CM 14.1: what it is, how to get it and what devices are supported by CyanogenMod

When you say 'custom ROM' it's hard not to think 'CyanogenMod'. For many people the two terms are virtually interchangeable while for others CyanogenMod is at the very least at the top of the ROM pyramid. So what is CyanogenMod and how can you get CM 14.1 on your device?

What is CyanogenMod?

Cyanogen is the online handle of Steve Kondik, the man behind the first CyanogenMod ROM from way back in 2009. A custom ROM is essentially just firmware for a device that isn't what it came out of the box with.

Many ROMs are based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) – the source code behind stock Android – with some looking a lot like stock Android, including CyanogenMod, while others get pretty crazy pretty fast. These variations on what Google releases are called forks of Android, and include things as varied as Amazon's Fire OS, CyanogenMod and the Nokia X platform.

Not all of these forks are compatible with Google apps, but some, like CyanogenMod, can have Google's app suite sideloaded after the ROM is installed. The reason Google apps don't just come bundled with CyanogenMod is because CyanogenMod hasn't licensed them, but they work fine all the same. Of course, if you want to "de-Google" your phone, CyanogenMod works fine without Google apps too.

See also:

Understanding the differences between CyanogenMod, Cyanogen OS & Cyanogen, Inc.

July 7, 2016

What is CM 14.1?

CM 14.1 is simply the latest version of CyanogenMod, based on the Android 7.1 Nougat source code. CM 14, as the name probably implies, is based on Android 7.0 and CM 14.1 is Android 7.1.

Generally, when you're flashing a custom ROM you're going to want the latest version, because that's largely what custom ROMs are about – getting the latest version of Android on a phone that is no longer supported by the manufacturer. But even once you've decided to dive in and flash a particular custom ROM, you still have a few more options to choose from.

If you're feeling really adventurous, you can flash Nightlies, which are daily releases of whatever the ROM team has been working on that day. Nightlies represent the "bleeding edge" of the ROM scene and include the very latest features available, but it must be noted that they quite often come with bugs and instability. As such, they're not recommended for flashing on your daily driver.

After Nightlies you have Experimental builds which can also be pretty buggy and then Snapshot builds, which tend to be released every few months when a milestone feature has been added. Snapshots are what most folks flash, as they offer a generally bug-free and stable experience but still get updated regularly.

What's in CM 14.1?

Everything you'll find in Android 7.1 Nougat and then some. As mentioned above, CyanogenMod tends to look very much like stock Android, but with various additional features and options sprinkled throughout.

Split screen mode, quick app switching, bundled notifications and Quick Reply, DPI scaling for resizing on-screen content at a system level and the new-look Settings menu are all on board, just like in stock Nougat. But CyanogenMod offers much more than stock. Besides the Trebuchet launcher experience, CM 14.1 also offers way more customization than stock Android.

There's LiveDisplay, which is a kind of adaptive screen mode that changes your screen temperature and colors automatically depending on time of day and ambient conditions. Expanded desktop, on the other hand, automatically hides the status bar and/or navigation bar to give you a more immersive experience round the clock.

CM 14.1 also offers battery and notification LED controls, pre-set AudioFX audio settings, power-saving performance profiles with automatic optimization, customizable button layouts and shortcuts, a customizable power-off menu, enhanced privacy settings, system profiles that can be triggered automatically and a fully customizable status bar. And it's still not even finished.

See also:

Android Nougat update: when will you get it?

23 hours ago

What devices support CM 14.1?

The CyanogenMod team are constantly releasing new ROMs for an ever-increasing list of supported devices. Some of these devices are new, like the Nexus 6P or OnePlus 3, while others are seriously long in the tooth like the Galaxy S3. But whether you're turning to CM simply for a change of pace or as a means to keep your old Android chugging along as long as possible, the list just keeps growing.

Because that list is almost comically long, we won't list all the devices supported by CyanogenMod here. We typically cover the more significant and popular devices to get CM 14.1 support, most of which you can see below, but if you want to search for your device specifically, head to CyanogenMod's download page and use the list on the left to locate your device's code name and see what your options are.

