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Android Cellphones

CyanogenMod Windows-Based Installer Released, With Supporting Android App 74

Posted by Soulskill from the ready-for-prime-time dept.
Zanadou writes "CyanogenMod today released for general availability a friendly[er]-to-use Windows-based installer that will automagically (no need to first root and/or unlock the bootloader) step users though downloading, flashing and setting up an appropriate CyanogenMod version on supported Android phones. Along with this, a 'companion app' that apparently helps set up the installer is now available the Play Store, along with a newly-refreshed download page. Still no image for 'hammerhead' (Nexus 5), though."
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CyanogenMod Windows-Based Installer Released, With Supporting Android App More

CyanogenMod Windows-Based Installer Released, With Supporting Android App

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  • Support for Sprint HTC One (Score:3)

    by log0n ( 18224 ) on Wednesday November 13, 2013 @12:16AM (#45409169)

    Score!

    Just upgraded, love this phone. Not terribly interested in rooting/rom'ing like I used to be, but I do like having the CM option readily available.

  • This is a new advance from the CM people, why throw in the dig about the Nexus5, or are you just trying to brag that you have one?

    • Re:why be douchey about the latest shiny? (Score:4, Insightful)

      by log0n ( 18224 ) on Wednesday November 13, 2013 @12:21AM (#45409207)

      CM almost always targets the Nexus device first (since the Nexus line started) which then trickles to everything else. This is not the case this go round*, so the comment was probably a heads up to N5 owners wanting CM.

      (*probably because current CM is still JB, Nexus 5 is KK, so releasing for the 5 would require back porting JB, which is a lot of wasted effort)

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by jrumney ( 197329 )

        I don't think they've ever "targeted the Nexus device" within two weeks of it becoming available, so I don't think it is fair to claim that "This is not the case this go round".

        • Not sure if they've ever managed to get nightlies running on the new Nexus two weeks after its release, but they've always pretty much dropped everything to flock to the newest device as soon as it was available.

          • they've always pretty much dropped everything to flock to the newest device as soon as it was available.

            Usually giving up on the device I just bought... (4 phones in a row now - I sure know how to pick 'em ... I wonder if Apple will pay me not to buy an iPhone? ;^D )

  • Does this replace the kernel? (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward

    I can't seem to find this information but it the kernel is the biggest issue in any north american phone. Companies like Verizon and AT&T lock down the phone and it becomes incredibly difficult to replace the kernel with a custom one. My friend just sent me everything he used to unlock his just yesterday so I'll do it through his method but verizon is an ass that deserves to lose all of its customers.

    • Re:Does this replace the kernel? (Score:5, Informative)

      by __aaltlg1547 ( 2541114 ) on Wednesday November 13, 2013 @12:47AM (#45409377)

      From their wiki:
        -- begin fair use --

      Common questions

              Do I need to root my phone before installing?
                      No. You can have a rooted phone, or not. The installer doesn't care. However, to be in a supported configuration, you need to be running a stock ROM.
              Do I need to unlock my bootloader first?
                      No, you don't. If your bootloader is locked, we'll unlock it for you.
              Can I install if I'm running a custom ROM?
                      Provided the installer can identify your phone correctly, it doesn't matter which ROM you're running. Again, to be in a fully supported configuration, you should be running a stock ROM. If you're already running a custom ROM, you probably know what you're doing.
              How do I get back to stock?
                      You may perform a full backup from recovery, after flashing recovery (you will have to do this manually, at the moment) and then copy it off the device, if you don't have an external sdcard. If you've already run the installer, you will have to find stock images and flash them using fastboot or Odin.

      -- end fair use --

    • Yes it does, no it usually isn't the carrier who puts the locks in place. That is the phone manufacturer (which you seem to have omitted).

      I don't think any phone has stopped them for long.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by tepples ( 727027 )
        But it's the carriers who say "We won't activate your phones on our network unless you lock them down." CDMA2000 phones on Verizon, Sprint, and Sprint MVNOs don't use a CSIM, and AT&T requires subscribers to pay for a subsidized phone whether they get one or not.

