The new “milestone” release from the Android Open Kang Project (AOKP) is starting to roll out today. So far, we’re seeing builds available for most Nexus phones including toro (Verizon Galaxy Nexus), toroplus (Sprint Galaxy Nexus), mako (Nexus 4), and maguro (GSM Galaxy Nexus). We’re told that a post detailing the full changelog is in the works, but for now, you can expect changes to the nav/statusbar for tablets, “rewritten” RomControl, custom toggles, and a ton of bug fixes.

To grab the latest builds for your devices, hit up the source link below. 

We’ll update this post as soon as we have more details.

Update:  The announcement for this new milestone is live and includes a new release schedule for “builds.” In fact, the AOKP team is mostly referring to them as nightlies that will come out every four days going forward. There won’t be announcements for them, and they are mostly untested, so should you be willing to flash them, be sure to report back any issues. Also, milestone releases will likely happen on a monthly basis, assuming we get to a new month and the newest build is deserving of the “milestone” title.

And on a couple of related notes, AOKP has officially crossed the 1 million install milestone, which is quite the accomplishment. Last, they released an app called AOKPush [Play Link], so that you can keep track of all the latest builds.

Via:  AOKP [2]

New AOKP Milestone Releases Start Rolling Out, New “AOKPush” App Keeps Track of Newest Builds (Updated) is a post from: Droid Life

Just moments ago, the AOKP team released Build 3 of their popular ROM for the consumption of the masses. A changelog is yet to be posted, but once it is, we’ll update the post. The team has added a few newly supported devices such as the crespo4g, i9100, i9100g, i9300, and toroplus. Unfortunately, users of wingray/stingray devices will no longer receive builds due to lack of a maintainer.

Update: Here is the changelog.

• SMS QuickReply
• Stopwatch & Countdown in the Clock app (CM)
• Expert Calculator functions (Graph, Matrices, etc.) (CM)
• IME Switcher & Vib/Ring toggle as NavRing target

We fixed some serious bugs (you can set custom ringtones now), and made a few other fixes & improvements as usual.

Download Here

Via: AOKP

Cheers Trevin!

Android Open Kang Project’s Build 3 Released, Go Get Your Custom ROM On is a post from: Droid Life

Oh, those crazy developers. If you have flashed the newest build of AOKP, then just like the official Jelly Bean build from Google, you can find some amusing Easter Egg fun. Under Settings, tap rapidly on “AOKP verison” which will bring up a flashy picture of a majestic unicorn. Long press on the unicorn and boom, tons of floating multi-colored unicorn heads for you to play around with.

Good work, fellas.

Cheers Bryan!

AOKP Developers Add In Their Own Jelly Bean Easter Egg Goodies is a post from: Droid Life

Well, the time has come. The AOKP team has released their first official Jelly Bean build and already, they’re off to a great start. Users can expect to see all of the well-known features such as notification bar mods, lockscreen tweaks, and a lot more custom hax. To find downloads and get more info on the build, follow the via down below.

Features you will see (but not limited to) in this build:

Notification Toggles
Lockscreen tweaks (no custom targets yet)
Navigation bar modifications
Custom kernel performance options
LED colors
Notification wallpapers
Phone ringer modifications (Flip call to silent, silent/vibrate when headphones are in)
Plus more!

Update:  Builds are starting to pup up and users can now download JB AOKP for the Nexus S and Nexus 7. Still awaiting on the toro Galaxy Nexus build.

Update 2:  The Galaxy Nexus LTE (toro) build is up. [Download]

We’ll be sure to get it booted up and have a nice little run down of the build as soon as we get it downloaded.

Via: AOKP, Google+

Android Open Kang Project’s First Official Jelly Bean Build Released, Flashers Rejoice (Update) is a post from: Droid Life

Developer nize2beme uploaded a port of AOKP for the Nexus 7 to the forums at RootzWiki last night. So far, this is a very early alpha build and in order to get it booted up and running, he says he needed to take pieces of code from the newest CM10 source. At the moment, the developer is looking to get it up and running with more stability, then will add custom features such as a tablet mode tweak and all of the other battery mods and other AOKP customizations.

If your Nexus 7 is unlocked, rooted, and running a custom recovery, then feel free to give it a go. Be sure to make a backup.

