801 or 805).