A Proper Web Browser

kenoi · 08-05-2013, 11:18 AM

Out of curiosity, has anyone here succeeded in getting a proper web browser (such as Chromium or Firefox, or even Opera) running on a Kobo Linux (Glo/Touch/Mini) device? Any successful attempts at compiling Firefox Mobile, for example?

sysKin · 08-06-2013, 01:26 AM

I remember talk about running Opera, so, knowing what to look for, I found it: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=203965

kenoi · 08-06-2013, 03:59 AM

Thanks sysKin! That thread is quite old, but I'm thinking either Firefox Mobile (Fennec) or QtWeb could work! Either one is better than the browser bundled with Kobo -- which doesn't even support password prompts.

kenoi · 08-06-2013, 04:03 AM

Here are instructions on how to compile Firefox Mobile on a Linux computer, for reference:

http://blog.mozilla.org/nnethercote/...sktop-machine/

https://wiki.mozilla.org/Mobile/Build/Fennec

I think will give it a shot. This is my first time compiling for Kobo, though... Any advice on how to approach this?

What distro is Kobo based on, and what common dependencies is it missing, if any?

hawhill · 08-06-2013, 04:12 AM

I guess it is not based on any general distribution at all but rather compiled in something akin to "buildroot" or similar.

You'll probably miss everything that would do UI/GFX stuff - except if that happens to be Qt. But that won't certainly be the case for Firefox/Mozilla - they've always been directed towards GTK (though Fennec will certainly be different). UI/GFX will probably be the hard part.

I'm pretty much interested in this, though. Not much spare time, though, but interested enough to give it a look on the weekend. So I'm interested in what you find and how far you get!

PS: Memory might become a problem, though: https://wiki.mozilla.org/Mobile/Metrics/Tracking

KevinShort · 08-06-2013, 07:50 AM

When I'm compiling software for the Kobo I like to use qemu to emulate a raspberry pi, which uses armhf like the Kobo. That way I don't have to worry about setting up a cross-compiler.

MarekGibek · 08-15-2013, 04:11 AM

Yes. I did it. I successfully run Firefox, Midori, Arora. Didn't try Opera. Chrome crashes on start. From the list I like the Firefox most as it has extensions for easier using with touch. However it is very memory hungry. This is probably not a problem on Aurora HD but on my Kobo Touch I had to turn on swap memory.

Generally I've installed debian jessie (I succeeded with ubuntu 13.04, too) for arm to change Kobo to tablet. Almost all apps are working (games, utils, ...).

I'm planning to describe here in a series of threads how to do it, so please be patient

paola · 08-15-2013, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarekGibek

Yes. I did it. I successfully run Firefox, Midori, Arora. Didn't try Opera. Chrome crashes on start. From the list I like the Firefox most as it has extensions for easier using with touch. However it is very memory hungry. This is probably not a problem on Aurora HD but on my Kobo Touch I had to turn on swap memory.

Generally I've installed debian jessie (I succeeded with ubuntu 13.04, too) for arm to change Kobo to tablet. Almost all apps are working (games, utils, ...).

I'm planning to describe here in a series of threads how to do it, so please be patient

Marek, this is fantastic news, thanks and Karma!

When you start with your threads, if you can remember the poor non-techies when you give instructions, "we" would be extremely grateful!

Markismus · 08-15-2013, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarekGibek

Yes. I did it. I successfully run Firefox,

Generally I've installed debian jessie (I succeeded with ubuntu 13.04, too) for arm to change Kobo to tablet. Almost all apps are working (games, utils, ...).

I'm planning to describe here in a series of threads how to do it, so please be patient

Great! I am looking forward to both the debian jessie and ubuntu installs. I been waiting to try this for weeks now. I have an Aura, so I can give you feedback whether Firefox runs without problems.

MarekGibek · 08-15-2013, 10:59 AM

Paola, it will be strictly technical (we are in developer's corner

), sorry.

However... for non-techies I will prepare SD-card image with preconfigured software. This will be easy to flash and check. But still risky - be warned to always have copy of the working software!

I hope someone will make sure it is working ok with Mini and Aura HD as I cannot test it (I have Kobo Touch). It may not start without problems (changes have been made in kernel).

paola · 08-15-2013, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarekGibek

Paola, it will be strictly technical (we are in developer's corner

), sorry.

fair enough

still, maybe with time this will trickle down to the common people..

Anyway, thanks guys, all you hackers make "our" life simpler (well, eventually!)

yoq · 08-15-2013, 04:19 PM

Sounds great!