• CM 14.1 arrives for the OnePlus X
• CM14.1 for Galaxy S3, Moto X Play, Moto E 2015 LTE, LG Optimus L70 
• CM 14.1 for 2014 Moto X, HTC One Max, Galaxy S3 and Moto, OPPO and Xiaomi devices
• CM 14.1 available for Nextbit Robin, Nexus 5 and OPPO devices
• CM 14.1 out now for HTC One A9, One M8, LG G3 Beat and more
• The Nexus 4 gets Nougat courtesy of CM 14.1 along with the LG G3 and Galaxy S5
• CM 14.1 arrives for the OnePlus One, OnePlus 2, Nexus 6 and Xperia devices
• First cab off the CM 14.1 rank is the OnePlus 3

How to flash CM 14.1 on your device

First up, you'll need an unlocked bootloader. The process for this varies depending on your handset, so just do a little Googling. A lot of phones simply require you to enable Developer Options (go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number until Developer options appears in the settings) and then flip the toggle for OEM unlocking.

The bootloader unlock process is then (usually) as simple as firing off a fastboot command through a command window. Again, check the specifics for your particular model. You'll also need USB Debugging enabled in Developer options and you're highly advised to do a full backup before proceeding. A fully charged battery isn't a bad idea either.

You'll want to install a custom recovery on your phone (we recommend TWRP) because this is what you use to flash CyanogenMod and the Google apps package on your phone. Then, all you need to do is download the particular CM 14.1 ROM you're after along with the Gapps package you'll want to flash in recovery afterward.

There's little point providing more detailed instructions than these, as there are several methods available and all phones are slightly different. But if this basic outline sounds simple enough to you, then just Google the flashing method for your particular phone model, read the comments to ensure it works, and proceed carefully.

As always, there are some risks involved and there's always the possibility of bricking your phone if you get something wrong. As such, I wouldn't recommend you try this for the first time on your fancy new phone, but if you have an old device lying round that has CM 14.1 support or even an older version, then why not roll up your sleeves, take a deep breath and have a crack at it. Happy flashing.

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OnePlus X gets Android 7.1 Nougat via CyanogenMod 14.1 Nightlies

You know something is up when a volunteer army can offer better update support for a new Android device than the developers getting paid to do it. I've been pretty critical of OnePlus' software update efforts in the past, and am happy to admit that things might be taking a turn for the better. But sadly the OnePlus X is not among the list of OnePlus devices that's ever likely to see an official Nougat update.

That may be more due to Qualcomm refusing to update the device's graphics drivers than OnePlus' negligence, but you'd be forgiven if you were a little upset that the OPX got dropped a year after release. Fortunately, the CyanogenMod team are here to save the day. This time, by delivering Android 7.1 Nougat Nightlies for the OnePlus X. Vulkan API compatibility and Snapdragon 801 worries begone.

See also:

Best OnePLus X cases

April 20, 2016

I've been using CM 14.1 Nightlies recently and they are remarkably stable for Nightly builds. I haven't flashed CM 14.1 on the OnePlus X yet but wouldn't be at all surprised if it were stable enough to be a daily driver. As always though, nightly builds can be temperamental and a tad persnickety. Just so you're aware.

CM 14.1 for the OnePlus X is far from the first Nougat-based ROM for the device, but it is likely to be the one that stays on most OPX's the longest. CM 14.1 adds just enough to stock that it feels very much like an equal alternative to OnePlus' OxygenOS. You'll miss out on some OP features like Shelf, but gain a bunch more that are equally impressive.

CM 14.1 is based on Android 7.1 Nougat, and will deliver much the same CM experience to the OnePlus X as that found on other CM 14.1 ROMs, which you can check out in greater detail at the link. Likewise, if you need a quick refresher on what's new in Android 7.1 check out that link for more.

DOWNLOAD CM 14.1 FOR THE ONEPLUS X

Will you flash CyanogenMod on your OnePlus X?

