Rejoice, custom ROM users, because the grandaddy of ’em all has just updated. CyanogenMod, easily one of the most-used custom Android ROMs around, has released its latest version with support for new devices and a shopping list of feature updates. Even more exciting, those of you who picked up an HP Touchpad during the $99 fire sale (and I suppose those poor souls who paid the full retail price) might soon be able to enjoy a taste of Gingerbread on your cheap tablets.

CyanogenMod 7.1 is based on the latest version of Gingerbread and now officially supports almost 70 devices. Notable newcomers since the 7.0 release include the Samsung Galaxy S and S II, the HTC Desire S and Incredible S, the “T-Mobile” LG G2x,  Motorola Cliq, and the the full line of Sony’s XPERIA phones. The last item is due in no small part to help from the FreeXperia team and Sony Ericsson themselves, who’ve teamed up in a Triforce of open-source power. New goodies for the 7.1 release include enhanced Bluetooth support for mice and tethering, app launching gestures, new lockscreen widgets, a rewritten LED notification system, and a new screenshot function, as well as a few device-specific modifications.

If your phone or tablet isn’t on the list, don’t worry, the CyanogenMod team is adding devices all the time. The HTC Sensation, Vision, LG Optimus 3D and yes, the HP Touchpad are all in beta right now, and should be added to the gold releases starting “in a few weeks”. Cyanogen and his team are famously tight-lipped when it comes to releases or deadlines, but this is the first we’ve heard that the abandoned tablet will be added to the official list of supported devices, a la the Nook Color. Gold versions for CyanogenMod 7.1 are available right now – check the download page to get yours.

16 COMMENTS

  3. With market flooded with tablets, its becoming difficult for users to
    decide amongst the choices. To make it simple let me list a few criteria
    for you:

    1) COST – If you can afford and iPad or galaxy, you don’t really have to
    look for anything else :). Else its a huge market where there are tabs
    ranging from $50 to more than $1000. If you remember reading / hearing
    the news that cheapest tab of $35 was launched in India last week. Neat
    huh!!

    2) CONNECTIVITY – Going for a $130 tablet of a less heard manufacturer?
    Check the connectivity? Is it only Wi-Fi or is it Wi-Fi & 3G both or
    is it Wi-Fi, 3G, Edge, GPRS? Most probably only wi-fi and no option of
    connecting to the PC or other devices with bluetooth.

    3) PROCESSOR – In today’s date anything less than 1GHz is not worth
    considering. Your applications will respond slow and you will feel sick
    using this…specially while working on multiple applications.

    4) DISPLAY – I look for bright and sharp displays. I prefer HD that
    provides high resolution. If its not good, its not worth it as later
    some point in time i will regret my decision of compromising on display.

    5) SIZE – 10″ is good to use but difficult to carry along. At the same
    time 7″ though is as good as 10″ in use and more convenient to carry.
    Its becomes must to carry if it is doubling as a tablet + phone.

    6) WARRANTY – Are you getting international warranty / free look up period along with the tablet.

    7) STORAGE – I would say that 16GB + is just fine and i would prefer to
    have an option of expandable memory. That means that equipment should
    have a slot for memory card.

    8) ACCESSORIES – Are you getting any accessories along with your tablet? Least that we can expect is a carry case.

    9) DUAL CAMERA – Front camera will mostly range from VGA to 1.2 MP and
    Rear camera will range from 2 to 5 MP.  This is kind of taken for
    granted on all the tablets.

    10) OS – Check the version of OS on the Tablet. Do not go for outdated
    versions as applications (apps) will stop supporting older OS in matter
    of a year. If we talk about Android – Honeycomb is the current version
    which is available on recently launched Android Tablets. If we talk
    about ipad from apple, it works on iOS5. There are tablets which work on
    windows as well – i recently tested ACER ICONIA with Windows.

    11) HOW TO CHECK IF TAB THAT I AM ABOUT TO BUY IS GOOD? – Simple – Your
    best source is web. I prefer to check CNET & guardian for ratings
    & comparisons of Gizmos.

    12) NAME OF FEW GOOD TABS – SAMSUNG GALAXY, APPLE’s IPAD, ACER ICONIA,
    HTC FLYER, BLACKBERRY PLAYBOOK, MOTOROLA XOOM, VIEWSONIC VIEWPAD, DELL
    STREAK, LG GSLATE etc etc etc. Did i forget AMAZON KINDLE FIRE? Keep
    this also in mind.

    13) WHERE CAN I BUY TAB – There are various stores and websites which
    sells tablets. I prefer Amazon – Link for Tablets store is as follows:
    http://astore.amazon.com/rh0a0-20

    Hope this will help you in determining what you should be gifting your
    near and dear ones in this festive season. Won’t tablet make a wonderful
    gift? It will, and you will enjoy watching your loved ones when they
    will unwrap the gift box and will scream with joy upon finding the
    tablet which they always wanted to buy.

    Thanks!!

    Swadhin Gandhi

  8. “…coming in a few weeks…”
    I am getting soooo fed up having to keep coming back to see if it is released yet 🙁
    Come on, I want to be able to use my Touchpad to view Hotmail and save some Favourites …WebOS is awful and I haven’t been able to use the device since I got it (my only requirements were really only to use it to web browse {view hotmail!} and view media).
    BTW really disappointed that I can’t use the USB port to display on my TV …really poor design.
    Please release Android ASAP some I can get some use out of this thing!!!!!!!!

    • I ported cyanogenmod7.1last week on my HP touchpad and it works great there are some issues but I’m impressed with it. Google it and it will give you step by step instructions.

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