The Paranoid Android team today released the first Android 5.1 based builds of their ROM for Nexus devices. 

The builds are based on the very latest AOSP release of Lollipop (Android 5.1.1_r5) and includes most, if not all, the features that the ROM is known for. This includes:

• App Ops
• Quick Settings customisations
• Theme Engine
• Advanced Power Menu
• Immersive Mode
• Wi-Fi calling on T-Mobile (Nexus 6 only)
• VoLTE on T-Mobile and Verizon (Nexus 6 only)

While not much, these features are usually what most users crave for in a custom ROM. The inclusion of Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE are welcome additions and make PA among the very few ROMs available for download to support this feature.

For now, Android 5.1 based Paranoid Android builds are only available for the Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 9 and the Nexus 7 (2012/2013). Since the PA team does not have access to other Nexus devices, they are unable to release builds for them. However, they are looking for testers with access to unsupported devices so that their PA 5.1 builds can be tested prior to being made available for download.

Additionally, the lack of manpower has forced the Paranoid Android team to switch from their weekly release cycle to a “release when appropriate” schedule. They are also looking for interested developers to join their team, so if you are interested in developing a custom ROM, make sure to shoot an email to the PA team.

Most of the developers of the Paranoid Android team was hired by OnePlus to work on OxygenOS ROM. The first build of the ROM for the handset was pretty barebones and was based on KitKat. An update to Lollipop for the ROM is scheduled to release after the OnePlus 2 is released.