Are Apple and Google Watching Their Backs?

Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS and Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android have been dominant names in the smartphone operating system market for a while now. And while Microsoft’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Phone is beginning to make an impact, it still trails by a sizable distance. This year, though, the field could change drastically.

Android quickly outpaced iOS to become the number one global smartphone brand after several different manufacturers adopted the Google software. Windows Phone hasn’t quite had the same luck, even though Microsoft has also taken the same path by getting more than one manufacturer to embrace it. There is clearly some uncertainty for operating systems launching into the market. But, like sea turtles, if enough go in at once, some are bound to succeed.

And so enter Tizen, Firefox OS, and Sailfish OS.

Intel’s (NASDAQ:INTC) Tizen looks to be receiving one of the stronger backings from manufacturers. Samsung (SSNLF.PK) is rolling up one of its old operating systems into the new one, and could be sending out devices running Tizen by mid-summer. Intel is working closely with the Korean company on the launch…