Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Kobo can run apps now

bandarlabs.github.io

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 224 posts

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#41

Post by the-grump »

post-it wrote: post #37
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?

0 issues using nickelmenu out of the box.

I recommend enabling ssh (native kobo feature) so it's easier to modify the config without needing to plug in, though obviously this is optional.

If you connect over SSH, I would recommend not touching system files. The new kobos don't have a removable SD card so if you corrupt the system files and it can't boot, you need to either do some PCB surgery or get a new mainboard.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#42

Post by trencedamp »

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…

Are there any writing apps? Any way to connect a Bluetooth keyboard? (Or USB)

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#43

Post by AdmiralAsshat »

Artgor wrote: post #28

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

There's a contingent of enthusiasts who, once they find out a device runs Linux or can run Linux, seems determined to expose a terminal on it. I don't know why someone needs to SSH into their toaster, but damned if they're not gonna do it, just because they can.

Me personally, I just want a reliable toaster.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#44

Post by the-grump »

trencedamp wrote: post #42
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…

Are there any writing apps? Any way to connect a Bluetooth keyboard? (Or USB)

KOReader probably lets you edit text files but I only use my kobo to read. Have not tried connecting any external devices.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#45

Post by RattlesnakeJake »

AdmiralAsshat wrote: post #43
Artgor wrote: post #28

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

There's a contingent of enthusiasts who, once they find out a device runs Linux or can run Linux, seems determined to expose a terminal on it. I don't know why someone needs to SSH into their toaster, but damned if they're not gonna do it, just because they can. Me personally, I just want a reliable toaster.

I always assume it's more for the challenge and accomplishment than anything practical. The results are always neat, but rarely anything you'd actually use for general-purpose computing.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#47

Post by the-grump »

hamdingers wrote: post #38
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.

I encounter freezes mostly when I enable Bluetooth/wifi. Haven't tried on a multi-core kobo but I imagine the UI thread can keep running there.

When reading, agree on it being more than sufficient.

My recommendation is partially because the price can be identical when they have a sale. That was the case when I got a BW--it was the same price as the color.

I should also mention I run quite a few things on my kobo: boringtun to connect to my home network, a fetcher to sync my books and feeds, Plato and its article fetcher whenever I update my Wallabag articles. I'm beyond pleased with my reader experience. The extra processing power would just be icing on the cake.

Re: Kobo can run apps now

#49

Post by podgietaru »

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…

Also NickelHook, which adds the native hooks into the Nickel application. I used it for intercepting http calls previously
Post reply on HN