Slashdot Mirror
CyanogenMod 10.2 M1 Released
sfcrazy writes "CyanogenMod team has announced the release of version 10.2 M1, just after the release of Android 4.4 aka Kit Kat. In a post the team says, "With all the Android 4.4 hype, we haven't forgotten about CM 10.2. Tonight the buildbots will focus their efforts on building and shipping out CyanogenMod 10.2 M1. Builds are already hitting the servers (please be patient, this will take a while). We are targeting over 70 devices for this initial M-release.""
For the uninitiated...
Right now, CyanogenMod consists of three parallel and active major versions: CyanogenMod 7 is based on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), and CyanogenMod 10 is based on Android 4.1 (JB) and CyanogenMod 10.1 is based on Android 4.2; CM10.1-capable devices are being phased out of CM10.0 , but since thereâ(TM)s a large amount of devices still on the market that arenâ(TM)t capable of fully running Android 4.x, CyanogenMod 7 exists to support them.
That is from their "about" page, and now slightly out of date with the release of 10.2. That version is based off of Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean).
Learning HOW to think is more important than learning WHAT to think.
Milestone
I was going to give it a try, but I just realized I'd have no idea how to explain operating systems and distributions to a five-year-old. Ask again when you're at least 12.
I use it on both of my devices: A cheap phone and a Nook tablet. Neither are officially supported, but there seems to be a lot of unofficial ports for unsupported devices. In both cases, my devices have better performance and features that were not available in their stock format. Personally I wouldn't buy an Android device unless I was sure that someone out there has already forged a clear path to install CyanogenMod, but if the Mozilla people can make a better alternative, I'll be more than happy to give that one a shot as well.
It's pat of my long standing philosofy never to use the OS that came with any computing device I purchase.
-.- CyanogenMod is a fantastic alternative to people who want a stock android experience on devices that come themed out of the box (See: HTC Sense) or if you want to have more control over your device. CyanogenMod inherently allows for root access (though is not necessary for root) which allows for extra finctionality in some cases. Cyanognemod also allows users to toy with device parameter, as in being able to overclock the device CPU, change the processor governer (either for better responsiveness or better battery life) or to just change some things. (My favorite being making the "Genius button" on my HTC Glacier behave like a normal Search Button) It's also nice if your device is stuck on an older version (like 2.1 or 2.2) that is no longer supported by many apps
/endrant
I'm sure CyanogenMod is awesome, but the CyanogenMod homepage doesn't do a good enough job of explaining WTF it is, and why anyone would want it. I'm thorougly unimpressed by "it has themes" and "it has a DSP equalizer" and "it has quick settings". There are no obvious videos showing how it works, so please help me understand why anyone would use it.
Can anyone here please ELI5 (explain like I'm five) what it is and why someone would want to use it?
Dad: Tablets and phones are like computers. Every so often they need to be updated to fix glitches, to run faster, and to run longer. Normally these updates come from the people that made them. But, sometimes the people that make the tablets and phones stop building and giving us these updates. So, what the Cyanogenmod team does is gives us the updates for tablets and phones built by all kinds of different companies, even older ones. In other words, it allows you, Jimmy, to play the latest balloon game that requires KitKat.
Kid: Like the Chocolate bar?
Dad: Yes, like the chocolate bar.
Kid: My game needs a chocolate bar?
Dad: No Daddy does... Where did you hide your Halloween candy?
Kid: Daaaaad... Mom told me not to tell you... but my game needs a chocolate bar?
Dad: The latest update for your tablet is called KitKat because the Cyanogenmod guys like sweets...
Kid: I like sweets too... Can I play my balloon game now?
That's sadly not remotely the case -- most popular or "nice" Android tablets and GSM phones do, but most inexpensive tablets or CDMA phones (even ones with a fully-supported GSM"twin") don't even have a port. That is to say: devices by a high-end company Samsung invariably do, but anything by one more like Coby is passed over as the developers reasonably/logically only work on things they own.
Now mostly at Usenet:comp.misc & SoylentNews.org (it's made of people!)
I'm sure all 12 users with all 3 supported devices will be very happy. :)
Actual stats, 4.8 million official installs, est. 3.9 million unofficial installs (ports to devices not officially supported, or mods to the Cyanogenmod base), 235 supported devices. Not all devices are supported at the latest version.
Apple compiles their software before release because they can. iOS only supports 8 models of phone (aside from carrier versions), 5 iPod models, 5 iPad models and 2 iPad Minis. Compiling them all is a day's work.
Android is supported on hundreds of devices. Each needs a kernel compatible with the hardware, just like on iOS. Any one model of Android phone is the same amount of work to support as any one model of iPhone.
Despite that, Android initially gained ground on iPhone ever since release and at some stages has been significantly ahead of iPhones on features. Right now, I'd say they are very close to par, with Android having some things a little better than iOS and iOS having some things a little better.
Please pardon me because I am a total n00b
But what can a CyanogenMod ROM do that the Android ROM can't ?
CyanogenMod simply offers a bunch of tweaks and little customizations not found in vanilla Android. For example you can add your own favorite apps to the lock screen slider, or apply themes that change the look of the device. It really just gives more options to personalize the phone to your liking.
CyanogenMod *is* Android.
Instead of being locked into a vendor android and their tweaks, it's an Open source Android release, with a lot of very cool features and improvements. It has a strong online community and sees regular updates, far beyond manufacturer support.
TFA claims "over 70 devices" but less than half of devices currently for sale from phone carriers or independent stores are supported by CM. There are vast numbers of Chinese tablets and phones that have no CM ported to them. In practice, "any Android device imaginable" boils down to "premium brand devices that have been abandoned by their vendors for major version updates". I like CM and it's spinoffs, it's very good for the ecosystem and it forces vendors to stay alert and keep supporting their hardware. However, claiming it has support for everything and the kitchen sink is just wrong and it may hurt it's credibility. Supporting over 70 devices is amazing, but it's not the over 1000 devices that are out there.
I was promised a flying car. Where is my flying car?
...and sees regular updates, far beyond manufacturer support.
Indeed. My Samsung Galaxy Nexus (Maguro) last saw a manufacturer update early last year. CyanogenMod is pretty nearly as current as it can get.