The Paranoid Android team today released the first beta of version 4.4 of their ROM that contains a number of bug-fixes, improvements and a brand new theme engine.

The theme engine has been ported from CyanogenMod 11 and give users the option to customize nearly every aspect of the OS by installing community made themes.

The release also includes the final version of Hover, which is PA’s team own take on a new notification system for Android. Sadly, the latest beta is still based on Android 4.4.2, but considering that Android 4.4.3 does not really bring any major changes, it should not bother many users.

The full change-log of the update is as follows:

General
– Translated into over 30 languages!
– Backported numerous fixes from AOSP master.
– Improved quicksettings.
– Removed lockscreen blur feature in favor of custom lockscreen background from Theme Engine (it will come back as a component of theme engine in the future).

Theme Engine
– Bring full CM11 theme engine. (First AOSP based ROM!!)
– WARNING: Home button gets refreshed only after reboot or by force killing SystemUI  if you want to  a avoid reboot. Will be fixed in next build.

Hover
– Stable status!!
– Removed Jank (its a technical term)
– Fixed remaining bugs, including spam and invisible notifications.
– Fully working and improved inCallUi.
– Restored default swipe to dismiss behavior. An upcoming swipe up gesture will let you dismiss hover as was replacing the old behavior.

Pie/Immersive
– Fixed immersive API Thanks for the developers who helped diagnose the issue
– Vastly improved triggering, and allow you to trigger from any area on the edge on tablets.
– Pie now rotates like the navBar (will appear on short edge).
– Enabled pie only on immersive mode enabled by quick settings tlie (not in app immersive).
– Fixed AOSP immersive bug issue where apps would register a touch when swiping statusBar and/or navBar.
– Fixed numerous freezes.

The Paranoid Android team recommends users to do a clean wipe before installing this ROM, but if you are feeling bold enough you can try a dirty flash. The latest PA builds can be downloaded from here.