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Using a Kobo e-reader

I have a Kobo Aura H20 e-reader.

Being waterproof is definitely an advantage - I once had a water-bottle empty itself in my backpack which had the Kobo. Any other device would not have survived this.

If I was to upgrade, my current pick would be the ClaraBW as this too is waterproof, and is user repairable!

File format(s)

One of the benefits of the Kobo platform is that it directly supports a range of file types, including the defacto standard epub – unlike the Kindle which only supports Amazon’s own proprietary format.

A Kobo does support an enhanced format – kepub – that provides some additional benefits.

If you are using Calibre to manage your ebook library, and I highly recommend you do, there is a straight-forward way to do this.

Per this Reddit comment you can install the KoboTouchExtended plugin which will automatically convert an epub to kepub when it syncs the book onto your device.

Adobe Digital Editions

This software was giving me grief. I found a forum post that indicated it could have been a Digital Editions version compatiblituy issue and so I downloaded the recommended v2.0.1. But that threw an error. I then discovered that Kobo points to v3.0 so I downloaded and installed that direct link. Another error. This time it was an activation issue that Adobe address, so you can re-authorize your Digital Editions and then you are able to download the content, and after copying it, your Kobo will be able to view it - yay!

Firmware

New firmware that either fixes issues or adds functionality is made available by Kobo group sporadically.

The forums have a forum thread and now a wiki page with links to the various versions and variants for their devices which enables you to effectively ‘roll-back’ to an older version should the need arise.

From the wiki, download the original firmware and then click on the patching link.

Patches and customisation

  • This thread details a variety of patches that can bee applied to fix, enhance and unlock certain features (it is named Metazoa)

  • And this thread describes many tweaks and hacks for the ecosystem.

DRM

A good place to get acquainted with ebooks and DRM is Apprentice Alf’s blog, particularly this introductory guide

KFX

Pocket