Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast CyanogenMod and the Death of the Android ROM
Nov 15, 2023
Explore the fascinating rise and fall of CyanogenMod, a game-changer in the Android ROM community. Delve into how early enthusiasts at XDA revolutionized smartphone customization. Uncover the journey from Android's inception with camera origins to a versatile platform. The hosts share personal stories about their experiences with modding, and reflect on the emotional farewell to CyanogenMod. Enjoy a mix of nostalgia, trivia, and insights into the changing landscape of open-source Android development.
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XDA Developers' Origins
- XDA Developers began as a forum for modifying O2 XDA phones, early PDAs running Windows Mobile.
- It quickly grew to 100,000 members in three years, demonstrating a strong desire for device modification.
Rich Miner's Vision for OS Diversity
- Rich Miner, at Orange Ventures, sought device OS diversity to avoid a repeat of PC consolidation.
- He invested in innovative mobile OS projects like SavaJE and Danger (creators of the T-Mobile Sidekick).
Android's Conception
- Rich Miner invested in Danger, whose co-founder, Andy Rubin, later created Android.
- Rubin initially envisioned Android as a camera OS, but Miner convinced him to focus on phones.