Development for the Galaxy S4 is taking off by leaps and bounds now that the device is landing in the hands of developers. And you know it’s going to be a good time when the founder of CyanogenMod, Steve Kondik takes to Google+ to show off Samsung’s newest flagship running a build of his custom firmware. Along with his post, he says, “Definitely not supporting the S4.” Oh, that guy sure has some knee slappers. 

Now that the device is shown running CyanogenMod, at least on this T-Mobile variant , have you decided whether you are picking one up? Unlocks could possibly be coming soon to other carrier versions of the device as we this morning, so development seems to be going swimmingly for this phone. Or was the locked bootloader on some versions even deterring you from buying one?

Via: +Steve Kondik

Cheers Willimus!

Steve “Cyanogen” Kondik Shows Off CM 10.1 Loaded Up on Galaxy S4 is a post from: Droid Life

Back in the summer of 2011, Steve “Cyanogen” Kondik took a software engineer job with Samsung, a move that many thought was a sign of the end of his increasingly popular CyanogenMod ROM. At the time, Steve assured the world that work on CM would continue, and sure enough, it has continued to thrive throughout his time at Android’s number one OEM. So how is his time at Samsung playing out? In a post last night on his Google+ account, Kondik made a new announcement (well, sort of) with regard to his status at Samsung, saying that he has left his job “but not because of anything in particular” and that Samsung was “great.” He’s looking to accomplish something new, which he may or may not have hinted as happening in a “couple of months.” 

But outside of his leaving Samsung, Kondik gave an off the cuff semi-review or initial thoughts on his time with the new Galaxy S4. He talked about how the Galaxy S3 is the device he uses everyday, so hardware-wise, was pleased with the GS4. He even took it a step further, saying that it “feels quite a bit more solid” and “blows the competition out of the water” when it comes to specs.

His thoughts on TouchWiz, on the other hand, were not so delightful. In his time with the Galaxy S4 and the newest version of TouchWiz, he felt as if the skin had reverted back to Gingerbread in some ways. There will be countless “Loading…” screens, a return of the fully tabbed UI, and an overall UI performance that is “average.”Kondik was a fan of Air View and the new camera software, but not so much a fan of Smart Scroll.

Last, he did say that the upgrade from a Galaxy S2 to the Galaxy S4 is a clear choice.

Via:  +Steve Kondik

Steve “Cyanogen” Kondik Talks Galaxy S4 While Leaving Job at Samsung is a post from: Droid Life

Who knows when the carriers will start getting official Ice Cream Sandwich updates out to phones. A long standby for the Android community has been being able to fall back on CyanogenMod when official updates were nowhere to be found. CM9 is in the works and has already hit the Google Experience devices in way of nightlies but are you wondering if it will get to your phone anytime soon? This nifty chart will explain what goes into making CM9 for a device and if yours will get it.

It may sound a little like Soup Nazi (Seinfeld references!) but ICS is quite an upgrade in the Android line and there are just some limitations to what a phone can do. One of the biggest changes to Cyanogen is whether there will be an official release of the device. Without the drivers for the phones they can only do so much on the development front. Is your device getting CM9 or is it time to upgrade to a new phone?

Via: Phandroid

Will Your Device Receive Some CyanogenMod 9 Love? This Flowchart Lays Out Your Options is a post from: Droid Life

If you feel like you are the only person to notice that there hasn’t been a huge amount of CyanogenMod 9 builds for the vast amount of Android devices released, don’t worry, you aren’t alone. With previous versions of Android, you could see CM ported to practically any device you could imagine. From the newest blog update on the releases of CM9, we get the feeling that the CyanogenMod team definitely has their work cut out for themselves this time with Ice Cream Sandwich:

Since Android 4.0 is such a major change from 2.3, we started with a fresh codebase from Google and have been forward-porting features from CM7 with an eye on design and better integration. This is a somewhat time-consuming process, but it allows us to rethink everything. We’ve eliminated the CMParts app, instead choosing to add our custom features directly into the main settings. We are also taking a “just works” approach when it comes to configuration- CM7 had too many options that just weren’t widely used. We hope to achieve a good balance between tweakability and a great out-of-the-box experience. I want your phone or tablet to feel like it should have come with CM9.

