Kobo can run apps now • Hacker News Board

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#31

Post by oynqr » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:20 PM UTC

sa-code wrote: post #10

Would this also work on a Tolino?

The Tolino Shine 5 is the same hardware. You can even install the kobo firmware.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#32

Post by the-grump » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:20 PM UTC

rglover wrote: post #5

Wow. This is rad, well done. I've been trying to find an alt OS for my Clara Colour and this looks great. Being able to author apps means I can finally add a way to review my highlights/quotes and search them with ease. Edit: damn, just saw the BW note. It looks like the Clara Colour would be blocked by Cobalt...

You can already do that. Look into NickelMenu.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#33

Post by unethical_ban » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:20 PM UTC

Artgor wrote: post #28

Isn't the whole point of Kindle (or other ebook readers) being able to read books without distractions?

That's what I want from my e-reader device too. Yet being able to turn a $140 e-ink tablet into a general purpose tool is really neat.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#34

Post by RattlesnakeJake » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:21 PM UTC

baal80spam wrote: post #3

pmkary wrote: post #2

As a Kindle owner; I'm very jealous.

I'm not. I want my Kindle to do ONE job well, not turn into another multi-purpose device.

I still miss the UI on my old Kindle Keyboard, which only showed the book list without an attempt at curation/upselling.

I can simulate it by staying on the "Library" tab, but it tends to forget halfway frequently.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#35

Post by erelong » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:22 PM UTC

Noting again that postmarketos exists and works on some kobos (and potentially could be ported to more?)

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#36

Post by wbxp99 » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:25 PM UTC

>These are photographs of the device, not simulator captures

Thanks for the clarification Claude

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#37

Post by post-it » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:26 PM UTC

the-grump wrote: post #29

For the unaware, there is an existing solution that integrates with Kobo's native software (Nickel). It has been maintained for years, and it supports every Kobo AFAIK. It's called NickelMenu, and it's great. I'm in the Kobo ecosystem because of NickelMenu and Plato. One note if you're thinking about getting a kobo due its relative openness: consider getting a two-core device. I did not do my homework and got a Clara…

I also have the Clara BW and haven't done any modding on it but it's been on my todo list. Would you be willing to briefly describe issues you've run into with it?

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#38

Post by hamdingers » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:26 PM UTC

the-grump wrote: post #29

For the unaware, there is an existing solution that integrates with Kobo's native software (Nickel). It has been maintained for years, and it supports every Kobo AFAIK. It's called NickelMenu, and it's great. I'm in the Kobo ecosystem because of NickelMenu and Plato. One note if you're thinking about getting a kobo due its relative openness: consider getting a two-core device. I did not do my homework and got a Clara…

What does the two-core CPU get you? I'm very satisfied with my BW with KOReader, haven't noticed any shortcomings but I only read books on it.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#39

Post by QwenGlazer9000 » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:28 PM UTC

For most of the use cases I would need an app for, koreader's plugin system works just fine for it. You'd be surprised the gems you can find for koreader.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#40

Post by kavith » Fri, Aug 21, 2026, 6:28 PM UTC

rglover wrote: post #5

Wow. This is rad, well done. I've been trying to find an alt OS for my Clara Colour and this looks great. Being able to author apps means I can finally add a way to review my highlights/quotes and search them with ease. Edit: damn, just saw the BW note. It looks like the Clara Colour would be blocked by Cobalt...

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