Google Inc (GOOG), Intel Corporation (INTC): Is Samsung About to Abandon Android?

Obviously, Android is very important to Google in terms of the ongoing transition to mobile. The more Android adoption grows, the more users Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) gets on its web services.

What’s with Intel’s involvement?

But what’s Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) doing with Tizen? Why is the chip maker involved in the mobile operating system?

So far, Intel has struggled with the shift to mobile. Although Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) is the dominant provider when it comes to traditional PC processors, the company is largely a non-factor in terms of mobile chips.

An upcoming Intel chip will make its way into a Samsung tablet, but for the most part, the industry is dominated by companies like Qualcomm and Nvidia, with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) using its own chips.

By being involved with Tizen, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) may have a better shot at becoming a mobile chip supplier. From its early days, Android was optimized to run on ARM chips — Tizen will likely be designed for Intel’s ATOM processors.

At this point, without any Tizen phones even on the market, it’s far too early to predict Intel’s mobile dominance. Still, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) investors should keep an eye on the Tizen project.

Another mobile operating system?

Given the struggles of Windows Phone and BB10, it’s hard to envision Tizen being a success. With over 90% of the smartphones in the marketplace running iOS or Android, the mobile operating system market seems to have settled into a duopoly.

Nevertheless, Tizen continues to exist as an Interesting side-story for mobile investors. Should Samsung decide to abandon Android, it could have a devastating effect on Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s mobile ambitions. At the same time, it could give Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) a shot at becoming relevant in the mobile chip market.

The article Is Samsung About to Abandon Android? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Salvatore “Sam” Mattera.

Joe Kurtz has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Google and Intel. The Motley Fool owns shares of Google and Intel. Salvatore “Sam” is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

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