Here’s one of my favorite CM themes so far.  Dark Dream is a dark, glossy theme for Android.  Currently in version 1.8.1.2, this theme has been around for a little while and features a sleek, streamlined look for your phone.  If you’re into dark themes like I am this is a winner.  Here are some of its features:

The functionality of this theme begins before you even unlock your phone.  Pressing the on button reveals a screen showing the time and other information about your phone.  From this (and screens linked to it) you can see your battery level, control your music playing on your android device, and even display a message giving contact information to someone who might find your phone if you lose it.

The unlock screen is nice as well, blending in with the rest of the theme:

Also of interest are the home screens, which have hints of design based in Android 2.0:

Overall, I really like this theme.  The dark colors have a nice sheen / glossy edge to them and pop off the screen as result making for a nice UI experience.  Definitely worth a try for anyone with Cyanogen Mod.  If you want to try it, just scan the following QR code, or check the Dark Dream XDA-developers post.

Screenshots

First I will start with the themes running on the latest version of CM Mod, especially those easily available through the CM Updater.

One such theme is Alien Aqua.  Currently in Version 0.8, this is a bright / light theme from out of this world.  Okay–maybe it’s from this world, but you get the point.

Let’s start with the Lock Screen and Home Screen. . . . I left a lot of my notification icons up so you could get an idea of what they look like with this theme.  Note the battery, signal strength, and wireless connection strength icons.  From these two shots you can get a general feel for what this theme looks and feels like.

As a whole, the theme is light, glossy and very new-age in feel.  It’s similar to the Crystal XP icon set by the same name (see picture to the right).  The theme integrates well with the system.  Personally it’s not my thing (I’m a fan of dark themes), but it’s definitely worth a download.  You can get it through CM updater, or check out its XDA-developers thread which has detailed instructions for installation of this theme.  More screenshots below.

Screenshots
(click for closer view)

The newest buzz in the world of Android is the whole Google vs. Cyanogen business.  What’s going on?  Where do we go from here?  In the next few paragraphs, I try to explain the situation and throw in my two cents on the matter.

What/Who is Cyanogen / Cyanogen Mod?

Cyanogen (Steve Klondike) is an independent developer who has been creating custom roms for the Google Android operating system.  His roms bring all of the functionality and features of Android and add additional functionality, while providing a stable, production grade environment that runs smoother and faster than the default Android build.

Really?  So what’s the problem?

Cyanogen’s rom (and most other mods for that matter) use proprietary Google Applications (Google Maps, GMail, Google Android Market).  These proprietary bits are necessary for the Android experience (imagine using Android without syncing with your Google phonebook, or being able to browse the Android market apps, etc, etc).  Because those proprietary bits are closed source, what Cyanogen is doing is technically illegal.  Hence the Cease and Desist letter Google sent Steve last week.

Understandably there has been a large backlash in the Android Community.  Android was created supposedly with the idea of being open source, open to the community to do with it what they see fit, open to experimentation, open to tweaking, open to progress.  However, as a commercial product, it becomes more and more closed.  (Some) Applications are closed source (hell I don’t disagree with this… developers have to get paid too), areas of the platform are difficult to modify, so on and so forth.

So what do we do?

First we have to get past the reactionary phase.  Calm down a bit and look at things rationally.  Give me a second to rant so that I may move on in the next paragraph…

Google: get your head together and provide better answers to the community, especially developers.  You’re getting some damned bad press here guys.  If you kill your own brainchild by being obstinate to a guy who is improving your platform, you’re no better than certain software fruitcakes from Cupertino and the software tyrants from Redmond.  If this is not resolved it is time to go to go, do not collect $200 and rename thyself ‘Macrosoft’.

Ok… now that that is off of my chest, lets explore the paths that lead from here:

Abandon ROMS: Not going to happen.  ROMs improve Android greatly, making it run faster than before, use less battery power than before in some instances, and improving the overall quality of the Android platform.  We’ll get athletes to stop using steroids first.  We’ll get politicians to stop cheating on their wives first.  Shoot… we’ll get me to start my homework on time first before that happens.

Ditch Google Proprietary Bits: This is the route that’s being taken for the moment.  Cyanogen is making a custom ROM without Google bits and is aiming to provide those bits from alternative applications.  Hello alternative market.  Hello alternative to Google Maps.  But this will make people think thrice about rooting and moving to a Mod.  The Google Android experience is built partially on these bits.

Work it out with Google: This requires some corporate cooperation from Big G.  How about a deal that allows these bits to be used by Cyanogen or Android Rom Devs in general?  No?  Ok… how about hiring Cyanogen so that he can keep working, this time making ‘Tools’ that can optionally be downloaded by enthusiasts such as myself who would like to push the envelope of my Android’ phone’s operation?

A side note… if you liked Cyanogen’s work, check out the Save CyanogenMod application in the Android market:

Save CyanogenMod Price: Free Description: Voice your opinion on the Cyanogen developments by downloading this app.

I’ll continue to monitor this situation with reserved displeasure and slight annoyance.  As always… feel free to comment below to tell me how you disagree with me or include your POV.