Free Republic

High-end device expected as early as August Samsung may be making big Android bucks, but it's also working to wean itself off Google's mobile OS at the same time.Samsung launched its new Galaxy S4 smartphone this week, but the company isn't putting all its eggs in Android's basket, revealing plans for additional high-end devices running the open-source Tizen platform.Bloomberg reported Thursday that Samsung Electronics Co. plans to parlay its success with Android into a rival operating system viewed as less restrictive than Google's own.Known as Tizen, the open-source platform is being developed by Samsung and 11 partners - including Intel...

Japan gets first dibs Samsung will launch its first Tizen-based smartphone next year and Japanese consumers will get a taste of the new OS first. According to a Japanese daily, the new device will be sold through NTT Docomo and other carriers, starting at some point in 2013. European carriers are also interested in Tizen, including Vodafone and France Telecom.Samsung apparently hopes to build a platform around Tizen, to rival the likes of Apple and Google. High hopes to say the least, but then again we are already hearing rumours of an X phone from Motorola’s skunk works, which is apparently...