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The MeeGo mobile operating system is set to be merged into a new Linux-based mobile operating system called Tizen.
MeeGo was originally a joint venture between Intel and Nokia, among others, but with Nokia’s high profile desertion of the platform in favor of adopting Windows Phone, the future of MeeGo has been somewhat in doubt with rumours that Intel was cooling to the platform.
However the new Tizen OS is a new venture from the Linux Foundation and will be led by a technical ‘steering team’ comprised of Intel and Samsung.
"Tizen will support multiple device categories, such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, netbooks, and in-vehicle infotainment devices," the Foundation said announcing the project.
MeeGo representative Imad Sousou provided some hint as to why a new project is needed beyond MeeGo, saying "the future belongs to HTML5-based applications."
"Shifting to HTML5 doesn’t just mean slapping a web runtime on an existing Linux, even one aimed at mobile, as MeeGo has been. Emphasizing HTML5 means that APIs not visible to HTML5 programmers need not be as rigid, and can evolve with platform technology and can vary by market segment," Sousou added.
The Linux Foundation said that the first release of Tizen and an associated developers kit is expected in the first quarter of 2012. The Foundation also promised to release more details in the coming weeks.
Sousou said that efforts would be undertaken to transition users and developers of MeeGo across to Tizen.
RIP MeeGo, we barely knew you.
