The first devices running Intel's Tizen Linux-based open source software platform are expected to be released in in the second half of 2012.

Tizen was developed by Intel and Samsung, working with Linux Foundation and LiMo Foundation. The firms formed the Tizen Association with board members including telecom carriers and IT players such as NTT docomo, Orange, NEC, Panasonic, Sprint, Vodafone, SK Telecom and Telefonica.

According to sources in Taiwan, Tizen is expected to be released in late June with Tizen-based devices to appear in the second half of 2012, Digitimes.com reported today.

Acer, Asustek and High Tech Computer (HTC) are reportedly also supporting the Tizen project with HTC already planning Tizen-based products.

Asustek and Acer are also set to launch Tizen-based netbooks before the end of the third quarter, mainly targeting emerging markets.

The new operating system platform is based on Intel's MeeGo and Samsung's LiMo platforms. It was designed for a range of mobile devices including smartphones, tablets, netbooks, Smart TV and In-Vehicle Infotainment systems.

Tizen is featuring a standards-based HTML5 and W3C standards enabling device-independent applications to be produced for cross-platform deployment. This approach leverages the flexibility of HTML5 which is emerging as a preferred application environment for mobile applications.