Cyanogen is apparently aiming for a headshot on Google by developing an Android version that isn’t related to the Internet giant in any way. The funding that has been received by the six-year-old startup by some of the big names in the industry will help it accelerate the development of next-generation Android operating system without any involvement from the Google.
The Android version, which we are talking about, will feature all the facilities, however, will not have the name Google or anything related to it out-of-the-box. Cyanogen is planning to make it completely open for everybody to experience new possibilities and features, which were previously restricted to the stock Android versions from Google. It will open doors for the new and exciting applications to come pre-installed on the Android platform.
Cyanogen has received nearly $80 million of funding from Twitter and other companies to accelerate the progress. Google says that the Android is completely open source, however, keeps the source code away from the smartphone manufacturers. All they can do is add a little skin or few of their apps to provide an experience to the user, however, on the other side of the coin, Cyanogen provides the complete source code for them to add features, and additional functionalities for a rich Android experience.
However, Cyanogen too far to give Google a tough competition, as the user base of the Google services, and stock Android is very large compared to Cyanogen. Until now, Cyanogen was only popular among Android enthusiasts, but in a recent collaboration with OnePlus, a smartphone start-up, company started to strengthen its roots in the industry.
“We’re excited to have the backing of an amazingly diverse group of strategic investors who are supporting us in building a truly open Android,” Cyanogen CEO Kirt McMaster said in a statement.
Blu, a hardware company, is also helping Cyanogen complete its project by providing it a space on the upcoming smartphone that does not have any Google service pre-installed. Both the companies are currently in talks with each other.