  • Great work these guys are doing (Score:5, Insightful)

    by FuzzNugget ( 2840687 ) on Wednesday November 13, 2013 @02:08AM (#45409871)

    But I really wish the phone technology ecosystem didn't *require* good people, like the guys at CM, to do what they do.

    I'm referring mostly to the locked-down, restrictive, anti-user bullshit that defines the smartphone world. Boot loaders that are locked, software that you can't easily remove ... change any of that and you'll void your warranty, of course. When's the last time you voided a warranty on a real computer's hardware for modifying some fucking *software*?!

    I should be able to pop in a micro SD card into any smartphone (yes, all smartphones should support one) and install any operating system with the right drivers.

    Y'know, like a *computer* (because it is one)

    • So just buy an unlocked phone from AlShop.com or Souq.com or hundreds of others.

    • I can void my warranty on multiple pieces of hardware in my computer simply by overclocking. There are now hardware-level fuses that can't be reset on video cards, cpus, etc. I think that counts.

    • change any of that and you'll void your warranty, of course

      Just because the manufacturer says so, doesn't make it true: "Warrantors cannot require that only branded parts be used with the product in order to retain the warranty [wikipedia.org]."

      I'm not sure if a situation has actually occurred yet where a manufacturer actually declined to honor a warranty claim on faulty hardware due to the presence of "non-branded" software and got sued for it, though.

      Other than that, I agree with you wholeheartedly!

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Threni ( 635302 )

      You don't void your warranty in the EU doing that. You need to speak to a politician or something.

    • When's the last time you voided a warranty on a real computer's hardware for modifying some fucking *software*?!

      Overclocking.

      I should be able to pop in a micro SD card into any smartphone (yes, all smartphones should support one) and install any operating system with the right drivers.

      Nobody is obligated to sell you such a device, take the initiative and support programs like OpenMoko.

  • Apps (Score:3)

    by serviscope_minor ( 664417 ) on Wednesday November 13, 2013 @05:07AM (#45410585) Journal

    Does anyone know about what apps come with Cyanogenmod (my google fu is lacking. Mostly it talks about getting the google apps).

    I recently acquired a Nexus 4 (yay for the Nexus 5 creating a more vibrant market in second hand Nexi) ans was slightly surprised about the lack of apps already installed compared to my old Samsung phone.

    Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but a new computer not having a GUI file manager is like a trip back to 1985 with glitzier graphics. Having to download an ad-infested and possibly privacy invading app requireing "full network access" doesn't seem like an ideal solution.

    So, forgive my ignorance, but does CM provide an array of quality OSS apps for actually running the phone in addition to the base windowing system and kernel?

    • Of the fourth declension (Score:4, Insightful)

      by WaroDaBeast ( 1211048 ) on Wednesday November 13, 2013 @06:10AM (#45410839)

      I recently acquired a Nexus 4 (yay for the Nexus 5 creating a more vibrant market in second hand Nexi) ans was slightly surprised about the lack of apps already installed compared to my old Samsung phone.

      The plural of "nexus" in Latin in "nexûs." (Actually, the diacritic on the 'u' should be a macron, but alas, Slashdot won't display that character.)

      My €0.02.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by mcgrew ( 92797 ) *

        That's all well and good, but Nexus is not a Latin word, even though nexus is. Nexus is a made up brand name that has nothing to do with Latin, any more than Mars candy bars have anything to do with the planet Mars.

        • So, you're telling me that a Latin word that can mean "connection" or "binding" has nothing to do with a phone called "Nexus"? A phone is a tool that we use to connect to each other, right? I find it hard to believe that the people behind that brand just made up a name that exactly looks like an English word — that stems from Latin — when this sort of coincidence arises.

