CyanogenMod is an aftermarket firmware for a number of cell phones and tablets based on the open-source Android operating system. It offers features not found in the official Android based firmwares of vendors of these cell phones. People often use it because the official firmware of their phone may not get an update or because they do not like the custom Android UI of the manufacturer.
The latest version is CyanogenMod 7 (11th of April 2011) with the following:
- Android version: 2.3.3
- Kernel 2.6.37.4 with CFS (Completely Fair Scheduler)
- Root access
- BusyBox tools
- Apps2SD
- Reboot menu – options to perform a reboot, reboot into recovery, or reboot into bootloader
- Input settings – Haptic feedback adjustments, trackball wake, menu unlock, music controls on lock screen
- Performance settings – surface dithering, JIT, VM heap size, and lock messaging in memory
CyanogenMod 7 also offers user interface improvement, some pre-install apps, networking support (OpenVPN, tethering, etc..), audio improvements, camera and camcorder enhancements and international support. See http://www.cyanogenmod.com/about for details.
The source code is open and can be retrieved via 5 git repositories:
- cm-kernel-exp: CyanogenMod Linux Kernel –
- htc-kernel-msm7x30: Kernel for HTC 7X30 devices – Vision, Ace, Glacier
- android_hardware_libhardware_legacy: Drivers for wifi, wimax, gps, sensors…
- cm-updater-manifest: Update files for CM Updater
- android_external_fuse: Fuse userspace driver for Android
Bear in mind that although this firmware is tested and optimized, there are risks that you damage your device. You’ll also root your device and lose you warranty. As CyanogenMod puts it:
While this build is heavily optimized, it is also capable of pushing your phone much harder. I am not responsible for bricked devices, dead SD cards, thermonuclear war, or the current economic crisis. Please do some research if you have any concerns about features included in this ROM before flashing it! YOU are choosing to make these modifications, and if you point the finger at me for messing up your device, I will laugh at you.
There are 24 devices (including 2 tablets) that are supported by CyanogenMod 7 (Android 2.3.3) namely:
| Google Nexus One | Motorola Droid | HTC Hero GSM | Samsung Galaxy S |
| Google Nexus S | HTC Desire CDMA | HTC Hero CDMA | Geeksphone One |
| HTC Desire GSM | HTC Desire HD (Inspire) | HTC Legend | HTC Click (Tattoo) |
| Sprint EVO | B&N Nook Color | T-Mobile myTouch Slide | Viewsonic G-Tablet |
| T-Mobile G2 (Desire Z) | T-Mobile myTouch 4G | HTC Wildfire | z71 Variants |
| HTC Incredible | ZTE Blade | AT&T Aria | HTC Magic (Mytouch) |
The firmware are available at http://www.cyanogenmod.com/devices to be installed with ROM Manager based on the instructions available on CyanogenMod wiki
If you want to see how it looks, its features and its performance, have a look at the video below where CyanogenMod 7 RC2 (21st of March 2011) is installed on Samsung Galaxy S. The release version (11th of April) may have fixed some bugs and performance issues.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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