Should you consider Kindle because the iPhone of the eReader world, Kobo is Android. It’s a lot simpler to customise and modify a Kobo to your liking. This was very obvious once I not too long ago dusted off my 13-year-old Kobo and effortlessly breathed new life into it.
Kobo eReaders have loads of proprietary software program and providers. Nonetheless, like an Android telephone, you’re not so compelled to make use of what comes inventory on the system. I made a decision that I didn’t need to use Kobo’s software program in any respect, and now my historical eReader is healthier than a brand new Kindle.
Kobo eReaders are tremendous simple to “jailbreak”
It’s not likely even jailbreaking
The Kobo eReader I’ve is an Aura HD from all the best way again in 2013. Upon powering it up for the primary time in no less than six years, I used to be shocked to find it’s nonetheless receiving updates (good job, Kobo). Regardless of the software program updates, it nonetheless feels each bit like a tool that got here out earlier than the Galaxy Be aware 4.
Now, this isn’t the one previous eReader in my arsenal. Final yr, I jailbroke my 10-year-old Kindle Paperwhite—the eReader I upgraded to from my Kobo. That course of was much easier than I expected, nevertheless it was a real jailbreak that required some effort. That was very a lot not the case with the Aura HD.
As with my Kindle, the purpose was to put in a customized launcher referred to as KOReader. Nonetheless, for Kobo units, there’s no “jailbreaking” required. I merely unzipped a few recordsdata and ran an installer. I had KOReader up and working in simply a few minutes, and I’ve discovered it to be extra user-friendly on the Kobo, too.
The method is extraordinarily simple in case your Kobo is working firmware model 4.17 or newer. Since my 2013 mannequin is on 4.38, I assume to overwhelming majority of Kobo eReaders qualify. Check out the installation instructions to get KOReader in your Kobo—I’ll share why you may need to.
Rejuvenating my Kobo with KOReader
Begin with customization
The very first thing I needed to repair was darkish mode. Newer Kobo eReaders help darkish mode, however previous fashions like my Aura HD don’t. This can be a very simple factor to allow with KOReader, and it’s simply the tip of the iceberg with regards to customization.
One other simple tweak is basically absolutely eradicating the margins to maximise web page measurement. This can be a little factor that at all times irritated me about inventory software program. Subsequent, I absolutely custom-made the knowledge and stats that seem within the standing bar and progress bar whereas studying. For instance, I favor to have the progress bar symbolize the present chapter reasonably than the complete e book.
Plugins are the place the true magic occurs
I may go on and on about customization choices, however the subsequent smartest thing about KOReader is plugins. That is the place you may actually elevate even the oldest eReaders.
As somebody who refuses to purchase eBooks from Amazon, transferring them to my eReader has at all times been a ache level. Fortunately, KOReader provides several native methods for transferring recordsdata, however I went with the Local Send plugin. It permits me to painlessly ship eBooks from my Android telephone to my Kobo.
I need to confess I’ve saved the very best for final, no less than for my functions. The primary purpose why I couldn’t keep on with KOReader on my Kindle was the power to sync studying progress. The Kindle app permits you to sync progress even when the eBook wasn’t bought from Amazon, and I discovered that to be very useful. I lastly discovered an answer for KOReader: Readest.
Readest is a free and open-source eBook reader app that’s out there for Android, iPhone, Home windows, Mac, and Linux. It’s a fantastic app on it’s personal, however what lead me to it was the KOReader plugin. All I needed to do was sign up on my telephone and the Kobo, be sure each units have the identical eBook file, and my progress is synced. Lastly! This can be a game-changer for me.
Wait, is my historical Kobo now my greatest eReader?
I’ll be trustworthy, once I began this venture, I used to be simply hoping to get a practical backup eReader—or possibly a tool for my son to make use of. Now, with the addition of Native Ship and Readest plugins, I feel that is truly my favourite eReader. Certain, I may get all this setup with KOReader on a Kindle, too, however I admire how simple it was with the Kobo. I’d genuinely use this over a brand-new Kindle. Do not hand over in your previous eReader!
Kobo vs. Kindle: How Does the Kindle Alternative Stack Up?
Amazon’s Kindle has dominated the eReader area for the previous decade—after which some—however there are various different corporations providing nice options. Rakuten’s Kobo is one in every of Kindle’s largest opponents, however how does it stack up in opposition to the Amazon large?
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