Can I convert a Tolino into a kobo?

[Jane Eyre]

Hi, I'm back! You don't get rid of me
A strange idea crossed my mind.
Is it technically possible to change Tolino's original firmware into a kobo?
I have an old T.Vision 2 that nobody in the house use anymore..all considered, if Tolino could become compatible with kobo epub format, reading on it would be a better experience.

Don't you think?

[rantanplan]

All devices that receive the latest update, and we don't know which ones these will be, will essentially use the Kobo software. I've even found an option in the dev-menu to completely switch to Kobo mode.

However, I guess that only the devices that were already made by Kobo will receive the latest update and the Vision 2 was made by T-Systems, IIRC.

[Terisa de morgan]

Not adding information as I cannot remove the message....

[unpaws]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

I've even found an option in the dev-menu to completely switch to Kobo mode.

How do I actually activate this? devmodeon in the search bar does nothing, and I would love to use NickelMenu and some of those other tools out there.

[Gymnar]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

All devices that receive the latest update, and we don't know which ones these will be, will essentially use the Kobo software. I've even found an option in the dev-menu to completely switch to Kobo mode.

However, I guess that only the devices that were already made by Kobo will receive the latest update and the Vision 2 was made by T-Systems, IIRC.

That option worked for my tolino vision color, see here for the process: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...&postcount=176

[unpaws]

Thank you Gymnar for the link. I feel like I'm missing the basics though:

1. Is the tolino-qt6-recovery-5.0.175773.zip file the same as the tolino-qt6-update-5.0.175773.zip? If not, where do I get the recovery file?
2. How do I install this file? I read somewhere that update.tar goes into the tolino's root directory, but if I do that, nothing happens. Edit: Nevermind, placing update.tar into the .kobo directory makes the reader reboot.

Edit: Let's see if this is working now. I'll report back

[unpaws]

Okay, so this is the process I followed on my tolino Vision Colour, based on the instructions in https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...postcount=176:

• On https://mytolino.de/software-updates-tolino-ereader/, grab the tolino-qt6-recovery-5.0.175773 update.tar (Kobo 12 for the tolino Shine Color) and tolino-qt6-update-5.1.186250 update.tar (Kobo 11 for the tolino Vision Color)
• Connect the reader to your PC (confirm the connection when the reader prompts you to) and place the recovery update.tar inside the ".kobo" directory. Then eject the reader, disconnect the USB cable and wait for the reader to reboot.
• Enable developer mode (enter "devmodeon" into the reader's search box), then open the settings and search for the "Change to Kobo" setting.
  (For me, the developer settings popped right up after enabling the developer mode. Not sure if this is intentional.)
• Activate your "Kobo" device as prompted by the reader.
• Connect the reader to your PC as before, this time use the update update.tar. Copy file, eject, disconnect, and wait for the reboot.

Changing to Kobo mode resets the device and removes all data. Also, this did not enable me to install NickelMenu or the likes, unfortunately.

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by unpaws

Changing to Kobo mode resets the device and removes all data. Also, this did not enable me to install NickelMenu or the likes, unfortunately.

Unsurprising, as the latest Kobo models also don't support NickelMenu. Kobo has changed the update delivery method. NickelMenu hasn't caught up for now.

Just out of curiosity, why didn't you buy a "proper" Kobo in the first place?

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

Unsurprising, as the latest Kobo models also don't support NickelMenu. Kobo has changed the update delivery method. NickelMenu hasn't caught up for now.

Odd. I'm running NickelMenu on a Kobo Libra Colour 4.40.23081 without issue. Can you explain what the issues you found with running NickelMenu on a Kobo ereader running 4.xx firmware?

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Odd. I'm running NickelMenu on a Kobo Libra Colour 4.40.23081 without issue. Can you explain what the issues you found with running NickelMenu on a Kobo ereader running 4.xx firmware?

Apparently, my information is outdated. I was under the impression that, since switching to the new diff-based .tar updates nickelmenu could no longer be installed. I'm sorry for the misinformation :-/

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

Apparently, my information is outdated. I was under the impression that, since switching to the new diff-based .tar updates nickelmenu could no longer be installed. I'm sorry for the misinformation :-/

Your information is correct for the 5. firmware but Kobo is still shipping the 4. firmware on their Kobo branded devices. Once they merge the Kobo and tolino firmware, I suspect a lot of rewriting is going to be needed.

