Tizen or Android

[jrswizzle]

Just like the poll says, if Samsung were to completely adopt Tizen across their entire lineup (hypothetical of course), would you still go for a Samsung device or would you ditch them for a different Android (or alternative)?

I'm curious how much of Samsung's popularity has to do with Android (somewhat behind the scenes) and how much of it has to do with their actual software features and offerings.

 

[sentinelsx]

Won't touch tizen at all. Cannot stand touchwiz for more than a minute.

 

[Switchback666]

Im looking to get my hands on a Samsung Z to give it a try, Samsung with full control of hardware and software like Apple it can only be a better/smooth experience.

 

[Phil A.]

I like Samsung devices (I've had an S3, S4, S5, Note 2 and Note 3) but I'd move to another Android phone in a heartbeat if they dropped it for Tizen

 

[jamezr]

Im looking to get my hands on a Samsung Z to give it a try, Samsung with full control of hardware and software like Apple it can only be a better/smooth experience.

Lets know when you get one....would love to read some feedback on the UI and hardware blend.....

 

[Dontazemebro]

I'd give it a shot just to see what they were about but I wouldn't tie myself down to their ecosystem. I don't think Tizen will have much success, they already tried it with Bada and that went sour fast, so if they think they're going to have an Apple like cult-following, I highly doubt it.

 

[jrswizzle]

I'd give it a shot just to see what they were about but I wouldn't tie myself down to their ecosystem. I don't think Tizen will have much success, they already tried it with Bada and that went sour fast, so if they think they're going to have an Apple like cult-following, I highly doubt it.

Hmm but how popular was the brand before Bada. At this point, there is arguably no more popular brand in the world when it comes to smartphones.

I'm just curious if that popularity might go to their heads a bit and what it could do.

On the positive side, more control over software means better integration with hardware ala Apple and a much smoother experience.

BUT

We all see what Samsung's software looks like - not the features mind you - but TouchWiz is a bloated mess that many try to ditch as soon as possible. Thing is, the masses accept TouchWiz without a thought - much like people talk about Apple and iOS being accepted despite it's shortcomings.

Samsung has reached (and perhaps passed) the Apple-level of popularity (overall - the iPhone is still the single best selling smartphone in the world). With that popularity, they may feel (and be correct) they can make the move.

Which brings up another question - where would that leave Android?

(This is all hypothetical of course - but it beats arguing about the same old crap all the time ).

 

[Dontazemebro]

Yeah it is a pretty good discussion and you might have a point. With their crazy marketing blitz Samsung is literally in every household. I guess I'd really have to see what they bring to the table but if it's anything like Samsung hub, Samsung music, magazine ui etc. I don't see the appeal. There's nothing that really stands out about their in house software. For me, it's the feature set that comes with their devices that I enjoy.

 

[Switchback666]

Hmm but how popular was the brand before Bada. At this point, there is arguably no more popular brand in the world when it comes to smartphones.



I'm just curious if that popularity might go to their heads a bit and what it could do.



On the positive side, more control over software means better integration with hardware ala Apple and a much smoother experience.



BUT



We all see what Samsung's software looks like - not the features mind you - but TouchWiz is a bloated mess that many try to ditch as soon as possible. Thing is, the masses accept TouchWiz without a thought - much like people talk about Apple and iOS being accepted despite it's shortcomings.



Samsung has reached (and perhaps passed) the Apple-level of popularity (overall - the iPhone is still the single best selling smartphone in the world). With that popularity, they may feel (and be correct) they can make the move.



Which brings up another question - where would that leave Android?



(This is all hypothetical of course - but it beats arguing about the same old crap all the time ).

Thats how i see it, most people in forums dont like touchwiz but the masses love it or simply dont care and still buy it.

My only problem with touchwiz is with the design all over the place and with the new ui tweaks imo got better and of course it can only improve.