Via: RootzWiki

Cheers Dan!

Developer Ports Unofficial AOKP Build to the Nexus 7 is a post from: Droid Life

For everyone that has been waiting on the Android Open Kang Project team to release a build for the Galaxy Nexus that incorporated Jelly Bean, you can download a “preview build” that was released just a coupe of days ago. It has all of the Android 4.1.1 goodness you have been dying for, along with some added AOKP goodies.

From what I’ve found so far, they have only just begun to add all of the fancy customizations. For now, you can have toggles in the pull down menu, clock and battery mods, and of course, those awesome AOKP custom wallpapers. 

For those interested in flashing, make sure you are rooted and running a custom recovery. Download each of the files linked below and place them on your phone’s storage. Reboot into recovery, then wipe your data/cache. Once done cleaning, install the preview build, then the Gapps. Reboot and enjoy.

AOKP Toro Preview Build | Gapps

Via: Google+

Cheers Interstellarmind, Mike, and Bryce!

AOKP Jelly Bean Preview Build Released for Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

A non-profit organization named Linaro has recently posted codes that help boost Android system performance by a reported 100%. Their work is focused on how and what the Android OS spends time processing, making the OS run with better efficiency. Since release, it was only a matter of time before that we would begin to see these codes be written into our favorite ROM’s, and the time has come. The creator of AOKP has re-released Build #38 with the Linaro codes baked in, and the performance increase is definitely noticeable. There are also builds available for CyanogenMod users if CM is more your style.

If you want to give the boost a try on your Galaxy Nexus, follow the via link below. To better explain Linaro and how it benefits Android, watch this video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

An awesome interview with Bernhard Rosenkränzer where he explains his job at Linaro:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: RootzWiki

Linaro Tweaks Added to AOKP, System Performance Boosts Are Quite Noticeable is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

The CyanogenMod team has made the mascot change truly official, revamping the official CM9 boot animation to reflect their decision. Say goodbye to Andy and hello to Cid. Whether you care for the change or not, it looks like it is here to stay. Frankly, I’m more of a Unicorn man myself these days when it comes to custom ROM’s.

Cheers Scott!

CyanogenMod Team Reveal New CM9 Boot Animation, New Mascot in Full Effect is a post from: Droid Life

Users of the Android Open Kang Project ROM can install an application from the Play Store that will backup almost every single AOKP setting you could imagine, making flashing and restoring ROMs as easy as 1,2,3. Users will need to be on the Milestone 5 build or newer in order for it to work, but Roman is looking to make more earlier builds supported. The application is two bucks, but you’re directly supporting the developer, so show some love if you happen to run AOKP on any of your devices.

Play Link

Cheers Badz!

Backup Tool Application Released for Android Open Kang Project Line of ROM’s is a post from: Droid Life

If you happen to be running the newest builds of CyanogenMod or AOKP, then you already know that they have the popular Theme Manager baked right in. We are starting to see the first applications come forward on the forums and we have linked to them down below. So far, we have a vivid green one and a few dark/black options. To use them, just download the apk’s and install them as you would any other 3rd party app. Then, open the Theme Manager and apply from there.

Dark Ice | ICS Green | Black Exodus

Cheers Chris!

First Wave of CM9/AOKP Theme Manager APK’s Start Popping Up is a post from: Droid Life

Big day for custom ROM users, as the Android Open Kang Project team has released Milestone 5 for all supported devices. The list of supported devices is humongous and chances are, your device is certainly one of them. Milestone 5 brings mostly a ton of fixes and should make your device’s operation as smooth as butter. With AOKP, there are always tons of theme options and customizations that are just not possible on a stock build. If you want to give it a look over and download, then follow the source links down below.

Via: AOKP | Rootzwiki

Cheers Ostensibly!

Android Open Kang Project Releases Milestone 5 For All Supported Devices is a post from: Droid Life

With the release of Android 4.0.4 to the Open Source Project, custom ROM developers have begun the scramble in working all of the newest features into their current work. One of the more well-known developers, Roman and his team from the Android Open Kang Project, have released Build 29 for the Galaxy Nexus and there are also builds floating around from other mentionable developers, inlcuding a stock 4.0.4 build from Birdman.