[ilovebooks]

Originally Posted by unpaws

Okay, so this is the process I followed on my tolino Vision Colour, based on the instructions in https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...postcount=176:

• On https://mytolino.de/software-updates-tolino-ereader/, grab the tolino-qt6-recovery-5.0.175773 update.tar (Kobo 12 for the tolino Shine Color) and tolino-qt6-update-5.1.186250 update.tar (Kobo 11 for the tolino Vision Color)
• Connect the reader to your PC (confirm the connection when the reader prompts you to) and place the recovery update.tar inside the ".kobo" directory. Then eject the reader, disconnect the USB cable and wait for the reader to reboot.
• Enable developer mode (enter "devmodeon" into the reader's search box), then open the settings and search for the "Change to Kobo" setting.
  (For me, the developer settings popped right up after enabling the developer mode. Not sure if this is intentional.)
• Activate your "Kobo" device as prompted by the reader.
• Connect the reader to your PC as before, this time use the update update.tar. Copy file, eject, disconnect, and wait for the reboot.

Changing to Kobo mode resets the device and removes all data. Also, this did not enable me to install NickelMenu or the likes, unfortunately.

it worked like a charm and i am also able to sideload my old kindle books here.

[Laen]

jepp i switched my tolino vision color to kobo libra color settings too

[Redundantant]

Hello, good folk!

Might I ask, if a Tolino completely becomes a Kobo by switching the mode in the dev options?

From what I understood, the underlying firmware should become the same over time, at least it looks like that at the moment. But there are also the big warnings in the OP of firmware threads that tell you not to attempt to install the firmware on its twin.
That I get, because verification or update processes might still differ.
But is there more that could differentiate the two?
If I switch the Tolino to Kobo, does that last through updates? (I know there's downgrading if dev mode is missing on the newer versions.)

My Shine 4 died out of the blue the other day, so I'm looking for a replacement.
Right now, I'm contemplating buying a Clara BW instead of a Shine 5 to be sure.
But then again, the Clara is notably more expensive and I'd hate to waste money. ;D
Should I really? It's mostly branding or artificial limitations like installation of additional software I'm worried about. I rather experience the fewest of both.

(I'm confident and fine with flashing or tinkering with the firmware or recovery options.)


Well, is there any justification I'm missing to buy the more expensive Clara, if I plan to sideload most of my books (and possibly using something like KOReader in the future) anyway?

Thanks in advance!

[Laen]

Originally Posted by Redundantant

Hello, good folk!

Might I ask, if a Tolino completely becomes a Kobo by switching the mode in the dev options?

From what I understood, the underlying firmware should become the same over time, at least it looks like that at the moment. But there are also the big warnings in the OP of firmware threads that tell you not to attempt to install the firmware on its twin.
That I get, because verification or update processes might still differ.
But is there more that could differentiate the two?
If I switch the Tolino to Kobo, does that last through updates? (I know there's downgrading if dev mode is missing on the newer versions.)

My Shine 4 died out of the blue the other day, so I'm looking for a replacement.
Right now, I'm contemplating buying a Clara BW instead of a Shine 5 to be sure.
But then again, the Clara is notably more expensive and I'd hate to waste money. ;D
Should I really? It's mostly branding or artificial limitations like installation of additional software I'm worried about. I rather experience the fewest of both.

(I'm confident and fine with flashing or tinkering with the firmware or recovery options.)


Well, is there any justification I'm missing to buy the more expensive Clara, if I plan to sideload most of my books (and possibly using something like KOReader in the future) anyway?

Thanks in advance!

I test on shine 5, shine color and vision Color the switching to kobo.
It only works on Firmware 5.0.175773.
Any newer Firmware doesnt show the development Menü.
The Firmware was in the Kobo settings even after the newest Kobo Update.
Login in in the Kobo account works without problem.
What i found is to make a second Factory Reset after Switching because then the reader shows all full features under Kobo.

Adding Software? You mean like Nickelmenu or Koreader?
Thats the work of the Programmer to support newer Firmwares.

Sideload over calibre works without problems