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AirPods receive a score of 0 from iFixIt, virtually impossible to repair

Apple's AirPods are all the hype these days, and although they may not have much to do with Android (except you can use them with an Android device), wireless headphones are bound to become the norm for any smartphone in the near future. Apple's AirPods are certainly not the first ever Bluetooth headphones, but I can't think of any other truly portable in-ear wireless earphones that received the same amount of attention.

See also:

Deal: Jaybird Freedom F5 and X3 wireless headphones on sale for $99 ($80/$30 off)

21 hours ago

Well, the folks over at iFixIt did what they always do and had a look inside these headphones, and I have to say, if you bought yourself a pair, don't lose them and most importantly, don't break them. According to iFixIt, Apple's super-hyped headphones are virtually impossible to repair and are essentially unrecyclable. In fact, they received an abysmal score of 0 on their reparability scale.

I was personally not impressed with Apple's AirPods announcement – they looked like Apple's regular cheap, plastic headphones, except somebody just took a pair of scissors and cut all the wires. The elongated stems awkwardly hang from your ears, and although I haven't used them, I honestly can't imagine their being all that useful when exercising.

iFixIt's first issue is more related with the quality of these headphones instead of their design. According to its X-ray imagery, there are some quality issues in the chip's solder joints; iFixIt says, "Empty spaces, known as voiding, could be evidence of low quality standards, or a rushed product release." Of course, given the delay the AirPods experienced, this isn't impossible, and given the $160 price tag, none of this should be there.

iFixIt says, "Empty spaces, known as voiding, could be evidence of low quality standards, or a rushed product release."

However, the main problem – at least for iFixIt – is the headphones' reparability. As you can see from the video above, the team at iFixIt has to destroy the headphones in order to access the internal components. That means repairing broken out-of-warranty AirPods at home is out of the question. Not only that, glue is the only external fastener used in the earbuds – and the case – and there's lots of it. Though glue is probably the easiest and the cheapest way to put everything together in such small casing, Apple that we are used to is all about aluminium and minimalist but sturdy screws that hold everything together.

The use of glue poses an environmental concern as well: according to iFixIt, when products are glued together like Apple's latest earbuds, recycling them costs more than what recyclers can earn from recycling, meaning most of AirPods won't even be recycled once their life cycles are up.

Have you ordered Apple's AirPods? Does reparability matter to you? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

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HTC X10 may launch next month with Helio P10 SoC and $290 price tag

 

 

 

The HTC X10, HTC's rumored upcoming midrange phone, may arrive next month featuring a MediaTek Helio P10 processor and Full HD display. The speculation arrives from MyDrivers, which also suggested the handset would carry an RMB 2,000 price tag, the equivalent of around $288.

The HTC X10 was spotted among seven other phones in a recent filing to the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) in November. The only information at the time regarding the specs of the phone suggested dual and single SIM variants would arrive.

See also:

HTC is teasing something "big" that will be revealed on Jan. 12

17 hours ago

Accompanying the Helio P10 processor, introduced in Summer 2015 and since featured in phones from UMI, Elephone and Meizu, the device could house a 5.5-inch display, 3 GB of RAM and a 13 MP rear camera, suggests MyDrivers.

The HTC X9, the X10's predecessor, was released in late February 2016 in North Asia; the HTC X10 is expected to be made official sometime in January, perhaps in time for CES 2017.

We'll likely have more on the HTC X10 in the coming weeks. For now, what are your thoughts on the HTC X10? Let us know in the comments.

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Deal: Save $440 on the LG V10, just $260

The LG V10, which started selling in the US back in October 2015, is now on sale. Daily Steals has knocked $440 off the device that can now be yours for only $259.99. There are two color options to choose from. You can get your hands on either a black or blue version of LG's phablet, which is unlocked and AT&T branded.

Although the LG V10 is more than a year old and has now had to take a back seat to its successor, the V20, it's still a great device. Especially at this price point. It features a large 5.7-inch display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels and a secondary 2.1-inch screen on the front, which is great for app shortcuts and notifications. It's powered by the Snapdragon 808 processor and has 4 GB of RAM.