AOKP Build 29 | Stock 4.0.4

For downloads and flashing instructions, just click the thread link you wish to read up on and go from there. But do note, that when flashing a newer version of Android, you must wipe data/cache in order to have a clean install. We don’t want anyone bootlooping when trying to perform these tasks.

Cheers K!

First Batch of 4.0.4 ROMs Arrive for the LTE Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

Owners of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus have surely heard the name Android Open Kang Project (AOKP). It is undoubtedly one of the most, if not thee most commonly used custom ROM available for select devices. I have had the opportunity to have a quick session with lead developer Roman Birg of AOKP and ask him some questions to get inside the mind of one of today’s top developers.  

DL: So, Roman. What started your work on the AOKP?

Roman: One day on twitter, b16 said he had a few extra Galaxy Nexus devices he was selling for a lot cheaper than stock, so I jumped on it. I’ve been doing ROMs for a little over a year now and I was eager to play with AOSP again, so I jumped on the offer, quick. A couple days after I got it, I released AOKP build 1, and I sort of add features around what I want personally, and AOSP just didn’t do it, so I just started adding things as I saw fit and it just sort of went from there…

DL: What’s your background in development in general? Do you have proper schooling in that or are you all self-taught? It seems like a lot of the Android devs out there these days pumping out ROMs have all just picked up their skills from fellow developers.

Roman: I’m a Computer Science major at college (and they teach Java), but I don’t think any college courses helped me with Android, maybe with a little bit of Java coding, but Android is just so much more than that.

DL: So what got you into Android development in the first place?

Roman: After I got a Samsung Vibrant, I was just flashing everything I could for a couple months. After a while, I wasn’t satisfied with something a ROM developer had done and I wanted to change it to how it was before. it just snow balled from there – I started doing a little theming. Then I started smali hacking and adding new features.

DL: So your first Android device was the Vibrant?

Roman: Yes and no, I found a G1 for like $90 on eBay a few months prior to getting my Vibrant. I’m pretty sure I didn’t even have the G1 24 hours before rooting and putting CyanogenMod on it.

DL: Nice - So do you also work full time alongside development on Android or have you made Android your full time? It seems you put so much work into AOKP that you wouldn’t have time for anything else.

Roman: Actually, I’m a full time student at college, and I was working 20 hours a week until about a week ago.

DL: What were you doing for work? Anything exciting?

Roman: I was working for a network research lab at school. It’s not as exciting as Android.

DL: What do you see in the future for your work on Android? Any goals you have set for yourself?

Roman: Ideally, I’d love to make ROMs as a job, but unfortunately, that doesn’t pay nearly enough to sustain anyone. However! Very soon, I’ll be starting to develop Android Apps. I could definitely see myself doing that in the future. Hopefully I have some success doing that.

DL: So, what types of apps are looking to make?

Roman: I’ve actually started working on my first app just yesterday. I’m working closely with the guys at RootzWiki to bring something (hopefully) awesome for all ROM fiends. It’s tentatively named RootzBox.

DL: Hmm, RootzBox? Can you give us a little hint as to what the app’s purpose is?

Roman: It’s still early in it’s planning and development, but the idea is to make everything related to ROMs easier on the user. We’ve got some nice features planned that will make the app unique and Rootz-worthy .

DL: Nice, be sure to keep us posted on that. So what do you think it is that has made AOKP so tremendously popular among users? Did you plan on creating a ROM that would make people even put CyanogenMod in the backseat for a bit?

Roman: Honestly, I had no idea it would get as big as it has. I do this all for fun, so I was just doing whatever — adding a feature here and there, whatever I felt like doing at the time. Ever since I started playing with ROMs, I’ve always been about options and user-choice. So after a while, I had a toggle for this and I had a toggle for that. People are able customize their phone and make it feel different than others. Furthermore, the community involvement has just been amazing, which is more than any ROM dev could want. People submit code to add a feature, or maybe improve on a feature that’s already been added. AOKP would be nothing without those who’ve contributed (Zaphod-Beeble, Whitehawkx, sethyx, Khas-Mek, and ProTekk just to name a few).

