Android 4.4 KitKat Update: CyanogenMod 11 M10 Software Drops Support For Galaxy Nexus

Software customization team CyanogenMod continues to develop its Android 4.4 KitKat-based CyanogenMod 11 ROM with its M10 version of its software, which became available Tuesday.

The latest CyanogenMod 11 update brings such features as a new bug tracker application that allows users to send bug reports to CyanogenMod anonymously, among many others. The Sprint Galaxy S5 is now receiving CyanogenMod 11 support as of this update. The CM 11 M10 snapshot is currently available for about 50 devices. But some devices will no longer be supported on CyanogenMod as of this update; these include the Verizon and Sprint models of the Galaxy Nexus and the Motorola DROID MAXX Developer Edition.

Notably, these devices are losing support on CyanogenMod as the Android L release approaches. The Galaxy Nexus in particular was made and maintained by Google, but the tech giant ceased support when it first released Android 4.4 KitKat, stating that the device included outdated hardware. While many software customization teams have attempted to continue support for the Galaxy Nexus, CyanogenMod has run into the same issue as Google, making it harder, but not impossible to continue development of its software.

For now, the Galaxy Nexus model for GSM model networks will continue to be supported on CyanogenMod because a developer has accepted the challenge of maintaining its updates. But there is still no one willing to maintain updates for the Galaxy Nexus model on CDMA networks, which is why the Sprint and Verizon versions will no longer receive CyanogenMod updates.

The CM 11 M10 snapshot is based on Android 4.4.4 KitKat, the latest software by Google Inc. which became available in mid-June. The CyanogenMod team has been working with CyanogenMod 11 since December 2013. It releases “M” or “monthly” build versions every month to address vital bug fixes in addition to introducing new features. CyanogenMod has released ten monthly builds so far and they're considered more stable than “nightly” build versions that come out more frequently with the latest features but with little attention to bugs or other issues.

CyanogenMod details a number of new and improved features found on this iteration of CM 11, in its change log, listed below:

New Devices: Galaxy S5 Sprint (kltespr)
Split out Note 3 into GSM (hlte), Sprint (hltespr) and Verizon (hltevzw)
Refactor moto_msm8960dt as ‘ghost’ for Moto X 2013
Drop support for obake, toro, toroplus
Theme Engine: Themes support for additional UI elements
Frameworks & Core Apps: CAF and other upstream updates
Settings: Add scramble pin feature
Frameworks: Long press recent apps to switch to last used app
Settings: Add soft reboot option
Add smart cover support
Add glove mode support
Add bug reporter and crash log uploader
Multisim updates
General bug fixes (many many)
ANT+ Support for various hardware
Privacy Guard: Control NFC permissions

As always, users should proceed with caution when installing custom firmware on their devices, keeping in mind their warranties may be voided. Backing up your device is recommended. CyanogenMod installation requires root access and custom recovery software.

You can download CyanogenMod 11 here.

The Gapps Zip file for Google Play Store and Google Services can be downloaded here.