See also:

LG V20 vs LG V10 comparison: evolving the beast

September 16, 2016

There's a 16 MP camera on the back with an f/1.8 aperture and laser autofocus, while the front-facing selfie snapper has a 5 MP sensor. LG's V10 also boasts a fingerprint scanner located on the back, below the camera, 64 GB of storage and a 3,000 mAh battery. The V20 ships with Android 5.1 Lollipop on board, although it'll have a Marshmallow update waiting as soon as you turn it on and should make the jump to Nougat in the new year.

If you're in the market for a new phone and have decided to take the deal offered by Daily Steals, head over to the company's website by clicking the button below. But keep in mind that the offer is available for a short period of time and will expire in 4 days.

Get the Deal

What do you think about this deal? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Instagram update adds hands-free recording and holiday-themed content

The latest Instagram update, version 10.3, introduces several new features including a hands-free recording mode, more stickers and holiday content.

The new camera interface lets users record a video by tapping the record button once, rather than pressing and holding it like previously. "Whether you're playing a guitar solo, building a snowman or perfecting your handstand, there's no need to press and hold," said Instagram in the update announcement.

You can also now add customizable weather, time and location stickers to snaps. Instagram says adding location stickers works much the same as tagging the locations of posts shared on your feed. Those watching your story will be able to learn more about the location but the story won't appear on the location page itself.

Meanwhile, Instagram has also rolled out holiday-themed stickers, such as snowmen and Christmas trees, which will be available for the next few weeks, with more themed stickers on their way in time for new year.

Download Instagram from Google Play at the link and head below the break to catch up on other recent Instagram updates.

See also:

How to delete your Instagram account

November 20, 2016

Recent updates

Bookmarks

December 14: Instagram now lets you save posts that you'd like to revisit later. You should see a new bookmark icon underneath each and every post in your feed. When you find a photo or video that you'd like to save, tap the bookmark icon, and that's it. The post will be saved to a new, private tab on your profile, where you can see all the posts you've saved. The best part? Posts saved in your bookmarks tab are only visible to you.

Live video streaming

December 12: Instagram is the latest social networking giant to support live video streaming. Users can stream up to one hour of live video at a time, though video clips from the live streaming feature can't be saved at this time. It's only live in the US for now, but more regions will gain support for the feature soon.

Boomerang videos and Story mentions

November 10: Boomerang videos are now baked into the Instagram app. Just swipe right from the main feed page, select Boomerang, then you'll be able to create short GIF-like clips that you can share directly to your account. In addition, Instagram has added support for mentioning users in Stories.

Save posts as drafts

September 20: You can finally save Instagram posts as drafts. We're not sure why this feature wasn't available in previous versions, but we're happy it's here now.

Download Instagram from Google Play

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Amazon to take on Flipkart with the largest investment to date

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Looks like Amazon wants to be the top dog in India. In an effort to take on Flipkart, its biggest rival in the country, the American-based company has invested Rs 2,010 crore in its Indian operations. According to regulatory filings, the investment was made in November and is the largest to date by Amazon. It brings the total investment in Amazon Seller Services to Rs 7,000 crore in the past 12 months.

In an interview with The Economic Times, a representative for Amazon India said that the company will invest as much as it takes in order to become customers' preferred choice in India. Amazon really is trying hard to take business away from Flipkart and other competitors and has reportedly lost more than Rs 1,000 crore during the festive season in October by offering customers special offers and discounts.

The company has also introduced quite a few new services in the country this year. Amazon Prime, which offers customers guaranteed delivery in a day or two and early access to great deals, went live in July. About a week ago, Amazon launched the Prime Video service that goes up against Netflix. It has also recently announced the Amazon Now service– available in Mumbai in Delhi — that lets you buy groceries from various local stores and offers a two-hour delivery.

See also:

Moto G4 and Moto G4 Plus discounted on Amazon India

1 day ago

Amazon is clearly gunning for Flipkart, which will now have to step up its game in response. According to Satish Meena, an analyst with Forrester Research, Flipkart was investing big in 2015 but has cut down its spending this year. If it wants to counter Amazon, the company will now have to raise more capital from investors.

What do you think about Amazon's recent investment? Will it help the company to become the biggest online retailer in the country? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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