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Finished CyanogenMod 10.2 arrives as focus shifts to Android 4.4 KitKat
Android fans who've been waiting for a stable edition of CyanogenMod 10.2 can finally start their downloads. Cyanogen has just released its final version of the custom firmware, giving the curious a (relatively) safe way to try the company's take on Android 4.3. Don't expect future support from Cyanogen beyond the usual bug and security fixes, though. The stable 10.2 release marks the formal end to development of Jelly Bean-based ROMs -- after this, the coding team is shifting its attention to CyanogenMod 11, the first release based on Android 4.4 KitKat.
Oppo's swiveling N1 smartphone to be available worldwide on December 10th for $599
Oppo promised that its swivel camera-toting N1 smartphone would arrive in December, and it's making good on that promise today by offering international launch details. An unlocked HSPA+ version of the 5.9-inch Android flagship should be available through Oppo Style and other outlets on December 10th, when it will cost $599 in the US and €449 in Europe. The company hasn't said whether this is the 16GB or 32GB model. There's also no mention of whether or not N1s with CyanogenMod pre-installed will arrive on the same day, although those who get the ColorOS-based phone should have a relatively easy time loading Cyanogen's firmware. You won't have to wait until the 10th to find out if the device is worthwhile -- our colleagues at Engadget Chinese have just reviewed the N1, and they believe that it competes well against many of its global rivals.
CyanogenMod Installer pulled from Google Play, lives on via sideloading
The CyanogenMod team made switching from your phone's original Android setup to its own flavor of the OS much easier with paired mobile and desktop installer apps, but now there's one extra step. In a blog post, CyanogenMod states the Google Play Support team contacted it and claims the installer app is in violation of their TOS. This, despite CyanogenMod's insistence that the app's only purpose is to enable ADB on the device, then guide users through connecting it to the desktop app. Despite "hundreds of thousands" of installs for its alternative Android experience, the mobile app is still usable via sideloading, and its installation guide walks users through the necessary steps. Going forward, the CyanogenMod team is submitting its app to Samsung and Amazon's alternative app stores, but interested Android users can download it right now.
Oppo's VP resigns amid rumors of building an online brand with Cyanogen Inc.
Recent years saw the birth of many new online brands in China, with Xiaomi being the most notable one with its complete ecosystem on top of aggressive pricing. And at last, it looks like local competitor Oppo wants a share of that pie as well. According to a rumor from just before the weekend, the company's VP Pete Lau (pictured above) will be developing a new online brand from scratch, and its first product will feature top hardware specs along with CyanogenMod -- the same renowned Android ROM that's headed to Oppo's flagship N1 and Find 5. More interestingly, Lau has just announced that today's his last day at Oppo.
CyanogenMod makes installing its Android OS a breeze with new desktop and mobile apps
Making CyanogenMod the third major mobile ecosystem is a lofty goal, but the minds behind the custom Android ROM have just made it easier for smartphone users to join their ranks. Rather than installing the operating system by hand, folks can now rely on the freshly-released CyanogenMod Installer app -- which just arrived on the Play Store -- to do the heavy lifting. A smartphone wielding the application can score the latest version of CyanogenMod by being hooked up to a windows PC (with Windows Vista or newer) running the companion desktop software. The majority of current flagship devices are supported by the setup, and the devs say they're working on adding more models to the list. Head to the source links below if you're ready to embrace this outsider operating system, just be sure to back up your handset's data beforehand.
CyanogenMod 10.2 M1 release arrives with Android 4.3, 4.4 decisions likely weeks away
CyanogenMod is cranking out "Milestone 1" release builds for the 10.2 version of its software tonight, targeting a preview for over 70 devices if all goes well. Based on Android 4.3, the latest edition of the open source mobile OS project will bring a number of tweaks to the wide swath of hardware its developers support -- even when the original manufacturers sometimes don't. It's unfortunately shipping in the shadow of the just-unveiled Android 4.4 KitKat, but the team plans to polish and ship this version even as it begins work on the next update. If you're wondering which devices it will (or won't -- Galaxy Nexus?) support as it moves on to 4.4 you'll have to cool your heels, as decisions on that front are likely weeks away. As we've seen with previous milestone releases, this one is likely "good enough" for users to give a try, prior to the eventual release candidate and officially stable versions ship in coming days/weeks/months.
Daily Roundup: Distro Issue 109, Valve's Steam Controller, CyanogenMod creator Steve Kondik and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
CyanogenMod 10.1.3 arrives with remote find and wipe capabilities
Good news is now at hand for CyanogenMod fans who like a bit of stability in their lives, because the general release builds of CyanogenMod 10.1.3 are now hitting server mirrors. As a nice bonus, support for CM Account is baked into this release (previously available only in the 10.2 nightlies), which allows users to locate and remotely wipe their missing devices -- a feature that's awfully similar to Android Device Manager. If all goes according to plans, CyanogenMod 10.1.3 will be the last of the Android 4.2-based builds, as the team is now investing the bulk of its work on CyanogenMod 10.2, which is based on Android 4.3. Once you have the latest version, perhaps you'll consider pairing it with the impressive Focal camera app.
