CyanogenMod

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November 28, 2013
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CyanogenMod Removed Google Play

CyanogenMod removed from Google Play after terms of service violation

By on November 28, 2013 at 4:30 PM.

CyanogenMod removed from Google Play after terms of service violation

The installer for CyanogenMod, a popular alternative to Google’s stock version of Android, has been pulled from Google Play after its creators were informed by Google that the installer is in violation of the store’s developer terms. The Google Play support team told Cyanogen that the installer was relatively harmless, but “encourages users to void their warranty.” Cyanogen was asked to voluntarily remove the installer before Google was forced to take down the app itself. It is still possible to download CyanogenMod through the team’s website, but according to Cyanogen, “it’s a hassle and adds steps to the process.” There is no word on when or if the installer will reappear on Google Play in the future.

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Software
September 18, 2013
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Cyanogen Venture Funding $7 Million

With $7 million in funding, Cyanogen aims to take on Windows Phone

By on September 18, 2013 at 11:45 PM.

With $7 million in funding, Cyanogen aims to take on Windows Phone

For the past several years, Cyanogen’s goal has been to create a better, more secure and more customizable version of Android with its third-party CyanogenMod firmware. Now The Verge reports that Cyanogen is significantly raising its ambitions now that it’s received $7 million in venture funding from Benchmark Capital and Redpoint Ventures. In fact, Cyanogen CEO Kirt McMaster tells The Verge that his company’s goal is to beat out both Windows Phone and BlackBerry to become the world’s No. 3 most used mobile operating system. More →

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mobile
June 27, 2013
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Android iMessage-Like Service

Secure new Android messaging service will rival iMessage

By on June 27, 2013 at 5:30 PM.

Secure new Android messaging service will rival iMessage

CyanogenMod is looking to step up the security in its popular third-party Android software. In addition to an incognito mode to keep personal data secure from individual applications, the team is working on an encrypted messaging service, known as PushSMS, for CyanogenMod users that looks to rival iMessage in terms of security. Developer Koushik Dutta revealed this week that he has built a secure push-based messaging plugin for the software that encrypts messages between two CyanogenMod users from end to end and is sent over the Google Cloud Messaging service. He noted that because the feature is built directly into the CyanogenMod framework, it’s compatible with third-party messaging apps such as GoSMS and Handcent. PushSMS isn’t available yet, however it will likely arrive in upcoming CyanogenMod test builds in the next few weeks.

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mobile
June 12, 2013
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Android Privacy Incognito Mode

This new tweak will make Android more secure than ever before

By on June 12, 2013 at 2:40 PM.

This new tweak will make Android more secure than ever before

Steve Kondik, the founder and lead developer of CyanogenMod, announced on Wednesday that he is developing a new privacy feature for his popular third-party Android software. The feature, known as “Run in Incognito Mode,” is designed to help keep personal data secure by allowing Android users to run applications in a restricted mode. While operating in Incognito Mode, an application will not be able to access GPS location or personal data such as contacts, messages, browser history, calendar or call logs. CyanogenMod is an open source replacement firmware for Android devices that is designed to give smartphones and tablets more functionality and stability. “Run in Incognito Mode” is expected to debut in nightly builds of CyanogenMod in the near future.

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mobile
February 8, 2012
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HP releases Android kernel source for TouchPad to CyanogenMod team

By on February 8, 2012 at 10:00 PM.

HP releases Android kernel source for TouchPad to CyanogenMod team

When the HP TouchPad was released in the summer of 2011 it did little to impress consumers, leading to the tablet being discontinued after a mere 49 days on the market. Remaining TouchPad stock received substantial price reductions, dropping to as low as $99 dollars during a huge fire sale. Shortly after inventory ran dry, crafty hackers had announced their intention to run the Android operating system in replace of WebOS on the TouchPad, and progress thus far has been slow, with alpha versions being released that are fairly stable but have serious bugs. In an act of good will, HP has now released an Android kernel source code to the hacking community. Read on for more. More →

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mobile
January 23, 2012
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Cydia-style app store for Android coming soon

By on January 23, 2012 at 5:05 PM.

