Help me find: Page-turn buttons & sideloading

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

There is, but you have to register the device with Kobo to activate it at all.

You do?

[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

There is, but you have to register the device with Kobo to activate it at all.

As Sirtel said, it doesn't really matter since Kobo doesn't make any models you're interested in right now, but this isn't true. Power on the Kobo, connect it to your PC via USB when it asks you to connect to Wi-Fi for setup, open KoboeReader/.kobo/Kobo/Kobo eReader.conf in a text editor, add SideloadedMode=true under the ApplicationPreferences section, save the file, eject the Kobo, and use the power button to reboot it. You'll reboot to "My Books" and totally bypass registration permanently.

[Kindleing]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

Power on the Kobo, connect it to your PC via USB when it asks you to connect to Wi-Fi for setup, open KoboeReader/.kobo/Kobo/Kobo eReader.conf in a text editor, add SideloadedMode=true under the ApplicationPreferences section, save the file, eject the Kobo, and use the power button to reboot it. You'll reboot to "My Books" and totally bypass registration permanently.

I saw in another thread that the bypass feature only works on newer firmware. I don't remember the number, but it was something like 4.31 or thereabouts. I updated my Aura H2O Edition 1 yesterday because it was on firmware 4.15, supposedly too old for the bypass to work. It updated to 4.35.20400, so supposedly if I need to reset it now registration can be bypassed.

Do you know if the newer firmware requirement is accurate? I have another one I haven't updated yet.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The buttons on the 350 are in a terrible location. And all the downsides I mentioned are valid compared to a current Reader. The 350 has way too many compromises to make it worthwhile.

In your opinion it's not worthwhile. I don't agree with you.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I can't find any current 6" Reader with buttons in a good location. So that leaves 7" as the buttons on the Libra 2 are in a good location.

I use the page turn buttons on my 6" PocketBooks all the time. I think the button location is fine. Again, it's not "one size fits all."

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by John F

I thought you didn't have to register Kindles?

Originally Posted by Sirtel

You don't, but then you can't use some features, e.g. collections.

Maybe I'm remembering this wrong, but don't you also lose the dictionary feature without registering?

[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by Kindleing

Do you know if the newer firmware requirement is accurate? I have another one I haven't updated yet.

Sideload mode is indeed a fairly new feature, but I can't tell you which specific firmware introduced it. The MR wiki claims it was 4.31, but it might have been added earlier.

Originally Posted by rcentros

Maybe I'm remembering this wrong, but don't you also lose the dictionary feature without registering?

After a factory reset and enabling sideload mode, you will need to sync one time in order to download any dictionaries you want, but this does not require registration. It does, however, force you to use the latest firmware, since the sync will perform an update, whether you want to or not. You can manually install an older firmware if you want afterwards, as long as you don't go back to a firmware that predates sideload mode.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

As Sirtel said, it doesn't really matter since Kobo doesn't make any models you're interested in right now, but this isn't true. Power on the Kobo, connect it to your PC via USB when it asks you to connect to Wi-Fi for setup, open KoboeReader/.kobo/Kobo/Kobo eReader.conf in a text editor, add SideloadedMode=true under the ApplicationPreferences section, save the file, eject the Kobo, and use the power button to reboot it. You'll reboot to "My Books" and totally bypass registration permanently.

Fake-user@fake-domain used to work fine to "register" a Kobo. Unlike Kindle no payment details needed.

[SomeSteve]

(rcentros provided info and instructions about replacing a Sony PRS-350 battery.)

Originally Posted by rcentros

... reminds me of Mr. Rogers or the old Bob & Ray "Slow Talkers of America" skit — or maybe a combination of both.

I was just talking with somebody a few days ago about Bob and Ray. Haven't thought about them in years.

Many thanks for the information.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

You really think the extra inch is enough to justify the higher price and worse battery life, even if you don't use any of the writing features?

Yes.


I didn't think it would be, but after buying one, it did not take long for it to be my primary reader, the one I user more than 90% of the time. And I don't even own a stylus

[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Fake-user@fake-domain used to work fine to "register" a Kobo.

I've seen you say this several times now. What's your point? Using a fake e-mail address to register would be a decent compromise for the privacy conscious if Kobo didn't provide a superior way to disable registration entirely... which it does.

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

I didn't think it would be, but after buying one, it did not take long for it to be my primary reader, the one I user more than 90% of the time.

Do you find the extra layers of plastic in the flush screen reduce clarity compared to the recessed screen of smaller readers? I've seen that complaint in some reviews, and if Kobo made a plain 8" reader with a recessed screen, I probably would have bought it over the Libra.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

I've seen you say this several times now. What's your point? Using a fake e-mail address to register would be a decent compromise for the privacy conscious

While most of mine have the edited configuration, sideLoadedMode=true, the fake email gives you sync and the home screen. Secondly it's simpler, but I don't believe it's an issue using a real email address anyway.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

Do you find the extra layers of plastic in the flush screen reduce clarity compared to the recessed screen of smaller readers? I've seen that complaint in some reviews, and if Kobo made a plain 8" reader with a recessed screen, I probably would have bought it over the Libra.

A bit, but the difference is minor, IMO. Compared side by side, the Libra 2 is sharper, but not by much.

The previous Libra (H2O) had pretty poor contrast. It was not a particularly good screen, even though it was recessed.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

Do you find the extra layers of plastic in the flush screen reduce clarity compared to the recessed screen of smaller readers? I've seen that complaint in some reviews, and if Kobo made a plain 8" reader with a recessed screen, I probably would have bought it over the Libra.

Some flush screens may not have extra layers. The Kindle PW4 flush screen is poorer than the PW3 and Kobos for ambient brightness and clarity. I see no issue with Sage vs original Libra or Libra 2.

I took apart a Sage (it was fine afterwards) and the entire front and display panel seemed like one unit.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Some flush screens may not have extra layers. The Kindle PW4 flush screen is poorer than the PW3 and Kobos for ambient brightness and clarity. I see no issue with Sage vs original Libra or Libra 2.

And some recessed screens can be worse than some flush screens. My original Libra was worse than my Oasis 3 and the Sage both.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

A bit, but the difference is minor, IMO. Compared side by side, the Libra 2 is sharper, but not by much.

The previous Libra (H2O) had pretty poor contrast. It was not a particularly good screen, even though it was recessed.

No contrast or sharpness difference between my original Libra and my Libra 2. Ambient light, front light off. Just checked.

Perhaps there is manufacturing variations?