History
In 2017, XDA Developer jhenrique09 started an experimental project for a custom ROM that mimics the software experience of the Google Pixel lineup. [3]
In June 2021, Downloads moved to Storj cloud storage [9]
On February 29, 2024, The project announced the release of PE 14, while mentioning the reduction of involvement from the founder, jhenrique09, as the reason of release delay. The core team was reorganized for the release. [2]
On April 10, 2024, Pixel Experience ROM development officially stopped, according to the founder José Henrique. While older versions remain available, the project is no longer actively maintained. [10] [11]
Features
Pixel Experience featured monthly Android security patches. [6]
Pixel Experience was designed to mimic the user interface of Google Pixel phones, and included Pixel exclusive features that are not available on stock Android, such as Pixel Boot Animation, Pixel setup, Pixel Launcher (with round icon support), Pixel Live Wallpapers, Pixel Themes, icons, fonts, Pixel Camera (on some devices), Pixel dialer, Pixel Recorder, Pixel Sound, Google Assistant Pixel, etc. [3] [4] [6] [12]
Users also had options to customize the status bar, lock screen, theme, icon shape, font, clock/date format, icon size, notification logos, brightness slider position, accent color to personalize the home screen, install custom fonts and use mods. Multiple pre-installed themes and icon packs were also available. [6]
Plus variant
An official Plus variant had additional functionality: [3] [8]
- Per-app volume settings
- Network traffic monitor
- Notch hiding support
- UI enhancements
- Additional gestures (such as 3-finger swipe for screenshot)
- LiveDisplay panel, for tweaking color profile, display mode, reading mode, and color calibration
- More granular customizability including modifying status bar icons, volume and power button cutomization, lock screen cutomizations
- Screen recorder
- Custom screenshot: take screenshot selecting any part of the screen
- Caffeine: temporarily disable screen lock & sleep mode
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Bootloader unlocking is the process of disabling the bootloader security that makes secure boot possible. It can make advanced customizations possible, such as installing custom firmware. On smartphones, this can be a custom Android distribution or another mobile operating system. Some bootloaders are not locked at all and some are locked, but can be unlocked with a command or with assistance from the manufacturer. Some do not include an unlocking method and can only be unlocked through a software exploit.
