Why Mod? - CyanogenMod Roms

1 Should I modify (“mod”) my device?
2 Why use CyanogenMod?

Should I modify (“mod”) my device?

When making the decision on whether or not to modify the software on your device, several factors come into play. Your Android device is pretty much a full computer (and if it’s a phone it has additional mobile functions), so it may help to think of it in the same way as you would consider modifying your laptop or desktop computer from its stock installation.

Pros

Common reasons to modify your device’s operating system include:

Remove unwanted programs (“bloatware”) installed by your carrier

Receive more frequent security updates

Have access to the current version of Android – most carriers take months to update devices on their network to the latest version of Android, if ever. Taking control of your OS allows you to update regularly, when you feel like it’s time.

Better performance

Extra features

Cons

Common concerns include the following:

Some device manufacturers or mobile providers may offer a limited or voided warranty after modifying

It is possible that by installing a rooted operating system, you introduce new security risks. For instance, you need to be smart about the permissions you grant applications.

Non-stock firmware could contain malicious code – which is a good argument for making sure you download custom ROMs from trusted sources, or even better, learn to build it yourself!

Stability issues may arise when using an experimental operating system. However, for many people, CyanogenMod has proven to be more stable than many official ROMs.

Other Discussions/Articles

To read more about the pros and cons of rooting and installing custom roms, check out this article from Android Authority. For a good overview of CyanogenMod specifically, check out this article from Addictive Tips.

Why use CyanogenMod?

What’s a list of ‘why’ without some compelling reasons to entice you?

The core ideas are the same throughout our releases:

Secure

Light footprint

Bloat-free

Customizable

Open

This translates into an abundance of features that let you truly own your phone.

Feature List
CM Updater: Never miss an update! Our updater not only lets you have the latest releases, but you can update on your own schedule.
Privacy Guard: Control what your applications can learn about you and your contacts. Protect yourself with a simple click, or long press an app to delve deep.
Global Blacklist: Baked right into the OS is the ability to flag telemarketers, robo-callers, annoying people (yes even the in-laws) and blacklist them. Never receive another call or message from them (or maybe just ignore them for a little bit).
Quick Setting Ribbon: Embed quick toggles (and even your camera) right in your notification drawer, just one swipe away.
Quick Settings Config: Whether using the ribbon view or the larger grid view, customize the layout and order of your quick settings.
Theme: With the integrated theme engine, you can change the look and feel of the entire OS. Sports fan? Why not get a sports theme for your favorite team. Or maybe you just need a lighter overall look. Or red, green, or yellow. Endless possibilities!
Trebuchet: Not only does our custom launcher ‘Trebuchet’ allow for customizing the layout of the homescreen, it’s backed by a comprehensive, built from the ground-up theme engine. With custom theme packs, you can take your customization to a whole new level, altering window styles, icons, fonts, wallpaper, the lock screen, boot animations, and sounds!
Status Bar Behavior: Customize your status bar and unlock some additional behavior. Tap the time to quickly set an alarm or tap the date to access your calendar. Show or hide as much as you’d like.
CM Account: We built a secure, encrypted and optional account service right in. Get remote find and wipe capabilities (for free) so even if you lose your device, you still have some control.
CM File Manager: Organize, edit, and manage your files with this simple, yet powerful file manager.
Display and Lights: Control brightness, rotation, wallpapers, remote displays, notification lights, and battery lights. You decide what suits your tastes.
Profiles: Our lives are always subject to context – what’s appropriate at home may not be at work. So why aren’t our devices? With profiles you can control application, sounds and even connectivity to quickly adapt to the environment in which you are using your phone. Go one step further and set up a profile to be location aware, or use NFC to trigger a profile change.
Button Configuration: Enable additional functionality from your hardware keys, or even remap them altogether. Your choice.
Navbar: Why stop at hardware buttons? Customize the software navigation bar to your liking as well.
Lockscreen: Add quick unlock targets to access your favorite apps directly from the lockscreen. Use our custom lockscreen widget to increase your productivity. Show the weather and your calendar events without unlocking the device. Optionally display battery status or even your name and ICE information.
DSP Manager: For you audiophiles, unlock the potential of your headphones by tuning your music with our built in equalizer.
Tethering: Share your device’s data connection with your PC, tablets, friends and families with built in tethering over USB, WiFi and Bluetooth.
Developer Tools: We add a bit more for developers as well. Customize your device hostname; go wireless and use ADB over your network.
Root Access: Useful to developers and users alike, control your exposure to root applications and debugging tools.
Superuser: Manage root access to only the applications you trust, check access logs, and revoke their access when you are done.
Performance Options: Push it up to eleven and access power tools to overclock, manage device governors and more. Recommended for advanced users only.
Advanced Device controls: These options vary by device, but allow for even more control over the hardware on your phones.
SMS Rate limit: There are some bad apps out there. Enable rate limiting to get a notice if an app starts spamming bogus SMS message services to generate advertising revenue for a malicious developer. Or maybe you just have a teenager and this is perfectly normal.