So far, many owners of anything besides a Nexus handset or purely Vanilla device such as the Motorola XOOM, have not received CyanogenMod 9. I wouldn’t say there will ever be riots of people demanding its release, but you can most certainly sense the yearn for the custom OS in the development threads of various forums. The CM team has always said that as soon as they know, the users will know. We’ll keep you posted.

Via: CyanogenMod

CyanogenMod Team Releases Update On Progress Of CM9 is a post from: Droid Life

When you combined official CyanogenMod installs with the abundance of installs of kanged ROMs in the wild, the number of users has now eclipsed 1 million. Quite the number, right there. Congrats CM team, can’t wait to see the official CM9 when it rolls out.  

Via:  Google+, CMStats

CyanogenMod Hits 1,000,000 Users is a post from: Droid Life

“Never ask for ETAs.”  Probably the most well known quote from the CyanogenMod Team.  It makes sense though, seeing that greatness can not be rushed.  Well I wouldn’t call this an actual ETA, but Cyanogen himself has gone ahead and posted up a blog letting everyone know their plans for distribution of CM9 – the newest custom ROM offering based on Google’s Ice Cream Sandwich.  According to Cyanogen, thanks to changes Google has made in their code, the CyanogenMod Team is going to be working extra hard to create working builds for multiple devices.  Little hiccups like this have never stopped them before.  No need for worry there. 

Google did a great job with ICS and added some really awesome features which in some cases replace or deprecate functionality that we had in CM7, so we are reevaluating all of our customizations. There are a number of challenges that we are up against. Google has made some pretty major changes to the Android framework that break compatibility with older proprietary camera and graphics drivers in order to achieve some pretty insane performance, but I am confident that the team will be able to overcome these issues like we have in the past.

Now for the sad news.  The CM team will no longer support the original “OG” DROID.  So all of you OG die-hards might as well upgrade to the next thing you see and like.  Galaxy Nexus?

The first devices (besides the Nexus S, which you can already get from Koush’s section on ROM Manager) that we’ll have ready will mostly likely be devices based on OMAP4, MSM8660/7X30, and Exynos. We also have some Tegra2 tablets in the pipeline such as the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Asus Transformer. Sorry Droid1 owners, we’re dropping support for you. Time to upgrade.

They took that phone all the way to Gingerbread.  You have to be thankful for that.  So there you have it.  Work on CM9 is well under way and if you own a Nexus S, you can already get a taste.  RIP OG.

Via: CyanogenMod

Cheers Jem!

Founder Of CyanogenMod Offers An Update On The Development Of CM9, Original DROID No Longer Supported is a post from: Droid Life

Twitter blew up last night after the announcement through Steve Kondik’s Facebook that he had joined the Samsung team. Steve is better know as “Cyanogen”, and is the leader of the extremely popular custom ROM team, CyanogenMod. After the announcment, Steve assured his many followers that this will not be the end CM, and that it will now become a side project for him, while still maintaining a leadership role at CM.

Android Guys was able to snag this quote:

…it’s a job and I’m glad that I can use what I learned from all this to do something cool in the real world :) I’ll still be doing code review and some leadership for CM, but I’ll be keeping it legit like always…I think we really broke away from the modding community. Most of us are professional engineers or in the field some way or another.

We wish Steve the best of luck at Samsung, and also would like to wish the rest of the CM team luck. We would also like to give a shout out to Samsung for seeing the extreme talent these guys possess.

Update: This tweet was just sent out by Sammy. Cheers Mark!

@SamsungMobileUS: There’s a new face at Samsung, AND HE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ANDROID DEVs IN THE WORLD! Learn about @cyanogen:http://smgm.us/Da7
Shared via TweetCaster

Via: Android Guys

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Steve “Cyanogen” Kondik Hired By Samsung As Software Engineer is a post from: Droid Life

If Sense 2.0 on the HTC Thunderbolt is not your cup of Android tea, then prepare yourselves for stock goodness with CyanogenMod 7.  A pre-alpha build started to make the rounds over the weekend and while it has a handful of expected issues, most brave testers are enjoying the heck out of it.  Again, this is pre-alpha, but it’s looking like we’ll be adding the Tbolt to the list of CM devices that we throw coverage at.

Who’s been testing it already?  Would love to hear your thoughts.  

Download links and instructions can be found at this XDA thread.

Cheers Bobrowitz and everyone else!

