A new open-source device OS built on Linux is in development, and already has the backing of Samsung and Intel.
The Linux Foundation and the Limo Foundation this week announced the Tizen project to develop a cross-architecture software platform.
Development of the project will be led by Intel and Samsung. Following weeks of speculation about the future of MeeGo, Intel has revealed it plans to shift its focus away from MeeGo and to the new project.
Announcing its intention, Intel open source director Imad Sousou said the company was convinced it needs to shift its OS investments towards HTML5.
Samsung's involvement is also notable, partly because it has its own mobile OS in Bada - which may potentially also be made open source – but also because it is rumored to be attempting to reduce its reliance on Android in the wake of Google's planned $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility.
In contrast to Android, the Tizen project plans to open the entire software stack, from the core OS all the way up. It will use an API based on HTML5 and other web standards.
Tizen will be designed for use across multiple categories of devices, ranging from mobile phones and tablets, to smart TVs and in-vehicle systems.
The project leaders hope that the first devices will come to market in mid-2012.