CyanogenOS

CyanogenOS was a proprietary, cloud-first operating system for smartphones and tablets, based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It was developed by Cyanogen Inc., a company founded by Steve Kondik and Koushik Dutta. The goal was to provide a more customizable and feature-rich Android experience compared to stock Android versions found on many devices. CyanogenOS aimed to offer users greater control over their devices, including enhanced privacy features and deeper system-level customization options.

The operating system was known for its unique features and its ability to be installed on a wide range of hardware, often through custom ROM installations. CyanogenOS included a suite of pre-installed apps and services, often with different features than those found in standard Android. The company also partnered with hardware manufacturers to pre-install CyanogenOS on select devices, offering an alternative to major manufacturers' custom Android skins. This approach allowed for a more streamlined and optimized experience on specific hardware.

Despite its initial promise and popularity among Android enthusiasts, Cyanogen Inc. eventually shifted its focus away from CyanogenOS. The company underwent restructuring and eventually announced the discontinuation of its consumer-facing Cyanogen OS and CyanogenMod projects. While the CyanogenOS project itself is no longer actively developed or supported by the original company, its legacy lives on through the open-source CyanogenMod (now LineageOS) project, which continues to offer a highly customizable Android experience for a multitude of devices.