CM7 Pre-Alpha Available for the HTC Thunderbolt, Time to Ditch Sense for Stock is a post from: Droid Life

Just two weeks in after the official release of CM7 and we’ve got an update that fixes some of the bugs you may have encountered.  It also is the first official “stable” version of 7.0 that we’ve seen for the original DROID.  Nice work guys.  Now, if only everyone in this business would act this fast on bug fixes…

Downloads:  DROID | Incredible

Changelog.

Cheers Keith and blackcatroad!

CyanogenMod 7.0.2 Released for Original DROID and Incredible, Just a Bug Fixer for Most is a post from: Droid Life

CyanogenMod for the original Droid just got even more amazing, this time with lockscreen gestures from mtwebster.  What are lockscreen gestures?  Think of Google Gesture Search, only in a more practical manner on your lockscreen so that you can actually get some use out of i.t  You will now be able to set gestures to open up applications or perform actions and I’ll admit, this is pretty awesome.  Pull up your dialer, text message app, Facebook, or start navigating all from your lock screen with a simple swipe.  Not bad, right?

You can find this latest build in ROM Manager.

To set up gestures, open up Settings>CyanogenMod settings>Input settings>Lockscreen gestures and get rolling!

Via:  CM Forums

Cheers Picolas!

DROID Lockscreen Gestures Loaded into CyanogenMod 6.1 RC5 is a post from: Droid Life

The new CyanogenMod 6.1 RC1 has been released for a few phones, but most notably, the original Droid.  For those of us still milking every last drop of awesomeness from this device, you’ll be excited to see what’s in store for this latest version of CM.  It now includes the Galaxy S style power widget in the notification bar plus a ton of customized camera additions.  

Remember that this is still in “release candidate” stage and is not at all final.  Test away!

Instructions:

*Original DROID ONLY.

1.  You have to be rooted.  (Instructions)
2.  You have to have ROM Manager installed.
3.  Open ROM Manager, choose “Download ROM” and “CyanogenMod.”
4.  Tap on CyanogenMod 6.1 RC1.
5.  Check the option to include Google Apps.
6.  Once it finishes downloading, check both boxes to create a backup and wipe data and cache.

*If coming from another version of CyanogenMod you may be able to skip wiping data.

7.  Your phone will reboot and install the new CyanogenMod!  Enjoy!

View the full changelog here.

Visit CyanogenMod and donate here.

CyanogenMod 6.1.0 RC Released for Original DROID is a post from: Droid Life

So here we go!  Let’s get everyone on a custom 2.1 ROM and rooted…

*Warning* – The process we are about to layout is extremely risky.  If you choose to do this, we are not liable should you brick your phone or cause any sort of permanent damage.  If you do harm to your phone, please do not email us asking for help as you have already been warned and accept all risk involved. Cheers!

Initial steps…

1.  You have to follow the steps from yesterday on flashing SPRecovery using RSD Lite.

2.  You need to find a custom ROM that you would like installed.  In the video I’ve chosen the ROM that I’ve been using over the last week called JRummy’s Remix which is based off of CyanogenMod 5.0.5.7.  It’s a fantastic ROM.

3.  I used the “update.zip” method of installing a custom ROM in this video.  This process will work for any ROM which has the option of installing using an update.zip file.  Here is a list of similar ROMs to the one I have in the video…

• JRummy’s Cyan Theme
• JRummy’s Blue Theme
• JRummy’s Green Theme
• Simply Stunning 3.1

4.  If you find a ROM which will only allow the Nandroid backup method, this video should help you out.

Video instructions…

Step-by-step instructions…

1.  Update and backup any files you wish to restore, this will wipe /data.
2.  Download your ROM of choice and rename to update.zip.
3.  Place the ROM on the root of your sdcard.
4.  Reboot into recovery mode (hold the power and “x” button at the same time).
5.  Choose “Wipe data/factory reset”.
6.  Choose “Wipe cache partition”.
7.  Choose “Install”.
8.  Choose “Allow update.zip installation”.
9.  Choose “Install /sdcard/update.zip (deprecated)”.
10.  Reboot and you will have to add your Google accounts again.
11.  Done!  Enjoy!

*Note 1* – Keep in mind that you can flash one of the ROMs listed above which will give you 2.1 plus root access and if you do not like it, download ROM Manager and change to whatever you’d like.  There is also a 2.1 stock ROM with root available in ROM Manager.

Questions?  As always, drop them in the comments so that we can all take a shot at answering them!

