Cyanogen, famed aftermarket Android software creators which turned into a “for real” software company, is looking to make Android… err, well, a little-less Google-centric and more open. With that goal in mind, it has been rumored that Cyanogen has approached Microsoft and Amazon, among others, in looking for substantial funding for this enterprise.


Google is the core developer of Android – it releases the stock version of the operating system under an open source license. There is, however, a caveat – if you want to use Google’s apps and services with your Android OS – which include YouTube, Gmail, Chrome or the Google Play store – one has to install all of them in bulk, which to us ordinary people is called “Google Apps” or just “G Apps” to the coding community.

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Cyanogen wants to remove Google at the center of Android – a really “open” open source OS, where companies could bundle their own services with. CyanogenMod, the company’s aftermarket Android version, is still very much reliant on Google services. The idea will be much like what Amazon did with its Fire Phone and Kindle Fire line of tablets.

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The problem is, it seems only Microsoft at this point has the cojones to go against Google. Amazon, according to insider sources, is non-committal at this point. Other companies are wary of a reprisal from Google, who controls other interests other than just Android. We’ll see if this Cyanogen effort takes flight, as insiders say Microsoft has put out around USD$70 million for Cyanogen’s war chest. What do you guys think?

VIA: Re/code

5 COMMENTS

  1. Very noble……..
    Or self serving.
    Personally I have no interest in an Android device with no Google apps.
    A Cyanogen app store? No ta.

  2. I don’t think most people who’ve come to Cyanogen the last year or so can relate to the experience a few years ago before adding Google Services to the OS was made so easy. I remember having to hunt for a gapps to flash when it was just as likely that you flashed the wrong version and got apps that crash-looped immediately.

    Some of the public statements they’ve made recently are almost like they are trolling Google now, which I think is not smart. If Google retaliates things can get very interesting for them. Bottom line is, I can’t see the need for another non-Google Services Android. We already have Amazon’s and I doubt Cyanogen will ever match those numbers with a vanilla OS with no built-in app store. And what idiot is going to leave all their apps and music behind to join a new ecosystem that may or may not last?

  3. What do I think? I think I have very little interest in any version of Android that doesn’t have or can never have native versions of Google Play Store, Google Now, Google Search, YouTube, etc.

    It’s a shame. I remember when Cyanogen was cool.

  4. I really don’t think it’s a good idea……. However, if they can get all of the developer’s who list on the Google Play to list the same apps in their store (Looking at you Amazon), then only thing missing would be Google’s stuff. The Google stuff isn’t a must have for me. I like the synchronization of my contacts, NOW, backups, maps. But everything else I can do without since I don’t use so much.There are plenty of apps out there that do the same things, maybe not as well, but I would survive.

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