Gaming device OS with controller UI and hardware controls

Problem

An Android gaming handheld needed an OS tailored for gaming instead of a standard phone experience. This meant a custom setup flow that pre-configured gaming apps, a controller friendly UI throughout the system, and platform level controls for gaming hardware features like fans, performance profiles, controller mappings, and RGB lighting.

Work

Custom setup and provisioning:

• Modified the out-of-box setup flow to install and configure required gaming apps automatically
• Built provisioning system to get the device game ready without manual user configuration
• Ensured setup worked smoothly with controller input instead of touch

Controller optimized UI:

• Patched SystemUI elements to be navigable and usable with a game controller
• Modified Settings app for better controller navigation and visibility on a gaming form factor
• Redesigned UI elements that assumed touch input to work naturally with Dpad and buttons

Gaming hardware controls:

• Added UI for fan speed control and monitoring
• Implemented performance profile switching (power saving, balanced, performance modes)
• Built controller layout configuration interface
• Created RGB lighting controls for the device's LED system
• Exposed these hardware features through custom Settings panels and quick access toggles

Treble compliant implementation:

• Kept all modifications in the system partition using Project Treble architecture
• Left the Unisoc vendor partition untouched for easier updates and maintenance
• Ensured the gaming features worked cleanly on top of the stock vendor implementation

Result

The gaming device shipped with an Android experience optimized for handheld gaming. Users got a controller first interface, automatic game setup, and direct control over gaming hardware features without needing to dig through phone oriented settings.

Deliverables

• Custom system image with gaming focused modifications (vendor partition unchanged)
• Modified setup flow with app provisioning
• Controller optimized SystemUI and Settings app
• Gaming hardware control UI (fan, performance, controller, RGB)
• Treble compliant implementation documentation