          At any rate, that doesn't really matter. I was merely pointing out to the grandparent poster that, if he wishes to use a Lat

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by bluec ( 1427065 )
      It is mostly AOSP with major changes to the settings, themes, some tweaks to stock apps and a lot under-the-hood goodness and performance enhancements, but as far as actual apps that are bundled: Apollo - a quite decent music player DSP Manager - an audio equalizer thing File Manager - a fairly limited file manager However this is quite irrelevant because all the tools/apps you need can be downloaded from google play quite easily. And why bloat a rom with apps?

    • I recently acquired a Nexus 4 (yay for the Nexus 5 creating a more vibrant market in second hand Nexi) ans was slightly surprised about the lack of apps already installed compared to my old Samsung phone.

      I bought the 4 and one reason for doing so was because of the lack of stuff installed by default :) You get to choose what you want on there. You want a GUI file manager? Then find one you like on the Play store. I use ASTRO mostly. You might have to pay to get it ad-free, but the phone is cheap and it's not a bad thing to support a good developer.

      • Then find one you like on the Play store.

        That's difficult. Filemanagers require access to everything plus full network access for ads. I have a hard job trusting programs such as that.

        You might have to pay to get it ad-free, but the phone is cheap and it's not a bad thing to support a good developer.

        Maybe I'm old fashioned, but the last OS I purchased without a graphical file manager was BBC BASIC. Win 95 onwards have one (I didn't purchase any versions of Windows before '95).

        Anyway, I tried the CM one on m

        • Anyway, I tried the CM one on my Nexus 4 and it works great.

          And that's what's great about Android: you can do what works best for you.

    • Does anyone know about what apps come with Cyanogenmod (my google fu is lacking. Mostly it talks about getting the google apps).

      So, forgive my ignorance, but does CM provide an array of quality OSS apps for actually running the phone in addition to the base windowing system and kernel?

      Looking for a place to post my, ... well this:

      I've used their mods for almost two years on my tablet. It was upgraded by to 4.12, CyanogenMod has taken it to 4.2.
      The tweaks they provide are better than Google/Motorola supplies. I can play with the Dual CPUs if I wanted to
      but happy to leave those alone, graphics, just a lot they've opened up to customization.

      Also the goodies they include are great, I'd of never known about them if not for CyanogenMod
      Apollo music player
      http://lifehacker.com/5962086/apollo-bri [lifehacker.com]

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by GweeDo ( 127172 )

      CyanogenMod comes with a full file manager by default. It is simply called "File Manager" in your app drawer.

      • CyanogenMod comes with a full file manager by default. It is simply called "File Manager" in your app drawer.

        Thanks! I don't have CM, but I've grabbed FileManager.apk and it works great.

  • Just ran it and.. (Score:5, Informative)

    by rikkards ( 98006 ) on Wednesday November 13, 2013 @07:07AM (#45411043) Journal

    It's pretty seamless. The only way they could make it better is if they put in a revert function or at least a backup so you get your old data back

    • "It's pretty seamless. The only way they could make it better is if they put in a revert function or at least a backup so you get your old data back"

      There's another BIG way they can make it better, create an installer that runs on other operating systems say, like GNU/Linux or OSX? Or better yet an installer that doesn't require another computer to do its thing. Smartphone are becoming as powerful as the computers of the Y2K, so why not an installer that can be run off the target device? It the lockdown cra

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Anonymous Coward

        Just a guess, but for many phones (even nexus) it's impossible to do some of the steps needed to install cyanogen without issuing commands to the phone over ADB. While if your phone is already rooted and (bootloader) unlocked you can install cyanogen without needing a computer, if you aren't in that state already, the installer tool on the PC will take care of that for you.

        • for many phones (even nexus) it's impossible to do some of the steps needed to install cyanogen without issuing commands to the phone over ADB.

          Then the cross-platform installer should require installation of Android SDK, which includes Android Debug Bridge, and pipe the necessary commands through the ADB executable.

      • There's another BIG way they can make it better, create an installer that runs on other operating systems say, like GNU/Linux or OSX?

        I'm sure that will come at some point but it's a relatively tiny portion of the market to support initially. Alternatively anybody could have written this and nothing stops anybody from writing a GNU/Linux or OSX version.

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