It will be released for around 80 devices in the next few days

Jul 8, 2014 17:45 GMT  ·  By

An updated version of the CyanogenMod custom platform is now available for download for the owners of Android-based devices out there, namely CM-11.0 M8.

The new software iteration is based on the Android 4.4.4 KitKat operating system version, and has been put up for grabs for over a dozen devices, with around 80 of them expected to receive custom ROMs in the coming days.

Initially, however, the new CM 11.0 M8 release can be installed only on handsets such as OnePlus One, Galaxy S Relay 4G, Samsung Galaxy S III, Xperia Z1 Compact, Oppo Find 7a, Acer Iconia Tab A700, and the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet, as this thread on reddit reveals.

Moreover, it seems that the new builds will also be available for the first time on a series of new devices out there, including the Sony Xperia Z2 (sirius), Xiaomi Mi2 (aries), Oppo Find 7a/s (find7), and OnePlus One (bacon).

The update comes with a nice range of changes in addition to providing users with a taste of the enhancements that the Android 4.4.4 KitKat was released with (in fact, some of these were already included in the previous CyanogenMod builds).

As Android Central notes, the new CyanogenMod 11.0 M8 has been released with a fix for VPN issues related to 4.4.3 merge, as well as with a variety of other bug fixes, some general and others related to specific devices.

Following the update to the new build, users will also see that a 'Heads Up' notification mode (Settings > Notifications) can be enabled, and that 'Expanded Desktop' has been moved to the 'Display' settings menu.

The Settings section has seen some other changes as well, with 'Interface' replaced by 'Status Bar,' 'Notification Drawer,' and 'Gestures,' and with 'Navigation Bar' layout control moved to 'Buttons.'

Moreover, it appears that all lock screen-related items have been moved to 'Lock Screen,' and that duplicates in 'Security' have been removed in the new release.

CyanogenMod 11.0 M8 comes with Trebuchet tweaks as well, including custom Homescreen grid size, a new Protected Apps feature, and a new Search Panel (Google Now) option added to it.

WhisperPush will no longer ignore 'Blacklist' in the new platform release, and there is also a protection against Towelroot in Futex.

Those who would like to download the new CyanogenMod 11.0 M8 should head over to the official CM download website. Users who have already installed CM 11 on their devices will be able to automatically update them.