Samsung Pulling The Plug on Tizen OS Support for Smartwatches

Samsung, a leading technology company known for producing a wide range of electronic devices, including smartphones and wearable technology, introduced its first smartwatch running on its own operating system, Tizen OS, in 2018. The Galaxy Watch, which debuted with this new OS, was designed as a competitor to other popular smartwatch platforms, such as Apple's watchOS and Google's Wear OS.

Tizen OS, developed by Samsung, is an open-source, Linux-based operating system designed for various devices, including smartphones, smart TVs, and wearables. By using its own operating system, Samsung aimed to differentiate itself from competitors and offer unique features and experiences to users.

However, six years after the initial release of the Galaxy Watch with Tizen OS, Samsung has announced its intention to discontinue support for this operating system on smartwatches. This shift became apparent when Samsung launched its latest smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch5, running on Google's Wear OS instead of Tizen OS in 2021.

The decision to abandon Tizen OS on smartwatches comes as a surprise, given Samsung's initial commitment to the platform. However, there are several reasons why this change might have occurred:

1. Partnership with Google: By adopting Wear OS, Samsung has formed a closer partnership with Google, allowing for better integration with other Google services, such as Google Fit, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store. This could provide a more seamless user experience for Samsung smartwatch users.

2. Market competition: The smartwatch market is highly competitive, with Apple's watchOS and Google's Wear OS being the dominant players. By switching to a more widely-adopted platform, Samsung may be able to attract more users and developers, increasing the availability of apps and features for its smartwatches.

3. Development resources: Maintaining an operating system, especially one as complex as Tizen OS, requires significant resources. By adopting a more widely-used platform like Wear OS, Samsung can save development costs and focus on improving other aspects of its smartwatches.

4. User experience: While Tizen OS offered unique features, some users may have found it less user-friendly compared to watchOS or Wear OS. By switching to a more familiar platform, Samsung may be able to provide a more intuitive user experience, making its smartwatches more appealing to a wider audience.

In conclusion, Samsung's decision to abandon Tizen OS on smartwatches comes as a surprise, but it is likely driven by a combination of factors, including partnerships, market competition, development resources, and user experience. This shift may lead to a more seamless integration with other Google services, a wider range of apps, and a more intuitive user experience for Samsung smartwatch users.