Cyanogen: We're going to take Android away from Google

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On January 31, Kirt McMaster, CEO of a company called Cyanogen that is developing a modified version of Android, told the Wall Street Journal last week: "We are going to take Android away from Google."

This statement may make Google uneasy.

Because Android is an open source software, any company can obtain Android's source code and modify it at will to develop a unique and improved version of Android.

For example, Google partners Samsung and HTC can both layer their own software on top of stock Android to promote their own apps and services.

There is also a version of Android that is derived from Android but is completely different from Android. This new version of the software may not include Google's apps, services, or the Google Play Store.

Amazon has developed such a version of Android and uses it in its Fire tablets and phones.

These companies have not changed Google's control over Android. But Cyanogen is different. It now has $100 million in funding, including $70 million from Microsoft.

Cyanogen will make Android better and easier to use. Obviously, software upgrades will be more frequent, and more and more domestic manufacturers will use Android software. If the modified version of Android developed by Cyanogen can succeed, it will shake the control of Android.

Google will not sit still and wait for its fate to be extinguished. It may take some steps to avoid being overthrown. It could add stricter restrictions to the agreements it reaches with partners.

Regardless, McMaster's comments suggest that at least one company is now considering taking a piece of Google's pie.