Over the weekend, the first alpha builds of the 3.50 Paranoid Android ROM hit the Nexus 4 and Nexus 7. Starting today, all of you Galaxy Nexus owners can get in on the fun too. What makes Paranoid Android so special is that it features the fancy new Halo feature, something we have been chatting about for the past week. With Halo, you can have a system-wide Chat Head-like feature for your most recent notification. It’s new, sexy, and very cool. 

To download the build, follow the via link to XDA down below. Be on the lookout for a hands-on video with Halo sometime later today.

Via: XDA

Cheers Will, Jeremy, and Mike!

Builds of Paranoid Android 3.50 Now Up for Verizon “toro” Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

This week, the CyanogenMod team announced that their newest nightly ROM builds of CM10.1 would include Pie Controls. We have been a fan of Pie since we first saw it being used in Paranoid Android, so it made us happy to hear it was coming to the more widely-used CyanogenMod. To help show some folks how to enable Pie Controls and set them up, we put together this nice little video that you see below. 

The truth is that we spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out how to set it up ourselves, so we are sparing you any possible frustration down the road.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video: How to Set Up Pie Controls on CyanogenMod Nightlies is a post from: Droid Life

Since the departure of Pete Alfonso and updates to his Bugless Beast ROM, folks have been on the search for a new minimal, stock AOSP build that brings smooth operation and vanilla Android feel. We received a few requests to make sure everyone new about a somewhat newcomer to the custom ROM scene called, Shiny. 

The developer has been building multiple ROM’s from source, but this is his first published work for the toro Galaxy Nexus. It brings a complete OTA feel to the device, running Android 4.2.2. What will make this different from your stock firmware though is the replacement of the stock browser app with Google Chrome, the ROM is deodexed, comes with custom reboot options in the power menu, and more.

Features:

• Stock Android 4.2.2, build JDQ39
• Source (AOSP) built kernel (boot.img)
• Deodexed
• Easily rootable (see information below)
• G-Apps (GMail, Play Store, etc.) included in build along with Nexus apps
• Stock browser replaced with Google Chrome
• Shiny restart options
  
• 4.2 wallpapers and sounds included
• Updated frequently
• Everything works!

If you are not for all of the crazy aesthetic changes that some ROMs bring and you just want a smooth operator (shout out to Sade), then check out Shiny.

For instructions on flashing and finding downloads, head on over to the forum thread by following the via below.

Via: RootzWiki

Cheers JaronDW!

Custom ROM Friday: Shiny ROM for Verizon Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

The new radios from the Android 4.2.2 (JDQ39) for the Galaxy Nexus LTE on Verizon that was released tonight are now available in .zip form. Thanks to XDA member mwalt2, this file should be flashable over any current G-Nex radios as it includes the full radio.img.

With little testing thus far, it’s tough to tell what kind of difference these can make it network connectivity, battery life, etc. If you are willing to take the risk and do not feel like leaving your current custom ROM, feel free to give them a look. Understand that the CDMA radio will take a while during the flashing process. 

Download Link [XDA Link]

Flash the .zip file in your favorite custom recovery.

Cheers adbFreedom and Steven!

Download: New Radios From Galaxy Nexus LTE 4.2.2 Update is a post from: Droid Life

Over the weekend, our buddy El Madhatter sent us a screenshot of his Galaxy Nexus test device which had received an update to Android 4.2.2 (JDQ39). This caused some excitement around the DL community, as in the past when we had seen leaks from him, they were quickly released for our own flashing. Unfortunately this time around, he had already taken the update and was unable to grab the file URL, thanks to a busy schedule. Well, folks, he finally found some time and wit ha little help from XDA member oldblue910 has grabbed the direct Google download of the update for your flashing pleasure. 

Download Link [mirror]

*In order to apply this update in any of the situations below, you need to be 100% stock Android 4.1.1 (JRO03O). This is not a ROM that can be flashed over another ROM. It’s an update.

Instructions (rooted):

*For 100% stock Android 4.1.1 (JRO03O), but with root and custom recovery.

*Keep in mind that this is technically a test build.

1.  If you are rooted and with a custom recovery, download the file from above to your phone.
2.  Reboot your phone into recovery.

*Hold both Volume Up and Down plus Power at the same time until you see a “Start” button appear.

3.  Choose “install zip from sdcard.”
4.  Find the file you downloaded, and select it.
5.  Once it finishes, reboot your phone and enjoy 4.2.2.

