Cyanogen Announces New Modular Operating System
Cyanogen wants to move from developing a full operating system to offering a set of modules that manufacturers can add to their Android smartphones themselves, regardless of the version or shell of Android they use.
Cyanogen writes about this in a blog post. The idea is to offer the various components unique to Cyanogen OS as separate modules that manufacturers and developers can integrate into their operating systems themselves. The modules are prepared in such a way that they can be integrated into any variant of Android, whether it is one with major customizations and a completely different shell or stock Android. That way, Cyanogen no longer has to persuade a manufacturer to adopt the entire Cyanogen OS stack. In this, the program differs from the MOD platform, which was unveiled in February. That can also be adjusted to the wishes of the manufacturer, but they still have to use Cyanogen OS.
The company does not say anything about the possible discontinuation of the development of Cyanogen OS. Also, this doesn’t seem to affect CyanogenMod, which is being developed by a community of other developers.
In addition, Cyanogen offers developers the opportunity to leverage the company’s cloud services, which are said to be powered by AI. This AI looks at usage patterns across the OS and could introduce “more effective and smarter ways to interact with the smartphone.” Cyanogen will not disclose more information about this.
Finally, there is a shift in company leadership. Lior Tal, formerly chief operating officer, will now become CEO. Kirt McMaster, co-founder and now former CEO, will head the board. Finally, Steve Kondik, the other co-founder, moves from CTO to chief science officer.
The switch to another strategy does not come like a bolt from the blue. Not only does this build on the initiative of the MOD platform, but in July of this year it appeared that a round of layoffs had to be implemented so that the company could keep its head above water. Cyanogen OS has shipped on nearly twenty different smartphones according to the company, but that may not be enough.