Cyanogen vs Android

If you're an Android user, you might have heard of Cyanogen. The Cyanogen company recently raised $80 million in funding from Twitter Ventures, Qualcomm and Rupert Murdoch, as it gears up for bigger things to come.

Why are people so excited about this OS? Here's everything you need to know.

1)Themes

The Themes panel allows you to install and choose theme packs, styles, icons, fonts, sound packs, and even boot animations to customize your device. Most of these options are unavailable on typical Android devices. Do you dislike the Holo theme Android uses throughout its interface, or are you just looking for something new? You can change your Android’s system-wide colors and look by installing a CyanogenMod theme pack.

The Cyanogen Theme Showcase allows you to easily browse and download themes.

2) No Bloatware

Cyanogen is a more simple and clean OS that only comes with the necessary apps. There is no bloatware that comes pre-installed with the OS. Even some Google apps do not come pre-installed with the OS, however it is extremely easy to download them from Play Store. This means that you have the complete freedom to install only those apps which you need!

3) AudioFX Equalizer

The AudioFX app provides system-wide equalizer controls you can use to adjust the sound coming from your device, enabling bass boost, activating an equalizer, and selecting presets that match the music you listen to.

4) Root Functionality

Cyanogen does not only provide you with an easy way to root your smartphones, it also gives you an easy way to turn off root access via the settings screen. For some power users it's necessary to become root on their devices, but for many normal users it might be better to turn this feature off and to increase security.

5) Privacy Guard

Privacy Guard lets you control which permissions installed apps can use, and which permissions new apps will get by default. This gives you an iOS-style permission experience on Android, so you can decide whether that app should be allowed to access your location, contacts, and other private data while still using the app.