The CyanogenMod 13 version is running on an Android phone (Photo : YouTube / Heet Nandu)
Cyanogen OS 13.1 now has a new update that will sport the new MODs feature for the OnePlus One, YU and ZUK devices which are supported by the custom Android ROM.
Custom ROMS for Android smartphones are plenty but they still depend on how large the developing community is for each particular model. Cyanogen OS is one of the most popular ones because of its simplicity in the design but it has a plethora of features.
The Cyanogen OS 13.1 is based on the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow version that is currently the newest available before the upcoming Android 7.0 N. Developers have been pushing to improve the versions with more bug fixes and feature inclusions.
MODs are simply third-party app features that can be baked onto the Cyanogen OS 13.1 itself without the need for manual installation, GSMArena has learned. Of course, the baking would still depend on the features' ideal location within the custom ROM.
One example given was Twitter being integrated into the lockscreen of the Android smartphone. When the user swipes to the Twitter icon while on the locksreen, the app could be launched instantly without having to go through the app drawer to find the app itself.
The Cyanogen OS 13.1 update for the OnePlus One even contains Cortana which can allow users to take hands-free selfies through voice commands, Engadget reported. More features can be inserted in the phones that support the custom ROM as long as there would be developers willing to put their hours into the work.
Cyanogen's MOD feature is just one of the many advantages of using the custom ROM for Android smartphones. However, most versions for different smartphones are still not complete or are still full of bugs.
Developers would be needed to maintain the versions and keep track of all the potential problems and bugs that other users may encounter. It can be a hard job and they are often done for free which can be a problem for some developers.
Cyanogen OS 13.1 is currently available for the OnePlus One at the moment. More smartphones may be supported in the following weeks and months for the MOD features that generated the hype.
