One of the most popular custom ROM’s for Android is now a full-fledged company, Cyanogen Inc. Led by Boost Mobile’s co-founder Kirt McMaster, it sets out to build a whole new experience for mobile users. Koushik Dutta and Steve Kondik who were significant contributors to the project, are now the VP of Engineering and CTO, respectively. The company has received a $7M capitol from investors at Benchmark and Redpoint. Find more on the investment here.
CyanogenMod or CM has been the most stable and comprehensive custom ROM for Android phones ever since it’s release. Based on the Google’s Android mobile ecosystem, the ROM greatly improves speed, security and customization on Android phone. But now, Cyanogen Inc. aspires to be the largest mobile operating system in the world.
The company has been covertly operating ever since April- and now we know why. CyanogenMod accouts, a new personalization feature which allows you to log in and stay connected with CM indicates the company’s dedication to make this work. Once users log in, they will have access to features such as Device Finder, a not so typical find-my-phone application.
But the company’s most significant move, is to release an installer on the Android PlayStore, which has the sole purpose of making it easier for you to load your device with CyanogenMod. The company ultimately wants it’s users to have the most pure Android experience, no annoying bloatware, no insecure data, and most importantly, no laggy device with an age-old build of Android.
Currently monetization does not seem to be an important concern, and the company will not charge users to install their custom OS. There is also a tie up with an unnamed hardware company in the works. It looks like Cyanogen has a lot of business models in mind. You can “ask (almost) anything” to Steve Kondik and Koushik Dutta on this Reddit link here.
Cyanogen Inc. rests on a very interesting precipice. On one hand you have closed source mobile platforms such as iOS and Windows, and on the other you have the most influential open source platform, Android. Now Cyanogen would offer you incredible flexibility but at the same time, would offer you a leaner, more secure experience. Interesting things are about to happen with this company.
Check out how this company came to be here. So what do you think of the next big thing in open source?