Oppo N1 puts a 13MP camera on a hinge, comes with CyanogenMod extras
Oppo's been prepping its photography-centric N1 for quite some time, but at last, the teasing stops today as the company unveils its first N-Lens series device in Beijing. We're looking at a 1.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 phone with a 5.9-inch 1080p display, an "O-Touch" backside touch panel (for scrolling and taking photos) and a generous 3,610mAh battery, but the focus is obviously on the camera. Not only do you get a 13-megapixel imager with an f/2.0, 6-element lens plus dual LED, but it's also rotatable over 206 degrees! While THL's W11 beat the N1 to being the first phone with both a front and back 13-megapixel cameras, it's not as versatile as the latter's implementation, and it's ultimately all about the image quality. In case you're wondering, Oppo said the N1's swivel camera has passed a 100,000-time rotation test, which works out to be seven years of usage if you rotate it 40 times a day. This is quite reassuring, given that you can also activate the camera -- which takes just 0.6 seconds -- with a rotation of over 120 degrees. Oppo also boasted that its camera's been tested in over 100 scenarios, which is apparently the highest in the industry. Other features include long exposure of up to 8 seconds, an updated version of Oppo's beautification algorithm, and support for video beautification in China's popular IM app, QQ.
Focal camera app removed from CyanogenMod, launched as standalone beta
Not everyone is happy with Cyanogen as a company. Guillaume Lesniak, the creator of CyanogenMod's Focal camera app, doesn't like that licensing changes accompanying the new venture would limit his control. Accordingly, he has just removed Focal from CyanogenMod and launched it as a standalone beta. The app includes all the features from its ROM days, including burst shooting, a panorama mode and an equivalent to Google's Photo Sphere. While the release is a mild inconvenience for CyanogenMod users, it's ultimately a win for anyone who wants to try Focal -- they can now give the app a spin regardless of the firmware they use. If you're curious, you can download Focal through Google Play.
Cyanogen is now a company, aims to be third major mobile ecosystem
CyanogenMod has grown unusually quickly in the past several months, polishing its custom Android firmware and introducing new services. We now know why the team has been so busy -- it's quietly been operating as a full-fledged company since April. The newly announced Cyanogen Inc., led by Boost Mobile co-founder Kirt McMaster, is devoted solely to building CyanogenMod as a platform. Some of the project's veteran developers are now full-time staff, including Steve Kondik (CTO) and Koushik Dutta (VP of Engineering). Read on to learn what the company has in store, including its hopes of eventually competing on the same level as heavy-hitters like Apple and Google.
CyanogenMod accounts coming in next nightly builds
Folks who download the coming nightly builds of CyanogenMod may notice something new to play with in their settings: an option to add an account for the popular Android ROM. Once users register and sign in on their device, they'll have access to a service that can pinpoint their handset's location on a map. When hardware is in danger of falling into the wrong hands, it can be wiped from the web using the profile it was assigned to. Hit the source links below for the dev team's announcement and to check for the latest release.
Refresh Roundup: week of September 2nd, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
CyanogenMod details Device Finder, promises a secure way to track lost phones
While there's no shortage of tools to find lost Android smartphones, they're not especially secure; it's theoretically easy to spy on a handset without consent. The CyanogenMod team may foil those would-be snoopers with its newly detailed Device Finder service. Unlike many locators, Device Finder avoids storing passwords and encryption keys on its servers. Only the user's browser and the missing gadget know how to talk to each other, reducing the chances that ne'er-do-wells will steal logins or conduct man-in-the-middle attacks. The optional tool will eventually find its way into future CyanogenMod ROMs, although the developers have already posted source code for those who want to verify Device Finder's security first-hand.
CyanogenMod 10.2 nightlies arrive, offer an unofficial taste of Android 4.3
Official Android 4.3 upgrades are currently few and far between, but you won't have to wait for one if you're willing to experiment -- the first CyanogenMod 10.2 nightly builds have arrived. As of this writing, those with Samsung's Captivate, Galaxy S Relay 4G or AT&T Galaxy S III can install the unofficial firmware to take advantage of 4.3's new features. Just be aware that you're taking more risks than usually exist with such firmware; this is an early release of unsanctioned code, after all. If that's no deterrent, the first releases of CyanogenMod 10.2 await at the source link.
Refresh Roundup: week of July 29th, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Mobile Miscellany: week of July 22nd, 2013
If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought hints of a jumbo-sized Lumia smartphone, an early preview of an advanced camera app for CyanogenMod and the arrival of the Meizu MX2 in white. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of July 22nd, 2013.
Refresh Roundup: week of July 8th, 2013
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
CyanogenMod tweak lets Google Voice SMS work through other apps
Many Android-based Google Voice users don't like having to use the official Google Voice app for text messaging, especially when its performance can be flaky. They now have some choice courtesy of experimental code from ClockworkMod's Koushik Dutta. His test release lets those running CyanogenMod nightlies send and receive Google Voice SMS through any suitable Android app as long as Google's software is present. The project should be helpful, although there's no question that there's some risk involved -- it's a beta that requires an unstable custom ROM, after all. If that's no deterrent, though, you can get Dutta's code and instructions from the source links.
CyanogenMod 10.1 goes stable, set for release tonight
Just over a month has passed since CyanogenMod 10.1 went into a release candidate phase, and now it's getting ready to emerge from its development cocoon as a stable release. The code isn't available for most gadgets just yet, but it's set to arrive on the project's servers sometime tonight. Support for all Tegra 2-infused hardware and some Samsung devices with Exynos chips has been left out of this distro, but a "status report" for those machines is due later in the week. Now that the the Cyanogen Mod team has reached the 10.1 milestone, it'll focus on monthly releases to bake in other features and functionality. Click the second source link to check if your device's build has gone stable.