Samsung is basically Android at this point, they can def move everyone to tizen and most wont even know it aslong they can get devs on board; things will def be interesting in the future lol makes me want to carry more than 1 phone

 

[jrswizzle]

Yeah it is a pretty good discussion and you might have a point. With their crazy marketing blitz Samsung is literally in every household. I guess I'd really have to see what they bring to table but if it's anything like Samsung hub, Samsung music, magazine ui etc. I don't see the appeal. There's nothing that really stands out about their in house software. For me, it's the feature set that comes with it that I enjoy.

I'm with you - Tizen run Samsung devices would pretty much kill ANY chance, however small, of me using a Samsung device again.

At least with TouchWiz, I can flash to stock Android....but if Tizen sucks, you're screwed.

Honestly, I'd almost rather Samsung go this route - I think they would take a small hit but would likely remain very popular. I also think it would give others in the Android world more room to grow and create A TON of competition that doesn't exist right now.

Android in 2014 is Samsung and then everyone else.....not a lot of competition at the top. Just a bunch of formerly popular brands fighting to stay alive. Hard to innovate when you're just trying to survive.

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Thats how i see it, most people in forums dont like touchwiz but the masses love it or simply dont care and still buy it.

My only problem with touchwiz is with the design all over the place and with the new ui tweaks imo got better and of course it can only improve.

Samsung is basically Android at this point, they can def move everyone to tizen and most wont even know it aslong they can get devs on board; things will def be interesting in the future lol makes me want to carry more than 1 phone

Haha makes me want to carry 3 or 4.....

Ehh, maybe not CARRY but....

 

[Dontazemebro]

A good question is, will you be able to flash a build of Android on a Tizen device? From every indication Tizen is supposed to be even more open than Android (as they claim) and tech heads eat up that kind of stuff.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Tizen is just an Android knockoff. Samsung is just looking for a way to have an entirely closed ecosystem a la Apple.

One day Samsung might realize they don't have to BE Apple to be a success. They really innovated to compete with Apple when they made the S3 and Note 1. Then its like they hit a dead end and have done nothing new, just rehashing the same design template 50 different ways.

 

[MRU]

Too early to tell anything about Tizen to vote in a poll.

Give it time .....


But remember this.

1) people associate Touchwiz with Samsung. Most samsung users are likely unaware of what OS Touchwiz is running over.

Tizen looking and working just like Touchwiz on android would mean many folks wouldn't know the difference.

2) android apps can work on tizen without much trouble and Samsung are pushing to get more apps on its store.

3) tizen could actually be a better performing OS as it's newly built rather than carrying baggage of 5 years on android building up bloated services.


Let's just wait and see.

Hands on impressions

Tizen power

For the Samsung Z, the company has opted to power the experience with its own Tizen OS rather than Google's Android. While having huge ramifications on what it can and cannot do, the experience before you start thinking about apps, is very, very similar.

Powered by a quad-core 2.3GHz processor and 2GB of RAM, the operating system is incredibly responsive, more so than what we've experienced with the Samsung Galaxy S5 TouchWiz interface running KitKat. That responsiveness is best seen in jumping around the user interface, which is uncluttered and for the most part fairly clean.

Like Android, there is a focus on the apps in a grid system, as well as a number of widgets on the homepage. Just like Symbian eventually ended up being before Nokia ultimately canned it to go Windows Phone, Tizen emulates Android with aplomb.



Swipe down from the top of the screen, for example, and you reveal the all too familiar settings panel giving you quick access to things like Wi-Fi. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and the app tray turns into the apps pane, while a swipe left or right reveals more "homepages" where you can pin widgets, shortcuts or app icons. To the layman this is Android.

But it is the sheer fluidity of all these actions that delivers plenty of promise for the mobile operating system. It's as quick and responsive at HTC's Sense ever was and doesn't suffer from the over animated experience of the latest version of TouchWiz.

Of course, Samsung has embellished the experience with a bit of its Android skin; TouchWiz.

