This is the second in a three-part series on my insights and impressions as a developer from Samsung’s Software Developers Conference (SDC) in San Francisco in April, 2016.
Over the past few years Samsung has been expanding its presence beyond the world of smartphones. They wanted other options in case Google’s operating system took a sour turn. So Samsung focused on two avenues: an open-sourced OS called Tizen and Virtual Reality.
At SDC 2016, Tizen devices were everywhere (Gear S2 and smart TVs). I even received a smartwatch for free. Samsung installed a multitude of VR experiences as well, including a moving seat roller coaster. They also highlighted their partnership with Facebook-owned Oculus.
It’s clear that Samsung is going to use its presence in the living room to further advance the standard TV with Tizen and the entire media consumption experience with VR. Now is the time to focus development on integrating more aspects than a smartphone into a consumer’s digital experiences.
Time for Tizen
Tizen is an open-source operating system that powers Samsung TVs, smartwatches, and (some non-US) phones. Tizen applications come in 3 forms: Web apps, native apps, and hybrid apps. Web apps are written using HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS; the web development technology stack. Native apps are written in C. And hybrid apps are (you guessed it) apps that utilize both languages.
The abilities of Tizen, as with any OS, depend on the hardware on which it is used. For example, Tizen apps on smart TVs will be able to utilize a direct internet connection to serve up updated content. A smartwatch app will hook into a phone app and provide powerful ways to enhance system notifications like incoming messages, emails, or phone calls. Because Tizen applications can be written in the web stack, the barrier for entry is relatively low. As with Android, the operating system is open-source and contributions are welcome. The software is also backed by Intel.
Samsung hedged their bets on smartwatches by creating a wearable through which an already integral part of a consumer's life can more easily push its constant stream of notifications. That's why Tizen smartwatches need a phone (more technically, a device running the Samsung Gear Manager app). Once paired with a device, the watches are great for extravagant fitness statistics or the occasional weather update. The higher tiered watches even come with a cell antenna, allowing them to make calls.
Putting Tizen to Work
Because Tizen apps can be written in the "modern" web-stack, many developers are able to get up and running rather quickly. While being bound to ECMA 5 (as of Tizen 2.3.1) is a bummer, I have yet to see why more modern libraries (Angular, Underscore, React, Require, etc.) can't be implemented as well. We don’t yet know how these libraries will behave on circular devices. Luckily, Samsung includes a TAU library which specifically produces CSS and JS for creating circular UI. In addition, there are a plethora of example apps from which to pull examples, and structuring more complicated applications is relatively straightforward. Disclaimer: I did not write a Tizen Native App (written in C).
I found that the hardest part of Tizen development was the layers of security built into the OS. Each test device has to have a certificate issued on an application basis; i.e. all development devices had to be signed up to run an app in development. This is a stark contrast to the nature of creating APKs for Android.
I think the second hardest part is the wireless nature of smartwatches. Applications (.wgt or Widget files) must be transmitted over a local wireless network onto target devices. I wish we could transmit data over the wireless charging stand (it’s a nice stand). Or maybe through Bluetooth and the Samsung Gear Manager.
Here's some additional information about loading an application onto a Gear device.
As of 1 September 2016, the Tizen Organization released Tizen Studio 1.0, easing the process of getting up and running with Tizen. The original IDE left much to be desired. Oh yeah, and Tizen is compatible with KNOX when running on a phone and a watch (WARNING: Beta).
Gear VR for Strong Stomachs
Samsung released the Gear VR in many variations making it easy (read: cheap) for anyone to experience the next wave of visual entertainment. I used VR headsets in two instances: the first, with a few skiers in the Alps and the second, on a rollercoaster in motion-enabled chairs. The latter reminded me of the “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not… 4D” experiences, where the seat moves in response to the video. This is similar to what Disney rides are like.
My Gear VR experiences trumped those other amusement rides, however. The skiing video was so impressive, the experience so real, that I felt the rising and falling sensation in my stomach many times. While on the rollercoaster, I was able to look around the “park” and, while the situation was obviously fake, I can definitely see myself paying to experience a great Hollywood blockbuster with that sense of “surrounded by the action”.
With Gear VR, Samsung Galaxy S7 (and beyond) smartphone owners can use their impressively powerful devices as the VR screen. The VR devices were even offered for free with purchase of a new phone. Those who buy the bleeding edge devices (such as us developers) can start figuring out how to do VR cheaply.
More VR, Seriously
For those developers who are more serious with graphics, Samsung partnered with Oculus to create the Gear Rift. This is a full VR headset and requires quite a powerful machine to use. By teaming up with Oculus, Samsung marries its ability to produce quality hardware at scale with Oculus’ expertise and market dominance. This reduces both companies’ “entrance fees” into the VR market, boding well for consumers.
However, all of the amazing VR hardware Samsung released wasn’t just for the consumption of the new-age of media. Samsung also revealed their Gear 360 camera. This camera captures 360 degree high-res video and was released with a suite of editing tools (Samsung Milk Video) for editing, managing, and sharing content. Since YouTube supports VR content and 360° video, this camera gives people the power to create and enjoy an entirely new medium for art and entertainment.
I cannot see myself buying a strong enough PC for VR gaming, since I'm just not interested in the medium as much anymore. However, the VR experience Samsung demonstrated at SDC is very promising. The Gear 360, prevalence of cheap(er) VR headsets, and multitude of channels for content (Samsung, Google, Facebook, etc.) are very promising.
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