CyanogenMod has relied on their vast developer audience and Android ROM users to keep business going, but as the startup grows so does the need for easier access to CyanogenMod, instead of installing it on a smartphone through a complex system, the team needs to pre-install the software onto smartphones.
The Oppo N1 is the first smartphone to do this, adding CyanogenMod as a limited edition choice. The vanilla model will run Color OS, Oppo’s home brand skin for Android – but a new version has just passed the Android Compatibility Test Suite and will launch on December 24.
This is the first time CyanogenMod has passed Google’s tests, which are designed to ensure security on the device and compatibility with Android apps. Google does not accept a lot of ROM requests, simply due to changes in the structure of Android that may make apps uncotpatible with the Play store.
Oppo announced the news on Twitter and CyanogenMod gave all their mailing list a message. CyanogenMod’s community lead Abhisek Devkota described this as “a major milestone for everyone in this project,” and said Google did not ask for any changes to features or functionality.
The CyanogenMod special edition will come with cases and stickers, but on the external and internal side the Oppo N1 will not be changed. The only difference will be the change on the software, with Color OS stepping down for CyanogenMod.
We are not sure how much the CyanogenMod edition will be on launch date – our feeling is Oppo N1 will cost the same amount with or without the special ROM installed. The original Oppo N1 currently costs $599 in the US and €449 in Europe.
This will be a limited edition smartphone and CyanogenMod will be looking for more deals like this – we are not sure if they will be able to grab any large manufacturers in the next few months, but Oppo is a good start.