Spaced Out ::

Well after the debacle that Google’s upgrade of the Nexus 7 (2012) - just imagine wading through treacle and you’ll get the idea as to the usability of Lollipop (e.g.) - I finally got around to downgrading back to Android 4.4.4 (Kit Kat). This then sparked a “why didn’t I think that before” moment when I suddenly thought why not install Cyanogen Mod. Its a long term release and offers the flexibility and usability that any power user wants. So a quick flash of the ROM later, and installation of the Google Apps (Nano version so you just get Play services) and I had a faster, smaller, slicker ROM with a much better experience.

Roll forward 48 hours and the only problem was a significant one - severe battery drain. its not hard to find the culprit as the battery app in Settings shows you - Google Play Services. As this post explains its down to the constant location and server pinging that the app does. It’s fixed on the latest Lollipop version of Cyanogen Mod but no use for Kit Kat. However a quick installation of AppOps, selecting Google Play Swevices and disabling location, wakeup and keep awake seems to have fixed that.

(Cyanogen Mod now also installed on my Motorola Moto e using the recommended unofficial version. So far so good….. )