Ars Checks Out CyanogenMod's New Installer

Ars Technica runs through the pretty and simple (but Windows-only) installer that is one of the first big fruits of the newly commercialized CyanogenMod project, and finds it very worthwhile. However, and despite being far easier for ordinary mortals than the error-prone process of the old way to put on CyanogenMod, it's not perfect: reviewer Ron Amadeo ran into troubles using it on his Nexus 4, and cautions: "If CyanogenMod Inc. really wants to lower the barrier to entry, they next thing they need is a way for users to just as easily go back to the setup they had before installing CyanogenMod. Currently, the installer is a one-way street. If the user decides CyanogenMod isn't for them and wants to go back, they're stuck. Even worse, they could run into the situation I did, where CyanogenMod installs but everything is broken. I've done this enough that I know how to go back to stock, but for a novice, they would have been abandoned with a broken phone."

Comments

Can they get phone stores to install it?

[Animats]

Unlocked phones are becoming more available, and more carriers offer "bring-your-own-device" plans. So this should be offered as something you get installed by small phone retailers or, for more volume, bulk importers of phones and tablets. It's useful for people who don't want to be tied to Google or Apple online services.

Re:Can they get phone stores to install it?

[DavidClarkeHR]

Unlocked phones are becoming more available, and more carriers offer "bring-your-own-device" plans. So this should be offered as something you get installed by small phone retailers or, for more volume, bulk importers of phones and tablets. It's useful for people who don't want to be tied to Google or Apple online services.

Unlocked bootloader is not the same as network unlocked, unfortunately.

And considering the legislative environment, it may never be the same. Thankfully, unlocked phones (both network and bootloader) are becoming quite common - thanks, in part to google (and the nexus devices). Also, it's been "a thing" in europe for some time, I hear.

Re:Can they get phone stores to install it?

[icebike]

Unlocked bootloader is not the same as network unlocked, unfortunately.

True, although Google is slowly repackaging Android such that you can update things without waiting for the
carriers, and as soon as they complete this process by kicking the radio and screen drivers outside the kernel
you will be able to do this easier.

(It was only desperation that got them into that mess of monolithic software loads in the first place. The damage
they had to do to linux while shoehorning it into Android was mostly in destroying Linux's hard won kernel packaging.)

Right now Cyanogenmod has to tiptoe around a bit to avoid pissing off the patent trolls that own the
radio drivers when they complete replace everything else, but attempt to leave your radios intact.

Re:FOR-PROFIT CORP !! NO THANX !!

[Joining Yet Again]

There is a difference between wages and profit.

Wages are necessary.
Breaking even is necessary.
Profit is a religious thing.

Oh, and you don't get to create artificial scarcity just to guarantee someone a viable business.