Samsung's Tizen-based Z1 will run Android apps upon launch

Samsung's first Tizen offering, the Z1, is due to launch in India any moment now. And new piece of info that we just got says that it will be capable of running Android apps, provided that OpenMobile's Application Compatibility Layer is installed from the Tizen app store. This will ensure that your demand for essential apps is met, despite the very young age of the ecosystem.

The source describes the simple installation procedure and reports that the apps will run comparably to similarly-specced Android devices, but perhaps with a slightly larger hit on battery life.

Built around a 4-inch screen of 800x480 pixel resolution, the $90 handset will feature a dual core 1.2GHz CPU, 768MB of RAM and 4GB of storage space, which will be expandable.

A 1500mAh battery will power the dual SIM Samsung Z1. You will get FM radio, 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS. With a 3MP main camera and a VGA front snapper all the basics seem covered, of course bearing in mind the price point.

Originally conceived as a higher-end alternative to Android, the Tizen platform had to be reoriented after the withdrawal of key partners. Samsung decided to use it for budget-friendly smartphones and the Z1 is one such device. However, with the option of running Android apps, it becomes an interesting proposition to bring both the brand and the platform to developing markets.

Source | Via