Most Android users are aware of CyanogenMod which is a customized, aftermarket firmware distribution for several Android devices.  CyanogenMod is based on the Android Open Source Project and designed to increase performance, reliability over Android-based conventional ROMs released by vendors and carriers such as Google, T-Mobile, HTC, etc. It also offers a variety of features & enhancements that are not currently found  and supported by conventional ROMs.

The latest CyanogenMod 7.1 just released today (announced in a blog post) is based on Android 2.3.7 and it supports a whopping 68 Android devices. The full list of supported devices are available on its devices page. If your device is not listed on the supported device, then you need not worry as many Developers are working to port it to unsupported devices. These unofficial ports are available on websites like XDA Developer and you  can start searching there to find if there is already a unofficial port of CyanogenMod is available for your device.

Some of the Features that you get by using CyanogenMod

Lockscreen Gestures

Gestures is the ability to “draw” out anything you wish onto your lock screen which will then launch an application or phone activity that is associated with that drawing, similar to Google’s Gesture Search app.

Phone Goggles

Phone Goggles provides to the end user the ability to filter its outgoing communications and avoid any unwilling call or SMS to be sent.

OpenVPN

With OpenVPN, you can: tunnel any IP sub network or virtual ethernet adapter over a single UDP or TCP port, configure a scalable, load-balanced VPN.

Incognito Mode

For times when you want to browse in stealth mode, CyanogenMod offers the incognito browsing mode.

Themes Support

Theme manager lets you build a single apk that can theme the ENTIRE system.

DSP Equalizer

Gives enhanced sound processing capabilities. A simple application called DSPManager is provided to adjust the new audio parameters such as bass boost.

New devices since CyanogenMod 7.0 included in today’s release are:

  • HTC Desire S
  • HTC Incredible S
  • HTC Incredible 2
  • LG Optimus 2X and T-Mobile G2x
  • Motorola Backflip (Motus)
  • Motorola Cliq / Cliq XT
  • Motorola Defy
  • Motorola Droid 2
  • Motorola Droid X
  • Samsung Captivate
  • Samsung Fascinate
  • Samsung Mesmerize
  • Samsung Showcase
  • Samsung Vibrant
  • Samsung Galaxy S
  • Samsung Galaxy S2 (multiple carriers)
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia X8
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
  • ZTE V9

Full list of changelog which lists all the features that are being added can be found here.

Download

The latest version of CyanogenMod 7.1 can be installed via ROM Manager, but you can directly download the latest release from their  mirror network also.

Caution: Do not even try to install it if you do not know what you are doing. If you did something wrong, you may brick your Android device.

PS: Thanks Ashwin for the tip.