Cyanogen Inc has published a post on its blog regarding the removal of the CyanogenMod Installer from the Google Play Store. The newly founded firm wrote that the Google Play Team had contacted it “to voluntarily remove the application, or they would be forced to remove it administratively”. In its subsequent communications with Google Play administrators, Cyanogen Inc. were told that the reason for the removal request is that the CyanogenMod application “encourages users to void their warranty”.
CyanogenMod’s history stems from it being a popular alternative Android ROM which smartphone users install on their devices. If a user replaces the stock ROM on their smartphone with the CyanogenMod ROM then a lot of customisation and configuration options are open to them. Also installing a new Android ROM like CyanogenMod might be the only way that your aging Android device will ever get an Android OS update, if you have been left abandoned by your smartphone manufacturer. Remember that Android updates aren’t just for new interface bells and whistles, important security updates are also part of the package.
Talking about its now withdrawn Play Store app Cyanogen Inc reminded us that it does little to cause concern for Google;
“To those unfamiliar with the application, it has a single function – to guide users to enable “ADB”, a built in development and debugging tool, and then navigates the user to the desktop installer. The desktop application then performs the installation of the CyanogenMod on their Android device.
After reaching out to the Play team, their feedback was that though application itself is harmless, since it ‘encourages users to void their warranty’, it would not be allowed to remain in the store.”
Cyanogen Inc notes that during its stint on the Play Store the app had been installed “hundreds of thousands” of times. This, the firm said, is evidence that there’s both a demand and a need for an alternative Android experience. For now users will have to use Android’s ‘sideloading’ functionality (installing via ‘unknown sources’) to install the CyanogenMod Installer app.
As a resolution is sought with Google, Cyanogen Inc says that it has submitted the app to the Amazon and Samsung app-stores in the meantime.
Pointing to a possible solution to the Play Store problem The Next Web reports that Google would reconsider the app’s inclusion in the Play Store if there was an easy way to reverse the changes made by the app, or an uninstaller. Until that time “it’s staying outside of Google Play,” says TNW.