Circular icons, a good smattering of "S" apps, and a clean interface all help define the experience, but because we've ever seen an early prototype Tizen experience before, it seems all together a natural rather than a cluttered experience.

It is as if the design team has forgotten the daily struggles of of trying to make everything different and standout in Android, and has delivered a unified experience in a device that comes across as singular in its design ethos. Samsung really should be proud of that achievement.

S apps

Like the company's Android smartphones, this Tizen smartphone is packed with S apps that are for all intent and purposes identical to their Android siblings.

There is S Health, S Planner, S Memo, S Voice, and S everything else you can thing of. And from a user interface and design perspective they are the same as you've seen on the Galaxy range of smartphones. It is at this moment you really struggle to notice the difference between the Samsung Z and any other Android-touting handset the company makes.

 

[Vegastouch]

How can we answer a question like that when we have no way to even try Tizen yet? Right now i dont care about Tizen and im more interested in a Nokia Windows phone in addition to Android.

Touchwiz as a launcher sucks so i use Nova but i dont mind TW at all with the other implements . The calender is awesome and the dialer is fine so i only hate the launcher.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

How can we answer a question like that when we have no way to even try Tizen yet?

Exactly my thoughts. I have zero experience with it, so I can't judge. Only thing to really judge off is app support. Many would not want to be early adopters and wait for apps.

 

[Vegastouch]

Hmm but how popular was the brand before Bada. At this point, there is arguably no more popular brand in the world when it comes to smartphones.

I'm just curious if that popularity might go to their heads a bit and what it could do.

On the positive side, more control over software means better integration with hardware ala Apple and a much smoother experience.

BUT

We all see what Samsung's software looks like - not the features mind you - but TouchWiz is a bloated mess that many try to ditch as soon as possible. Thing is, the masses accept TouchWiz without a thought - much like people talk about Apple and iOS being accepted despite it's shortcomings.

Samsung has reached (and perhaps passed) the Apple-level of popularity (overall - the iPhone is still the single best selling smartphone in the world). With that popularity, they may feel (and be correct) they can make the move.

Which brings up another question - where would that leave Android?

(This is all hypothetical of course - but it beats arguing about the same old crap all the time ).

Well sure if you have all Samsung and Apple devices. Im not the guy to buy the same brand. I buy what i like and i have a few Samsung things like a Fridge and TVs and a old DVD player but i dont have a laptop or a Tablet or a phone from them.

As for Touchwiz, see my post above.

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Exactly my thoughts. I have zero experience with it, so I can't judge. Only thing to really judge off is app support. Many would not want to be early adopters and wait for apps.

Samsung has a app store and has for a long while so i doubt that will be an issue.

 

[Robster3]

Well sure if you have all Samsung and Apple devices. Im not the guy to buy the same brand. I buy what i like and i have a few Samsung things like a Fridge and TVs and a old DVD player but i dont have a laptop or a Tablet or a phone from them.

As for Touchwiz, see my post above.

----------



Samsung has a app store and has for a long while so i doubt that will be an issue.

Having had both, i much prefer TW on my S5 more than i did iOS on my 5S.

----------

How can we answer a question like that when we have no way to even try Tizen yet? Right now i dont care about Tizen and im more interested in a Nokia Windows phone in addition to Android.

Touchwiz as a launcher sucks so i use Nova but i dont mind TW at all with the other implements . The calender is awesome and the dialer is fine so i only hate the launcher.

I use nova too and agree with the dialer and calendar.

 

[AustinIllini]

It seems really late in the game to be introducing a new OS to what feels like a saturated market.

 

[MRU]

It seems really late in the game to be introducing a new OS to what feels like a saturated market.

Not really...

Samsung devices are recognisable / synominous to general consumers because of Touchwiz and Samsung's S-Apps more than the specific version if android that it's running in top of.

