Android 4.4 KitKat Update: CyanogenMod 11 M11 Snapshot Now Available

Software customization team CyanogenMod continues to develop its Android 4.4 KitKat-based CyanogenMod 11 ROM with the M11 version of its software, which is now available for download. The latest version does not have many major updates, but rather includes several minor bug fixes and software fine-tuning. Pundits expect that the CyanogenMod team is preparing for the launch of Google Inc.’s Android L operating system, which will likely to keep them busy for some time.

But the M11 version of CyanogenMod 11 introduces support to several new devices, including many foreign handsets, such as the Korean mode of the Samsung Galaxy S4, the Galaxy S4 Active, the Galaxy S5 GSM model, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy Player 4.0. The new software is currently available for approximately 50 devices.

The CM 11 M11 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 S4 Active (jactivelte), Galaxy S4 SK I-9506 (ks01lte), Galaxy S5 GSM (klte), Galaxy Tab 10.1 (picassowifi), Galaxy Player 4.0 (ypg1)
Re-introduce Samsung Galaxy Relay 4G (apexqtmo) support
Fix signal strength showing ’2147483647′ on certain devices
Frameworks & Core Apps: CAF and other upstream updates
Lockscreen: Do not play sounds while a phone call is active & MSIM updates
Frameworks: Add base & MSIM APIs for SEEK (Secure Element Evaluation Kit) support
Frameworks: Fix volume button changing two ‘steps’ per click
Frameworks: Add ‘Screen Off’ action for double-tap/long-press configuration options
Show devices connected to your WiFi (tethering) Hotspot
Fix bug related to ‘switch to last app’ action while in Recents view
Fix Navigation Bar arrow keys in RTL locales
Translations updates from CyanogenMod CrowdIn team
Adjustments to ‘Glove Mode’ (High Touch Sensitivity)
APN Updates for various regions
Camera: Add support for all available Slow Shutter speeds (hardware dependent); Improve shutter button
Dialer/InCallUI: Fix smartcover always showing answer fragment
LG G2: Address GPS and NFC issues
Base support for HTC Desire 816 & HTC One Mini 2 (pending nightlies)
Various security updates

General bug fixes 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.