Current Status of CyanogenMod

Current situation.

The last couple of days have been difficult. What really became clear is that AOSP is a framework. It is licensed in such a way that everyone can take it, change it to their needs and distribute it at will. Android belongs to everyone. It follows that Google, HTC, Motorola and any other corporation can add their components to the framework and distribute them under any preferred license.

I made many changes to the AOSP code and added code from many others. Making a droid better isn't it?

The problem we are facing is the distribution of Google’s proprietary software: Maps, GTalk, Market, YouTube. These components are not part of the free software, but part of the Google Experience devices. All of these programs are Google’s intellectual property, and I will respect that. I will no longer distribute these applications as part of the mod. But nothing bad happened. Nothing I do affects these applications. But we still need these applications, because we need the functionality of Mail, Chat, Market, etc. I would really like Google to allow all these goodies to be used free of charge, but this will not happen. And who can blame him?

There are many things we can do as end users and modders without breaking the law. Most importantly, we made a functioning backup of our software. Since I don’t work with these proprietary components directly, what I’m really trying to do is release a new version of the mod “bare bones”. In it you can make calls, send MMS, take pictures, etc. In order to return our favorite synchronization and other applications, you will have to make a backup first. I am working on an application doing this for you.

The main idea is that you can Google-fix your CyanogenMod firmware with applications that were already originally on your device. However, you can use the basic firmware to your liking. It will work flawlessly if you do not use software from Google. I’ll include an alternative app store in the base version (SlideMe or AndAppStore, I haven’t decided yet), so you can get your applications if you don’t have a “Google Experience” device.

The next versions of the mod will appear as soon as I clean it from problem applications.

Thank you all for your support.

www.cyanogenmod.com/home/the-current-state

* Google Experience device - these phones have a software package from Google, also have access to the Android Market. These phones have a Google logo on the back. (comment translator)