Android 4.4 KitKat plans for AOKP, CyanogenMod, OmniROM and Paranoid Android detailed

Android 4.4 KitKat is only officially available on the Nexus 5 so far, but various custom ROM makers have further detailed their KitKat-related plans, including AOKP, CyanogenMod, OmniROM and Paranoid Android.

AOKP

The AOKP team announced that it’s working both on Android 4.3 and Android 4.4 builds. Half of the team is preparing the final Milestone build for Android 4.3, while the other half is going to focus on Android 4.4 in a “clean” fashion.

In other words, the first KitKat AOKP build will actually be a “nearly barebones” AOSP ROM, with more AOKP features expected to arrive soon after that first release. Nightlies for KitKat are expected to arrive “soon.”

Speaking of a launch date, there isn’t one available just yet, so “soon” could mean just about anything.

CyanogenMod

We already know that the CyanogenMod team has started work on CyanogenMod 11, and the team has provided more details in a post on its website.

But a release date for CM11 is not available yet, and there’s no list of devices that will get it either. However, several devices have been named:

The source code for Android 4.4 began its release on October 31st (yay Halloween!). From there, it took us roughly 4 days to get the code whipped up into shape and pushed up to our Github repository, with a manifest to match. […] This milestone also kicked off the bulk of the device bring-up efforts, and we are already seeing good results. Just to showcase a few: Xperia T, HTCOne, S4 Mini, Galaxy Tab, Nexus 10, Skyrocket and many more (yes, including the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (12/13) and Nexus 5).

Furthermore, the team said that “just because KitKat is touted as being better for lower RAM devices, doesn’t mean [they’ll] be bringing back support for devices that [they’ve] dropped in the past.”

However, the good news is that CM11 nightlies are expected by the end of this month, with an “unofficial alpha” already started by “individual maintainers.”

OmniROM

OmniROM is one of the newest players in the Android custom ROM game, and the team has KitKat plans for you.

In fact, “experimental” KitKat Omni versions are already available for the Galaxy Note, Galaxy S3, Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, LG Optimus G, Galaxy S2, OPPO Find 5, Xperia T, with “many more” to come in the future.

The team has also detailed some of the features that will be available in Omni 4.4 – here’s a list:

• Our universal, open source Omni Installer (which actually already works with a couple devices)
• A lightweight, and fully open and secure, OTA system
• More customization… Than what you ever could think of
• Never-before-seen security features (deniable PIN, NFC challenge unlock, different encrypted locations…)
• Multi-workspace
• OmniLink, an open interface for multiple backend providers of various services (it’s cooler than it sounds)
• More (useful) audio filters in DSP Manager to enhance your audio experience
• Roadrunner mode
• Non-intrusive call notification
• Stock SMS app enhancements
• Stock Dialer app enhancements
• Daydream enhancements

Paranoid Android

Paranoid Android has already released its first AOSP builds for KitKat, and just like AOKP, the team is “starting over with a pure AOSP base” for its KitKat ROM, and “incrementally adding custom functionality.

A release date for the updated Paranoid Android ROM is not available at this time, but the team did say that it will try to offer users an “as close to stock as possible” experience.

Wrap up

While we wait for these ROMs to be released, we’ll remind you that unofficial KitKat ports are already available for various smartphones and tablets, with the list including the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2012 and 2013 models), Galaxy Nexus, HTC One and Xperia Z.

That said, we’re not going to advise you to install any custom ROMs on your hardware, and we’ll also remind you that you’re going to be the only person responsible for whatever happens with your devices during such procedures.

What KitKat-based custom ROM are you looking forward to install on your devices?