Instructions (non-rooted “adb sideload”):

*For some reason on my Galaxy Nexus, I did not have the “adb sideload” option to update via stock recovery. If you do, these instructions are for you. If you get into stock recovery and don’t see the option, you’ll need to jump down to the next set of instructions.

*I’m also going to assume you know adb commands if you know about the sideload command.

*These are also the abbreviated adb sideload instructions. For the full guide, check out this post.

1.  Download the file from above to your computer.
2.  Plug your phone into your computer and type “adb reboot bootloader” in your command prompt.
3.  Your phone will boot to fastboot.
4.  From here, scroll down with Volume Down to “Recovery” and select it with Power.
5.  When the exclamation point and Android appear, tap Volume Up and Power at the same time.
6.  You should now be in recovery.
7.  If you see “adb sideload” as an option, choose it. (If you don’t, jump to the next set of instructions.)
8.  From your computer terminal, type in “adb sideload <filename of the update file>”
9.  Your phone will prompt you with a set of instructions for updating.
10.  Follow them, update your phone, and enjoy.

Instructions (non-rooted):

*If you tried the instructions above and are not seeing “adb sideload” as an option in stock recovery, you’ll have to use these instructions. The only way to update at this time, is to temporarily flash a custom recovery. It’s not hard and will not ruin your phone by any means. Temporarily flashing means that after you install the update and reboot, your stock recovery will return. This will not root your phone.

*This Nexus toolkit is the one I’ve chosen for this set of instructions. [XDA thread]

*Once downloaded, run the .exe file (Windows) and follow the install instructions. Once installed, hit up the instructions below.

1.  Download the update file from above to your phone’s storage.
2.  Using the toolkit above, choose LTE Galaxy Nexus with build 4.1.1 (JRO03O).
3.  From the main menu, choose option 10, “Boot to custom recovery without permanently flashing it.”
4.  Then choose option 1, boot to Clockworkmod Touch Recovery.
5.  Follow the next on-screen instructions to boot into Fastboot mode.
6.  Watch your phone boot into fastboot, flash recovery, and then take you to recovery.
7.  From there, choose “install zip from sdcard.”
8.  Find the update file you downloaded in step 1.
9.  Select it and install the update.
10.  Once finished, reboot, enjoy Android 4.2.2 and your stock recovery.

Update:  Here are the new radios as a .zip file.

Update 2:  Video of some of 4.2′s new features for those new to it:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  XDA

Cheers oldblue910 and El Madhatter!

Download: Android 4.2.2 (JDQ39) for the Galaxy Nexus LTE on Verizon is a post from: Droid Life

It’s Friday, Friday, gotta flash ROM’s on Friday! Well, now that you all hate me for getting that stuck in your head, let’s start talking geeky ROM goodness. Today, we are featuring custom ROM’s for the Galaxy Note 2 on Verizon and the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon. 

The two ROM’s are Jelly’Beans’ and MMuzzyROM. Both are heavily based in the stock look of Android, which we here at DL can greatly appreciate. So, what makes these ROM’s noteworthy? Let’s start with Jelly’Beans’ for the Note 2. As I mentioned, the ROM gives the look and feel of Jelly Bean, while still retaining the functionality of certain software that Samsung includes on their devices, such as multi-window. By taking it a step further, the developer has enabled all apps to work with that feature, successfully bringing the best of AOSP and TouchWiz together and in perfect unity. You may now kiss the bride.

In terms of other features, there are the popular statusbar customization options for toggles and mods, the developer has removed the annoying location icon from the top bar (thank you!), and a long list of other goodies. To see the full list of ROM features and to download this ROM, check out the thread on XDA here.

Now, onto MMuzzyROM for the Galaxy Nexus toro. We all know there is a countless amount of custom ROMs available for this device – it’s the beauty of owning a “Nexus.” What makes people different is that some want features upon features, while others want a more pure Android, smooth experience without all of the bells and whistles. If you recall Bugless Beast, that ROM was well known for being pure Android with just a few tweaks to make it run very smooth, stable, and fast. And now with Pete gone from the development game, in comes MMuzzyROM.

With this ROM, users can take advantage of an enhanced power menu, quick setting modifications, and native data tethering. In essence, it is a bare bones ROM that brings minimal changes to the device, but plenty of performance tweaks and other small mods. If you are looking for speed and performance, try out MMuzzyROM. You can check out the full list of features and get downloads right on their thread here.

Via: Jelly’Beans’ | MMuzzyROM

Preview of MMuzzyROM:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cheers Tim242 and and Jared!