Video: Installing a Custom ROM Using SPRecovery is a post from: Droid Life

Video action…

What theme are some of you currently using?  NexTheme?  Smoked Glass-esque?  Still on Ultimate Droid?

And if you’ve got questions, feel free to drop them in the comments and let the community have at ‘em!

Oh, and 2.1 still hasn’t been rooted.

Video: Installing a Custom Theme Using ROM Manager is a post from: Droid Life

Frustrated that you didn’t receive the Nexus One’s 3D app drawer/launcher when your official 2.1 update finally arrived?  You can turn that frown upside down today my friends. (So cheesy!)  The Launcher2 has hit the market for non-rooted 2.1 users.  Yes NON-rooted 2.1 users and works like butter.  How about a third time?  Make sure you are running the official 2.1 update and have not rooted a thing.

It will cost you $1.99 but that cash goes straight to the developer who happens to be the same guy that keeps pumping out CyanogenMod ROMs.

Head to the market now and search for either “Clockworkmod Launcher” or “Launcher 2” and you should find it.

Update 10:15AM 4/6: Early reviews are spread throughout the comments.  Not one issue that I can see.  Although, it should be noted that this launcher does not have the 4 persistent apps like the HelixLauncher and to some people is reason enough to not use it.  It does however work flawlessly in landscape mode which the previous ported version struggled with.  You get 5 screens and can consider yourself a 3D drawer superstar.

Update 2:12PM 4/6: Looks like the price has been raised to $2.99.  Koush must have seen all of the Droid Life readers flocking to download.  Sneaky.  Also to be noted, Koush has responded in the comments with good news for those of you wanting the 4 persistent icons.  He plans on adding them in a future release.

Cheers Tom!

Launcher2 Hits Market as ClockworkMod Launcher is a post from: Droid Life

If you have gone through the process of installing one of the new CyanogeMod ROMs, then chances are that you are unable to overclock it past 600Mhz.  Don’t panic!  We can fix you!  What we’ll have to do is install a new overclock-able kernel which is super simple.

*Warning* – The process we are about to layout is extremely risky.  If you choose to do this, we are not liable should you brick your phone or cause any sort of permanent damage.  If you do harm to your phone, please do not email us asking for help as you have already been warned and accept all risk involved. Cheers!

*Note 1* – Overclocking can only be performed on a rooted Droid.  Rooting can be completed by following this post.

1.  Open ROM Manager hit the Options key and choose “Developer Mode” and “OK”.
2.  Then “Download ROM” and “CyanogenMod”.
3.  You should now be able to choose “bekit Kernels” from the list.  (See Note 2)
4.  You are prompted with options for various kernels, choose one.  Click “OK”.
5.  Allow the kernel to download and when prompted, do NOT choose “wipe data”.  Backup if you want.
6.  Phone will boot into recovery and install your new kernel. (See Note 3)
7.  Once it boots back up, return to SetCPU and you should now be able to overclock.
8.  Done!

*Note 2* – For all kernel support, follow this thread at the Cyanogen forums.  We’ll also put a light description on kernels below.

*Note 3* – If you phone freezes at the M logo, it does not like the kernel you chose.  Perform a battery pull, reboot into recovery and restore one of your nandroid backups.  Go back into ROM Manager and choose another kernel.

And now a little background on these bekit kernels:

• New CyanogenMod ROMs all come with the stock kernel meaning you need to choose a new one to be able to overclock.
• Bekit Kernels are all “low voltage” unless it says otherwise.  This means they put less strain on your Droid and should also enhance battery life.  Higher voltage kernels should probably be left to super advanced users and the low ones to the rest of us.
• These kernels come in either 5 or 7 slot.  This means you have either 5 or 7 different speeds to choose from on that particular kernel.  For example, on a 5 slot it could be overclocked to “250/400/550/800/1000″ and on a 7 slot it could be “125/250/400/500/550/600/800″.
• When you are prompted to pick a kernel, the MHz or GHz listed is the highest that kernel will go.  For example, if you choose “5 Slot 1.1 Ghz 0.8.1″ your max overclock speed would be 1.1 Ghz.
• “0.8.1″ is simply the version number that is currently available.  This really means nothing when choosing.

Drop your questions in the comments and we’ll be sure to get to as many as possible!

Huge cheers to TOM!

Unable to Overclock CyanogenMod? Install a New Kernel! is a post from: Droid Life