Top 3 Custom ROMs for HTC Explorer/Pico

Its quite a time since HTC Explorer came out – loaded  with android 2.3.5 gingerbread on a sense 3.5  with a 3.2 inch hvga screen,600mhz , arm v7 cpu ,adreno 200 gpu and too add a lit tang a 512 mb ram and rom.Being strong on the hardware side it was expected to have a series of custom roms but unfortunately first few months it did not have any roms and later ,a modified stock  rom.But bad days had to go and good ones had to come. RESULT- a variety of roms for the little explorer have kicked in , and so here goes a list of TOP 3 custom roms for HTC Explorer a.k.a pico and all those top 3 are made by the xda recognized developer sakindia123.

3.Cyanogenmod 7.2 -This was probably the day saver for htc explorer.With this, the power of cyanogen came into explorer.Its quite fast and stable but sadly doesn’t have camera and few bugs are still prevelant and runs on Android 2.3 gingerbread.

Features

-Works on Android 2.3 Gingerbread

What Works-
– WiFi
– Hardware acceleration
– RIL
– GPS
– Audio
– Usb Mass Storage
– Bluetooth
– USB Tethering
– Fm Radio

What Doesnt work-
– Camera
– Phone sometimes reboots when playing videos(use 3rd party apps)

2.Cyanogenmod 9.1 – What can we say ! Its a legendary build ! Within 4 weeks from the first build it has almost everything working including the camera , a few bugs are still left like HQ video and video recording, but these are minor bugs and the rom is extraordinarily stable and after all it is ICS!

    

Features

-Runs on Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4.

What Works

– Audio
– FM Radio(Use Spirit FM from Play Store)
– Hardware Acceleration
– RIL
– Bluetooth
– Wifi
– GPS
– Video
– Camera
– USB Tethering(3rd party app Works)
– Voice Search

What Doesnt Work
– Video Recording(3rd party app may work)
– HQ Videos stutter a bit

1.Evervolv ICS for HTC explorer

It is almost the same as cm 9.1 (even the bugs are same !)but it is extremely fast, even faster than cm 9 and light weight only 87 mb. These features make it #1 ROM in our list!

  

Features

Same as CM9 like this too Runs on Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4.

What Works

– Audio
– FM Radio(Use Spirit FM from Play Store)
– Hardware Acceleration
– RIL
– Bluetooth
– Wifi
– GPS
– Video
– Camera(Taking Pictures)
– USB Tethering(3rd party app WORKS)
– Voice Search(It was a bug ! )

What Doesnt Work
– Video Recording(3rd party app may work)
– HQ Videos stutter a bit

Check out this video of Evervolv ROM 

Installation Process for Cyanogenmod 7.2  , cyanogenmod 9.1   

Disclaimer : Do It At Your Own Risk!

1. Download required files and updates from below :

• Cyanogenmod 7.2 or cyanogenmod 9.1
• Latest Google apps for Ginger bread Or  ICS.

1. Copy the downloaded files to the (Root directory of) your sd-card.
2. Reboot your device to Custom Revovery (Press Home + Power Button).
3. [Optional but, Recommended] Do a Nandroid Backup of your current ROM.
   
4. Now from recovery main menu and select Wipe Data option.
5. Confirm data wipe by selecting Yes.
6. Now flash this the rom you have downloaded (it is a zip file)  using clockwork mod recovery. Follow these steps :
   • Choose Install Zip From Sd Card option.
   • Select Choose Zip From SD Card option.
   • Now select the rom you  downloaded earlier.
   • Confirm the installation and wait till the rom is installed on you handset.
7. Flash Latest Google apps  for GB or ICS  in CWM recovery.This one has working Google Now and voice search!
   • Choose Install Zip From Sd Card option.
8. Select Choose Zip From SD Card and the rom is installed on you handset.
9. Reboot and enjoy!

Hope you agree with our top three list and liked it and yes!do not forget to flash these on your explorer else you would be missing out on the opportunity of unleashing the beast in your pico!