14 DAY TRIAL // Over the weekend, the guys over at CyanogenMod made available for download a new flavor of their custom Android-based software, in the form of CyanogenMod 11.0 M6.
Based on the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system, the new CyanogenMod 11.0 release is considered to be the closest thing to a stable build that owners of Android-based devices will receive.
According to the CyanogenMod team, there will be no build labeled “stable” released in the future, and users should go for releases in the M-branch when looking for ROMs that are stable.
No RC builds will become available for download either, though this approach is actually expected to provide end users with a variety of benefits.
Fixes and enhancements are expected to arrive on devices every four weeks, given that new M builds are planned to be released periodically, and the team behind the platform claims that this is a better approach than the release of a stable build.
In fact, the team is planning on speeding up the release cycle, and new M builds might soon start arriving on devices every two weeks.
Moving to such a fast release cycle means that fixes can be included in the platform faster than before, though it remains to be seen whether contributors will be able to keep up, and if enough issues will be discovered in due time to sustain the new approach.
“At a 2 week cycle new devices or those that miss a release due to being withheld can enter the release cycle again at the next build (assuming issues are resolved). And of course, with this being CM, you can choose to take or ignore an update as you’d like,” a post on the CyanogenMod Blog reads.
Until more on this is provided, however, users can grab the newly announced CyanogenMod 11.0 M6, which packs a nice range of enhancements and fixes inside.
An issue with long press QS tile option in Quiet Hours was resolved, along with custom wallpaper crashes and album art issues on lock screen, and a problem with QS tiles layout in landscape mode in Quick Settings.
The new ROM also comes with Voice+ integrated into settings (under Wireless and Networks > ‘More’), provider permissions added to Blacklist, and consolidated screen-off animation options (remove checkbox) for the display.
An issue with connecting via Bluetooth to select car makes/models has been resolved, and there are also options to show smaller tiles and add BT device name to tile in Quick Settings.
‘Eject card’ action for USB storage will be showed in Settings now, as well as pause/resume support when it comes to downloads. Additional support patches (15+) and UI/UX modifications for MultiSim are available as well.
CM11.0 M6 was also meant to resolve memory leaks in Frameworks, address a security vulnerability for icons, fix usage stats after boot, and decrease shutdown time in Parallel Shutdown. Other enhancements were also included in the new release.
Those of you interested in grabbing a CyanogenMod 11.0 M6 build and installing it on your handset or tablet (provided that it is supported) should head over to the CyanogenMod download website for that.