Cydia-style app store for Android coming soon

Google’s open approach with the Android platform means developers can build applications that make use of parts of the operating system that iOS developers can’t even consider if they hope to get their apps approved for distribution through Apple’s App Store. Even still, however, there are a number of Android developers with apps that have been banned from Google’s Android Market for various reasons. While iOS developers looking to get around Apple’s strict policies can turn to Cydia, the third-party app store available to jailbreakers, Android developers with banned apps do not have a centralized location through which they can distribute their wares — but that will soon change. Android developer Koushik Dutta recently revealed that he is working on a third-party application distribution resource that will function much like Cydia does on iOS devices. Dutta, known for his work on custom “CyanogenMod” Android ROMs, published an image of the app listing utility that will allow developers to add products to the store, hinting that progress is being made and we may soon see an initial release. Paid and free apps will be available in the CyanogenMod App Store, and a cut of sales will be taken just as it is in the Android Market. Dutta hasn’t yet announced a launch time frame for the new app store. More →

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mobile
January 12, 2012
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CyanogenMod passes 1 million active users, banned app store coming soon?

By on January 12, 2012 at 9:28 PM.

CyanogenMod passes 1 million active users, banned app store coming soon?

One of the advantages of owning an Android device is the ability to install a custom ROM and making your device perfect for your tastes. You can’t talk about custom ROMs without mentioning the king of them all, CyanogenMod, which has just surpassed 1 million downloads. Created by Steve “Cyanogen” Kondik, the CyanogenMod team offers up-to-date custom ROMs that extend a phone’s capabilities with added features and utilities. Additionally, CM team member Koushik Dutta has been dabbling into the idea of creating an app store exclusively for root apps. With carriers and Google continuing to police the Android Market, removing tether apps, one click root apps, and emulators, Koush has become increasingly frustrated and originally proposed the idea of a root app store to Amazon, however the company was not interested. The proposed store would be open-source and available to any custom ROM, not just CyanogenMod. More →

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Software
December 27, 2011
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Amazon Kindle Fire gets unofficial Android 4.0 update [video]

By on December 27, 2011 at 10:01 AM.

Amazon Kindle Fire gets unofficial Android 4.0 update [video]

Amazon’s popular Kindle Fire tablet now has access to an unofficial Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update. Members of the xda-developers forum recently managed to get a “pre-alpha” version of Android 4.0 running on Amazon’s new slate. The installation is based on the popular CyanogenMod 9 and while the ROM is working well in this early stage, there are still a number of bugs that need to be ironed out. It should also be clarified that this custom Ice Cream Sandwich ROM will remove all of Amazon’s customization features from the tablet, such as its user interface and deep integration with Amazon services. Hit the break for a video of Android 4.0 in action on the Kindle Fire and provided you understand the risks involved, follow the read link for all the tools you’ll need to install Android 4.0 on your Kindle Fire. More →

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Software
May 7, 2011
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CyanogenMod 7 downloaded over 215,000 times

By on May 7, 2011 at 5:11 AM.

CyanogenMod 7 downloaded over 215,000 times

CyanogenMod is one of the most popular custom Android ROMs currently available. With a wide rang of supported devices, and active developer community, the Android enhancement gets a fair number of installs. Just how many installs, you ask? CyanogenMod has published statistics for its most recent build — CyanogenMod 7 — and the numbers are quite impressive. Version 7 has been installed 217,894 times at time of article writing. Nearly 45% of those installs occurred in the U.S. and Sweden, with Norway, Finland, and the U.K. rounding out the top five installers. A pretty impressive feat. Congrats to the CyanogenMod development community!

Thanks, EZ! More →

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Software
April 11, 2011
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CyanogenMod 7.0 final released for plethora of Android handsets

By on April 11, 2011 at 7:22 AM.

CyanogenMod 7.0 final released for plethora of Android handsets

Maybe your Android handset hasn’t been bless with an official build of Gingerbread just yet, or maybe your device’s iteration of Google’s latest mobile operating system isn’t performing up to snuff. Either way, you now have unofficial official options, as Cyanogen has announced the release of CyanogenMod 7.0 for a host of Android handsets. Based on Android 2.3.3, the code brings dozens of extra check-boxes and features to your device — allowing you to inflict more of your personal steez on to your phone. If you’re interested in further customizing your set, hit the read link, have yourself a download, and enjoy the mack-daddy of custom Android ROMs. More →

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