Cyanogen, Inc. has started rolling out the Cyanogen OS 13.1 update to the OnePlus One. The highlight of this Cyanogen OS update is a new feature called MODs, which the company announced during February 2016.
MODs, shortened version of ‘modification’, is a developer platform that reuse and integrate existing services and apps, without having to root the device or drastically change either Android or the app. From a user’s perspective, this simply means that the third party features baked into the OS, allowing easy access.
To say, The Twitter MOD in Cyanogen OS 13.1 brings trending tweets and news to the lock screen, without unlocking the device. With the updated Cortana MOD, the voice-based virtual assistant by Microsoft, user can tell Cortana to click a selfie, giving the user a voice-controlled option for capturing his/her picture.
Besides clicking selfies, users can now wake up the device, swipe left, and interact with the voice-based virtual assistant. Previously, this was available only in the US. The Skype MOD, on the other hand, enables the user to begin a Skype conversation directly from the Cyanogen phone app. The user can shift from cellular voice call to a Skype video call when calling a friend using Cyanogen or Android device. Moreover, the Skype contacts can be searched and called from the contact card.
The OneNote MOD assists to take notes while in a call or writing an email. In fact, Lock Screen MODs need to be enabled separately from Settings > Lock Screen > Lock Screen Mods on the smartphone.
The update has clearly given importance to Microsoft's apps and services. Cyanogen OS 13.1 update comes at 396.3MB and bears build number 13.1-ZNH2KAS1KN. It's based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Although the update is rolling out slowly, many OnePlus One devices in India have reported to have received Cyanogen OS 13.1 update.
