Paranoid Android is the name given to a custom ROM with a focus on open devices. The development team aim to extend Android rather than simply add features to it, using “the same design philosophies Google uses with AOSP (Android Open Source Project).” In early September, we wrote about the release of the first 4.6 beta, which included a number of bug fixes and improvements. Paranoid Android have now released a rebuilt 4.6 ROM, beta 3 “Solid Strawberry.” In their Google+ post, they acknowledged a couple of bugs. One was associated with a user responding to an On-The-Spot confirmation dialogue and the second was associated with video playback breaking on the OnePlus One. Because Paranoid Android already includes an over-the-air (OTA) update engine, providing your device has been online, users should already have the update waiting for them. The update will crush these bugs so if you haven’t already done so, go ahead and update your device.
If you’re not a user of Paranoid Android, let me explain a little more of the custom ROM. It’s available on a number of devices but given that the developers favour open handsets, it’s no surprise that highlighted devices include all Nexus devices from Samsung Galaxy Nexus and newer (there are nine in total, counting the different variants, across six models), the Oppo N1, Oppo Find 5 and of course the OnePlus One. However, Paranoid Android do offer limited support for other devices, called legacy in their terminology. The list includes many popular handsets from the last few years including the Galaxy S range, the Moto X, Moto G and HTC One (M7). Some custom ROMs are designed to completely change the look and feel of your device, such as Xiaomi’s MIUI. Other custom ROMs are designed to incorporate a few new features and remove some of the carrier or manufacturer bloat that our handsets may, unfortunately, ship with. Others open up the massive world of customisation and theming but starting from a very stock-like experience and this is arguably where Paranoid Android fits. As you use a device running Paranoid Android, especially if you are used to a Nexus or Google Play Edition handset, you begin to notice changes here and there. There are different animations and more options in the Settings menu, which may uncover a huge number of additional features and benefits. Custom ROM developers also include improvements under the skin to enhance performance, battery life and smoothness. Installing and using a custom ROM is one way to keep an older device feeling current.
Do you use Paranoid Android? Did you notice the On-The-Spot or video playback bug? And are you pleased that the Paranoid developers fixed the issues so quickly? Hit us up in the comments and let us know.