In matter of days, OnePlus One will finally receive Cyanogen Mod 12S. The ROM has already been certified by Google.
While the relationship between OnePlus and Cyanogen has been rocking lately, the latest version of Cyanogen Mod has long been expected to make it on to the OnePlus One.
The impending arrival of Cyanogen Mod 12S on OnePlus One handsets was recently confirmed by OnePlus Founder Carl Pei. In response to a Twitter question, Pei revealed on April 10 that Cyanogen Mod 12 had just past Google certification.
Receiving certification from Google enables Cyanogen to add the Google Play Store and other Google apps onto the ROM. It's likely the last major step to the ROM's arrival on OnePlus One.
OnePlus One was scheduled to receive Cyanogen Mod 12S on March 27. But while the ROM was delayed, OnePlus finalized its own forked version of Android, the OxygenOS.
"Developing OxygenOS has been an incredibly fun and challenging experience for all of us," said OnePlus when it announced the release of the OxygenOS. "In this environment where everyone is fighting to standout with custom ROMs, we think it's important to go back to basics."
The OxygenOS gives OnePlus One owners the taste of Android Lollipop promised by Cyanogen Mod 12S, though OnePlus' in-house ROM is a relatively vanilla version of the latest Android flavor.
For OnePlus, the creation of its own ROM was a vital step in its own future. The company hasn't been around for two years yet.
"By creating our own operating system, we can quickly respond to user feedback and make it easier for you to continue playing a fundamental role in the future of OnePlus," said OnePlus. "Our goal for OxygenOS is to provide faster, more meaningful updates and a better-integrated range of services for every OnePlus user."
Along with taking charge over the updates its customers receive, the OxygenOS gives OnePlus a bit of independence from Cyanogen. OnePlus and Cyanogen had a falling out last fall, when the handset manufacturer was left outside of a deal to bring Cyanogen Mod to India.
Cyanogen reached and exclusive deal with Micromax last year. The deal granted the India hardware manufacturer exclusive rights to use Cyanogen Mod in India, shutting out OnePlus and damping its plans to move into the region. Cyanogen was aware of OnePlus' plans, OnePlus stated.
"It is truly unfortunate that a commitment we both made to our Indian users will now not be upheld," OnePlus stated.
