We had a good run didn't we? It's the beginning of the end now that Samsung has started pushing Tizen as an alternative to Android. The newly announced Samsung Z is a powerful smartphone that runs an updated version of Samsung's open source Tizen OS. Oh, why didn't we listen to all the scaremongering posts that went up after the Gear 2 was announced? WHYYYYY?

But in all seriousness, this is a notable move for Samsung as the lack of Tizen devices made sure no developers were going to use the platform. This one is specced pretty well and Samsung is even having developer events based around Tizen apps. There will also be a developer conference in San Francisco tomorrow. Oh, and if you thought Samsung had reserved faux leather stitching for Android? BAM – fake leather on the back of the Samsung Z. Here are the full specs.

4.8-inch 720p Super AMOLED display

2.3 GHz quad-core processor (presumably a Snapdragon 800 or a down-clocked 801)

2GB of RAM

16GB of storage with microSD

8MP camera (rear), 2.1MP (front)

Category 4 LTE

Tizen 2.2.1 OS

138.2 x 69.8 x 8.5mm, 136g

2600mAh battery

Connectivity: NFC, IR Remote, GPS / GLONAS, 802.11 a/b/g/n (MIMO), BT 4.0

Fingerprint reader

Heart rate sensor

Software features: Ultra Power Saving Mode, Download Booster, S Health 3.0, Color theme customization

So clearly there are a few places the specs aren't super-premium, like the 720p screen. However, many of Samsung's hallmark features have come over from Android including Ultra Power Saving Mode, the fingerprint reader, and download booster. Samsung isn't completely rolling out the red carpet for Tizen, though. The Z is dropping in Russia later his year, then expanding to more markets after that. Pricing is still unknown.

[Samsung Tomorrow]