Samsung Tizen App Store Demoed

Samsung has demoed a Tizen app store at the second annual Tizen Developer Conference in San Fran, reaffirming the likelihood of a release in the foreseeable future. Tizen is the new Samsung-run mobile OS that is reportedly on its way sometime this year or next. So far news about it has been sketchy at best, with many doubting that Samsung would bother making its own OS, especially after it’s already failed once before with Bada. Things have changed a bit now that the Tizen store demo has been shown off running on a Tizen 2.0 device. Work on Tizen is definitely progressing, then, but there’s still not a peep regarding a release date. Nor do we know much about release products or what regions will be first to see Tizen-enabled Samsung devices. Despite a moderately successful demonstration of a new app store, Samsung has a long way to go if it’s going to make Tizen a hit.

Appetizing apps on Tizen

The biggest hurdle for any new OS is app availability. It’s also likely to be the entire reason that Samsung is trying to build its own vertically integrated ecosystem. Currently Samsung gets little-to-no slice of Android app sale profits, even if those apps are downloaded and used solely on their devices. Samsung wants a piece of that pie. The problem is actually getting app developers on board. Windows Phone and BlackBerry have learned the hard way that offering a solid mobile ecosystem simply isn’t enough. To attract app developers you need users. Unfortunately, to attract users you need apps. Tizen has already managed to show off a few big app names – from two years ago. Even contemporarily popular apps like Vimeo won’t be enough to get Tizen off the ground. As we’re seeing demonstrated by Windows Phone, the lack of even a few major apps can seriously damage sales and public perception. Admittedly, the Tizen store does look pretty well laid out. It has a simple interface and great aesthetics. The demo was a bit jerky, but to be fair it’s still just a demo. Samsung could very well have a strong foundation from which to start selling a few of those apps here, but it’s going to be crucial to get devs on board prior to its launching. Otherwise Tizen risks making a bad first impression that’ll be tough to work off. Source: Engadget via Tizen Greek Community