The Linux Foundation and Intel have finally ditched MeeGo – the hapless operating system which was unceremoniously dropped by Nokia earlier this year.
However, Santa Clara has little intention of ending its support for open source software, as the corporation is now helping to promote and develop Tizen, a new HTML5-centric operating system.
According to MeeGo rep Imad Sousou, the future essentially belongs to HTML5-based applications.
“We are firmly convinced that our investment needs to shift toward HTML5. [Yet], shifting to HTML5 doesn’t just mean slapping a web runtime on an existing Linux, even one aimed at mobile, as MeeGo has been,” Sousou wrote in an official blog post.
“Emphasizing HTML5 means that APIs not visible to HTML5 programmers need not be as rigid, and can evolve with platform technology and can vary by market segment.”
As expected, Tizen is slated to reside within the Linux Foundation, where it will be governed by a Technical Steering Group composed of Intel and Samsung.
Although an Intel spoksperson acknowledged the OS market was somewhat “challenging,” the rep told TG Daily that Tizen is backed by major mobile Linux proponents and will be a “viable” open source alternative.
“The new platform builds upon LiMo and MeeGo to deliver a complete cross-device, open source software platform and Intel believes this will result in broader, stronger ecosystem support from leading service providers and OEMs,” the rep explained.
“We will also be working with our MeeGo partners to help them transition to Tizen.”
Much like MeeGo, the Tizen project is expected to support multiple device categories, including tablets, netbooks, handsets, smart TV and in-vehicle infotainment systems.
The initial release of Tizen is scheduled for Q1’2012, with the first devices projected to hit the market by mid-2012.
