CyanogenMod 6.1 RC1 brings 'insane performance boosts'

The CyanogenMod Project has issued a first release candidate (RC1) for version 6.1 of its modified Android firmware. The CyanogenMod project offers free, community-built custom ROMs that don't include Google's custom closed source applications, such as GMail, Google Maps and YouTube, for a variety of Android phones. The custom ROMs are popular as they are often more up-to-date than the official model-specific Android releases and typically will extend a phones capabilities.

According to Android programmer Steve Kondik, the CyanogenMod 6.1 release candidate features "insane performance boosts on all platforms" and a Galaxy S style power notification bar from Pedlar. Based on the latest Android 2.2.1 "Froyo" update, the development preview also includes FM radio support, continuous autofocus in the camera app and camcorder touch-to-focus. Other changes include Quick PIN unlock, AGPS fixes and new email features.

More details about the release candidate can be found in the official release announcement and in the change log. Download links for the HTC Dream, HTC Magic and Google Nexus one can be found in the release announcement.

The H reminds users that, as with all custom firmware, inexperienced users are not advised to flash their devices as they could unintentionally brick them and cause them to stop functioning entirely. The latest stable version is CyanogenMod 6.0, based on Android 2.2, from late August of this year.

See also:

• Google completes Android 3.0?, a report from The H.
• Google reports >30% of Android devices now running 2.2, a report from The H.
• CyanogenMod: Android without Google Apps, a report from The H.

(crve)