And on the subject of CyanogenMod – I just want to point out that I’m not in any way trying to compete with them. While AOKP is made from pure AOSP, we wouldn’t be able to get AOKP on any phone that’s not supported by AOSP without CyanogenMod and all of the people who contribute to it.

DL: So right off the top of your head, what types of features are you hoping to bring to future versions of AOKP? Anything you want to do but don’t have the ability, or means to quite yet? Anything like that on your mind lately?

Roman: I would love to be able to add a theme manager (like the T-Mobile one that CM7 had), but I don’t know nearly enough to accomplish something like that. More realistically, I think we’d be able to add a way for the user to change the color scheme of the whole ROM. Right now you can change the color of your clock, signal text, and a few other things, but I’d love to let the user be able to pick a color, and their whole phone be in that color.

DL: That’s something everyone has been hoping for. Okay, so I have to ask – What’s the deal with the pink unicorns?

Roman: Whitehawkx and I have a T-Mo SGS2 ROM and it has ROM Control kind of like AOKP, but it’s much more limited since we’re smali-hacking all the features in. Anyways, one day we were just joking around and thought it’d be really awesome to make pink unicorn our ‘logo.’ Before we know it, one of our friends, kwes, makes us a unicorn logo and Rascarlo makes us that boot animation. And it just stuck.

DL: Just last night I went to apply my favorite live wallpaper Phase Beam and noticed it had been replaced by cute pink unicorn heads dancing on my screen. Fabulous!

Roman: That was actually a user-contribution! We all loved it when we saw it, there’s no way I couldn’t not include it. It’s definitely fabulous.

DL: Awesome. Well to wrap it up, is there anything else you want to say to the community, users, fellow devs or anything?

Roman: We’re all here to learn and make our devices better. Users: don’t be afraid to ask questions and be as nice as you can to other users (I remember when I was deathly afraid of posting in fear of being scowled for asking something that was answered 10,000 pages back). Developers: open source is what drives this community, keep it that way.

DL: Excellent, thanks for talking with us!

Roman: May the kang be with you.

If you want to learn more about the AOKP or give it a go on your device, you can find downloads and all the info you will ever need over the AOKP site. Interested in reading other developer interviews we have held? Then you can search through here and find them all.

Interview: Roman Birg, Lead Developer of the Android Open Kang Project is a post from: Droid Life

If you are running the newest build of the Android Open Kang Project on your Galaxy Nexus and have been looking for some dark and exciting themes to deck your phone out in, then look no further. Themer SonnySekhon has delivered some minimal and classy themes for everyone’s pleasure. There are six colors to choose from, but we have decided to showcase just two in this week’s Custom Theme Friday. Look for the other colors in next week’s edition.

Shown above is Frost on the left and Lucid on the right. Give a look over the directions we have posted down below and if you feel like having your device look like the ones shown above, then follow them closely.

Warning: You must be running a stock (non-themed) AOKP Build #23 in order to flash these zip files.

Installation Instructions:

1. Download the zip file you have decided to flash.

Frost | Lucid 

2. Place the zip on your phone’s storage.
3. Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery.
4. Create nandroid backup immediately.
5. Locate chosen zip file and install.
6. Reboot and enjoy.

If you have any questions or concerns, let us know down below and we’ll do our best to help you out.

Via: RootzWiki

Custom Theme Friday: Frost And Lucid For The Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

The well loved Android Open Kang Project has been brought to the original DROID Incredible. Built from the latest Google offering, Android 4.0.3, AOKP brings the greatest in customization options that the rooting world has to offer. We have covered AOKP in some of our previous Custom ROM Friday posts which you can see here. For rooted and unlocked Incredibles, flashing is as easy as one, two, three. 

Installation Instructions:

1. Download AOKP zip file and place on phone’s storage.
2. Download Google Apps and place on phone’s storage.
3. Reboot into ClockworkMod Recovery and create a Nandroid backup.
4. Wipe data/cache.
5. Install AOKP ROM.
6. Install Google Apps.
7. Reboot and enjoy.

If you have questions or run into problems, let us know down below and we will do our best to help you out.

Via: XDA

Cheers Joe!

Original DROID Incredible Receives Ice Cream Sandwich Through AOKP Build 22 is a post from: Droid Life