Give folks the near exact same experience on a Touchwiz tizen device and many casual consumer folks will be oblivious to the difference under the hood, or care, as long as it does everything their other Touchwiz device did.

 

[AustinIllini]

Tizen or Android

Not really...



Samsung devices are recognisable / synominous to general consumers because of Touchwiz and Samsung's S-Apps more than the specific version if android that it's running in top of.



Give folks the near exact same experience on a Touchwiz tizen device and many casual consumer folks will be oblivious to the difference under the hood, or care, as long as it does everything their other Touchwiz device did.

Yeah but I have a hard time believing users will simply give up the Play store for S beam.

 

[Stuntman06]

It's really too early to tell. I don't think Tizen devices are planned for North America in the near future. I think it is only for certain limited markets.

 

[Oohara]

I can only bear Samsung's UIs as long as I can hide them behind custom Android launchers. Given how TouchWiz has looked to date, I'd be forced to wait until they fire the manatees and hire some actual human designers, possibly even competent ones, before I could even consider using a Tizen device.

 

[MRU]

I can only bear Samsung's UIs as long as I can hide them behind custom Android launchers. Given how TouchWiz has looked to date, I'd be forced to wait until they fire the manatees and hire some actual human designers, possibly even competent ones, before I could even consider using a Tizen device.

Tizens version of it actually looks more refined (not hard I know) ...

 

[AxoNeuron]

I'd rather stick with iOS. Tizen just doesn't have the broad base that iOS and Android currently have, and doesn't have enough benefit to outweigh that lack of support. I cannot stand Samsung. I really haven't seen Samsung smartphones do anything truly revolutionary. My ancient iPhone 4S could take my heart rate just as well using a free app from the app store, I don't see what is so innovative about their new S5, asides from the fact that it looks like Samsung got a great deal on the same material used to make golf balls.

 

[tjl3]

Hmm but how popular was the brand before Bada. At this point, there is arguably no more popular brand in the world when it comes to smartphones.

I'm just curious if that popularity might go to their heads a bit and what it could do.

On the positive side, more control over software means better integration with hardware ala Apple and a much smoother experience.

BUT

We all see what Samsung's software looks like - not the features mind you - but TouchWiz is a bloated mess that many try to ditch as soon as possible. Thing is, the masses accept TouchWiz without a thought - much like people talk about Apple and iOS being accepted despite it's shortcomings.

Samsung has reached (and perhaps passed) the Apple-level of popularity (overall - the iPhone is still the single best selling smartphone in the world). With that popularity, they may feel (and be correct) they can make the move.

Which brings up another question - where would that leave Android?

(This is all hypothetical of course - but it beats arguing about the same old crap all the time ).

There was an interesting graphic that I saw the other day, where Samsung made up 65% of all Android phones, with Galaxy S phones making up about 30% of all Android phones and Galaxy S4 (so obviously this was captured before the S5 was released) made up 10% of all Android phones. That is a scary statistic if you think about it. Almost 30% of their Android-share, which is dedicated to their non flagship line, could be replaced w/ Tizen and Google could be on the losing end of this.

Tizen is just an Android knockoff. Samsung is just looking for a way to have an entirely closed ecosystem a la Apple.

One day Samsung might realize they don't have to BE Apple to be a success. They really innovated to compete with Apple when they made the S3 and Note 1. Then its like they hit a dead end and have done nothing new, just rehashing the same design template 50 different ways.

Yes, but Samsung can also be looking at it as this. People buy iPhone for iOS in addition to their marketing, popularity, cool factor, etc. Apple profits off of having their own closed system, whether it is from the App Store, iTunes, dedicated iOS developers, etc. Google makes a killing off of everyone buying Samsung Android smartphones. A killing that Samsung could very well reap if software was entirely in their court. Not only this, they would not be at the mercy of Google controlling software. As a company, there is huge growth potential. And they already have the userbase, 65% of the share, that likely even bigger is way more than Apple, way more than Google, way more than MS.