Custom ROM Friday: Jelly’Beans’ for the Verizon Galaxy Note 2 and MMuzzyROM for the Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

Custom ROM’s are still a large part of this community, with two of the top dogs being AOKP and Paranoid Android for a multitude of devices. If you are currently running one of their previous builds, then it looks like it is time to update.

Over the weekend, a release candidate for Paranoid Android 3+ was uploaded to XDA, along with an extremely awesome/in-depth hands-on video giving an overview of the ROM and its features such as hybrid property settings. These settings allow you to change the layout of the entire device and for individual apps. For example, you can use the tablet UI for the Gmail app if you so choose and any other app that is compatible. Definitely watch the video if you are prepared for your mind to be blown. 

As for AOKP, Build 3 of the JB-Mr1 ROM is up and ready for flashing. Inside there is a new UI mode selector, lockscreen options, and a ton of new options for the navigation bar. For a full rundown of each new addition for the ROM’s, go ahead and follow the download links which will take you to their respective homepages.

Don’t forget to make a backup!

Downloads: AOKP | Paranoid Android

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cheers Jeff and Kimir!

Custom ROM Monday: AOKP JB-MR1 Build 3 and Paranoid Android 3+ is a post from: Droid Life

The guys behind Paranoid Android ROM are in the process of finishing up their latest build, version 3.0. In a quick teaser to help get their base excited about the release, they published a video that highlights a their “Expanded Desktop Mode” and some of its new features. What is “Expanded Desktop Mode,” you ask? Only the coolest ROM feature I have seen in quite some time. 

The idea behind this feature is to do exactly as the name suggests – give you more desktop space to play with. With a phone like the Nexus 4 or Galaxy Nexus, you have on-screen navigation keys that take up screen real estate, so this idea makes perfect sense. The Paranoid team decided to hide the navigation keys from sight, but still make them accessible with a swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen. They also chose to hide the notification bar in this mode to give you even more display space.

What you get is a full-screen experience, but with quick access to all of your important functions with a single swipe and hold. As you’ll see in the video, Google Now is still easily accessible, as is multi-tasking, a battery meter, the clock, date, and even notifications. Oh, you can also control the color of the nav menu depending on the app you are in.

Go watch the video, then pick your jaw up, and think about flashing this ROM. From what I can tell, the first builds are rolling out today.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  +Paranoid Android [2]

Cheers FrankN!

“Expanded Desktop Mode” in Paranoid Android ROM is the Coolest ROM Feature I’ve Seen in a Long Time is a post from: Droid Life

Late last night, the AOKP team finally dropped their first release as MR1 for Jelly Bean (Android 4.2.1). As you had probably hoped, it contains many of your favorite features from past builds.

You’ll find the custom boot animation, statusbar tweaks, power menu options, custom lockscreen options, a fully customizable navigation bar, more statusbar styles, LED control, sound settings, and more. And maybe more importantly, they fixed some of the bugs that came with stock Android 4.2.1. 

The Galaxy Nexus builds ship with LeanKernel 5.4.0. Builds for the Nexus 4 and 7 ship with the stock kernel from Google. And yes, as of now, AOKP MR1 is only available on the LTE and GSM G-Nex, Nexus 4 and Nexus 7. Galaxy S3 and Note 2 builds are expected to be included in the next release.

Update:  It looks like the Rezound has a new build today as well.

To flash, you definitely need to fully wipe beforehand.

You’ll find download links at the source link below, including one for the Google Apps package.

Via:  AOKP

Cheers Teng, Shaun and Eric!

AOKP Team Finally Releases Android 4.2.1 MR1 to the Galaxy Nexus and Others is a post from: Droid Life

The jump from Android 4.1 to 4.2 apparently didn’t confuse developers that much and fans of CyanogenMod will be happy for that. The first nightly build of CM 10.1 for Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus, otherwise known as ‘toro’, has just been posted and is available for download now. 

If you aren’t satisfied enough, the CM team has better news for you. The team’s Google+ was updated and said that the build has been ‘tested extensively on older devices’ and that you shouldn’t need to wipe data when upgrading to 10.1. The only caveat is the Clock app does not work at the moment. CM’s version of the application and Google’s don’t play nice, but if you need to fix it just clear the Clock app’s data in the Settings menu.

Download

Via: Google+

Cheers Shawn!

Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus Receives CM 10.1 Nightlies, Flash Without Losing Any Data is a post from: Droid Life

As a Galaxy Nexus owner, you expect nothing but the latest and greatest software to be running on your device. Unfortunately, Verizon is currently not the fastest carrier to deliver such things. But don’t worry, this is Android! Once Android 4.2 hit AOSP, along with the Verizon binaries, the developers got straight to work.

