Operating Systems

Google Tailors Android for Wearables

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Android already powers a number of smartwatches, but now Google announces a version of OS tailored specifically for such devices-- the perhaps self-explanatory Android Wear.

Android WearAs seen in a typically slick demo video, Android Wear pushes location-based data from smartphones to smartwatches together with the usual bevy of message and social network notifications. It features a Google Now-style UI users and allows natural language input via the "OK Google" prompt.

According to Google it also handles functions such as health tracking and connectivity with other devices, such as summoning a playlist from a mobile device or pushing a video to a TV, while being extremely power efficient.

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More Companies Join Tizen

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The Tizen Association gets 15 more Partner Program members, adding the support of mobile game publishers, operators, developers, mobile software vendors and telcos to the nascent operating system.

TizenLaunched back in November 2013, the Partner Program counts 36 members. Recent additions include AccuWeather, Baisu, CloudStreet, Gamevil, Sprint and ZTE, among others.

Tizen Association members can join relevant working groups and take part in association meetings to gain more access, insight and input into Tizen OS development.

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Samsung finds "Superman" for Tizen?

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The Wall Street Journal reports Samsung has a "Superman" to help it push the nascent Tizen platform-- Li Ka-shing, owner of the Hutschison Whampoa business empire and reportedly the richest man in Asia.

Li Ka-shingLi has fingers in multiple pies, including telecommunications, ports and hotels. He also has an interest in high-profile tech, with investments in Facebook, Spotify, Waze and Summly.

“I enjoy keeping up with latest technology trends," Li tells the Chinese Nanfang Media Group. "I can also tell you that in addition to  (Apple’s) iOS and Android,  a new mobile operating system will come to the market soon.”

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The First Tizen Device: A Smart Camera

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Samsung reveals the first consumer device running on Tizen, the open source Linux-based mobile device OS, at the Tizen Developer Summit-- not a smartphone or a tablet but a camera, specifically NX300M smart camera.

Samsung MX300The NX300M is a refresh of the Android-powered NX300 mirrorless camera. It features a 3.31-inch AMOLED rotatable touchscreen, 20.3MP APS-C sensor, dual-channel wifi and NFC support.

Technically the camera is not the first Tizen device available. That particular honour belongs to a developer-aimed 10.1-inch tablet from Japanese vendor Systena.

If you recall, Tizen is a standards-based cross-architecture software platform built on the bones of MeeGo, a now-dead Nokia-Intel Linux-based mobile device OS. The project was first announced on 2011 and devices running on the OS were supposed to be available by H2 2012-- but work hit a number of snags as chief backer Samsung bits on too many Tizen-related projects, including a Mobile Lite and smart TV versions, than it can apparently chew.

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Android Inventor Steps Down

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Following a shake up in Google leadership Android creator and former senior VP of mobile and content Andy Rubin steps down to a new, yet unspecified, role within the company.

RubinReplacing him is Sundar Pichai, the senior VP in charge of the Chrome browser and OS. Interestingly Pichai will continue leading all things Chrome even as he takes over Android-- maybe Google will converge mobile and PC operating systems in the future?

“Having exceeded even the crazy ambitious goals we dreamed of for Android-— and with a really strong leadership team in place-— Andy’s decided it’s time to hand over the reins and start a new chapter at Google,” Google CEO Larry Page writes in his announcement. “Andy, more moonshots please!”

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