Look out, Android: Tizen-based Linux phones coming this year

Major smartphone manufacturer Samsung will release devices this year running an open source Linux-based mobile platform, as it looks to reduce its dependency on Google's Android. The devices will run a version of Tizen, the Intel-backed platform that resides within the Linux Foundation and is designed to offer a consistent user experience across devices (say, between a PC and a mobile device). It is the successor to the now-defunct MeeGo platform. "We plan to release new, competitive Tizen devices within this year and will keep expanding the lineup depending on market conditions," Samsung told Bloomberg, offering no additional details. Samsung has had a vested interest in moving itself away from Android following Google's $12.5 billion acquisition of smartphone maker Motorola. However, even if Tizen manages to take off, don't expect Samsung's Android line to disappear anytime soon. "[Android] is key to the company’s continued success in the mobile market," writes All Things Digital's John Paczkowski. "So expect Tizen to begin as more of a regional play that could evolve into a global one if — if — it gathers the necessary momentum." Still, for those of you thinking ahead, a Tizen SDK is available to play around with, with a final release of Tizen 2.0 expected this month.