As of right now, we have a few custom ROM’s that feature pure Android 4.2 AOSP code to share with you. Below, we will provide links to their respective forum pages and will continue to share more ROM’s as they emerge. If you have a favorite custom ROM that you would like us to personally flash and share with the community, go ahead and let us know down below in the comments section. 

Pure Android 4.2 Jelly Bean | MMuzzy’s Android 4.2 | mROM v3.0 Jelly Bean 4.2

Now, remember you must be rooted and running a custom recovery to get these to work. If you still have yet to get into the root game, then start learning up so you can run Android 4.2 right here. Be safe, folks and don’t forget to make a backup.

Galaxy Nexus Seeing First Batch of Android 4.2 Custom ROM’s From AOSP is a post from: Droid Life

Android 4.2 has been announced to the world, but not released into our greedy hands yet. Thanks to a leaked system dump, the Google Apps package from Android 4.2 has been bundled and released for download if you are in a tinkering mood. We’re talking Gmail, Calendar, Clock, keyboard, camera, etc. It’s worth noting that Google split the package to not include Google Wallet, but there is a separate download for a new version of that. 

The Google Apps (GApps) package comes in a flashable .zip that can be used through your favorite custom recovery. Be warned however, you might want to check with the developer of your ROM to see if this will cooperate, or you could make a backup of your current build before flashing these, just to be safe. It never hurts to air on the side of caution when installing packages like these.

The Google Wallet is a .apk file that can be installed like any other sideloaded app.

Update:  We hearing from Keyan X, the man who bundled the apps, and he wanted us to note that stock ROMs are having some issues. These apps should work fine in AOKP or other ROMs, but 100% stock phones are having problems.

Download:  GApps (.zip) | Google Wallet [mirror] (.apk)

Via: AndroidSpin | @KillDroidHack

Android 4.2 Google Apps Package Bundled and Available for Flashing on the Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

If you’ve been trying as hard as me to make your phone look and feel as close to Android 4.2 as possible, then you’ve come to the right spot. Thanks to the hard work of gnufabio, we have the latest files pulled from the 4.2 system dump of the Nexus 4, and have installable Clock and Keyboard applications. We posted an earlier build of the keyboard, but this one is much faster and looks like the one that Hugo showed off on Monday. 

As for the clock app, you can see that the homescreen widget has been re-done, again, and there’s a new look to the timer, stopwatch, which works great. To install, you will need to be rooted and have a custom recovery installed. If you meet those requirements, then go for it! No wipe required, just flash away.

Note: These should work on multiple devices, but I can only confirm that it works on the Galaxy Nexus. If you experiment, let us know how it goes down below.

Downloads:

• Android 4.2 Clock App
• Android 4.2 Keyboard 

Via: gnufabio

Cheers Tjhrulz!

Clock App and Newest Build of Android 4.2 Keyboard Made Available for Flashing is a post from: Droid Life

These developers remind me somewhat of Santa Claus. Yesterday, we were treated to an early build of the Swype-like keyboard from Android 4.2, and now, we have the official camera APK as well. After having it installed for only about 5 minutes, I can already say it’s a huge improvement over the last variations and I already know I’m going to completely fall in love with Photo Sphere. But enough talk, let’s get to installing it on your device. 

Firstly, this zip is only available for Galaxy Nexus phones that are rooted. All others need not apply. Sorry. If you’re packing a rooted G-Nex with a custom recovery installed, follow the instructions below. Also, some people are reporting bugs with Photo Sphere – mine worked fine, but just know that there are issues for some.

Instructions:

1.  Download the 4.2Camera.zip (mirror) file.
2.  Place the zip file on the root of your phone’s storage.
3.  Reboot into your recovery.
4.  Just in case, make a backup.
5.  Flash the 4.2Camera.zip file. (No need to wipe anything)
6.  Once installed, reboot your phone.
7.  Lastly, enjoy it!

Gallery:

Via: XDA

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Download: Camera APK From Android 4.2 For Galaxy Nexus [Photo Sphere Included] is a post from: Droid Life

Peter Alfonso’s beloved Bugless Beast was updated last night to include the Android 4.1.2 update for Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners. Bugless Beast has always been known as a very fast, stable, and no-bs ROM, so if you’re already running BB or have been looking to try out a new ROM, then it’s most certainly worth your time.

Download Here

Cheers J and Jason!

Bugless Beast for Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE Updated to Android 4.1.2 is a post from: Droid Life