Can we still run nickel (or koreader) with the kernel changes or would we have to reboot?

MarekGibek · 08-16-2013, 06:34 AM

Changes in the kernel are compatible with nickel. But you need to shutdown X11 before running nickel - in practice I do it by reboot (you may configure it other way).

This weekend I want to upload sample image for Kobo Touch (may run on Glo too, but you never know). I just need to configure a few things. Prepare 8GB SD card

kenoi · 08-19-2013, 08:08 AM

MarekGibek, it's paramount that your progress is documented and shared. I just bought my Kobo, and already I'm sick of all the limitations it has with the current software.

@Kevinshort, hawhill: Thanks for the tips, guys. I haven't had a lot of time on my hands lately. I'll give it a shot soon enough, but now I'm really interested in Marek's achievement! If we can get proper Linux working on Kobo, that opens up a broad scope of possibilities.

I feel the Kobo's potential for outdoor use is too great for it to be only a reading device. It's a little touch based computer, so let it be a little touch based computer!

Cheers.

MarekGibek · 08-19-2013, 02:54 PM

Yes, the Linux opens unlimited possibilities. The problem is there are almost none x11 applications designed for small screens and touch. I regret that I've failed with porting Android.

08-05-2013, 11:18 AM	#1
kenoi Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	A Proper Web Browser Out of curiosity, has anyone here succeeded in getting a proper web browser (such as Chromium or Firefox, or even Opera) running on a Kobo Linux (Glo/Touch/Mini) device? Any successful attempts at compiling Firefox Mobile, for example?

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08-06-2013, 01:26 AM	#2
sysKin Connoisseur Posts: 56 Karma: 31830 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Australia Device: Aura HD, after a train ate my Glo	I remember talk about running Opera, so, knowing what to look for, I found it: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=203965

08-06-2013, 03:59 AM	#3
kenoi Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	Thanks sysKin! That thread is quite old, but I'm thinking either Firefox Mobile (Fennec) or QtWeb could work! Either one is better than the browser bundled with Kobo -- which doesn't even support password prompts.

08-06-2013, 04:03 AM	#4
kenoi Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	Here are instructions on how to compile Firefox Mobile on a Linux computer, for reference: http://blog.mozilla.org/nnethercote/...sktop-machine/ https://wiki.mozilla.org/Mobile/Build/Fennec I think will give it a shot. This is my first time compiling for Kobo, though... Any advice on how to approach this? What distro is Kobo based on, and what common dependencies is it missing, if any?

08-06-2013, 04:12 AM	#5
hawhill Wizard Posts: 1,379 Karma: 2155307 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Goettingen, Germany Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Mini	I guess it is not based on any general distribution at all but rather compiled in something akin to "buildroot" or similar. You'll probably miss everything that would do UI/GFX stuff - except if that happens to be Qt. But that won't certainly be the case for Firefox/Mozilla - they've always been directed towards GTK (though Fennec will certainly be different). UI/GFX will probably be the hard part. I'm pretty much interested in this, though. Not much spare time, though, but interested enough to give it a look on the weekend. So I'm interested in what you find and how far you get! PS: Memory might become a problem, though: https://wiki.mozilla.org/Mobile/Metrics/Tracking

08-06-2013, 07:50 AM	#6
KevinShort Addict Posts: 348 Karma: 209937 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Virginia, US Device: Kobo Wifi, Kobo Glo	When I'm compiling software for the Kobo I like to use qemu to emulate a raspberry pi, which uses armhf like the Kobo. That way I don't have to worry about setting up a cross-compiler.

08-15-2013, 04:11 AM	#7
MarekGibek Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 34471 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Cracow, Poland Device: Kobo Touch N905C	Yes. I did it. I successfully run Firefox, Midori, Arora. Didn't try Opera. Chrome crashes on start. From the list I like the Firefox most as it has extensions for easier using with touch. However it is very memory hungry. This is probably not a problem on Aurora HD but on my Kobo Touch I had to turn on swap memory. Generally I've installed debian jessie (I succeeded with ubuntu 13.04, too) for arm to change Kobo to tablet. Almost all apps are working (games, utils, ...). I'm planning to describe here in a series of threads how to do it, so please be patient

08-15-2013, 10:59 AM	#10
MarekGibek Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 34471 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Cracow, Poland Device: Kobo Touch N905C	Paola, it will be strictly technical (we are in developer's corner ), sorry. However... for non-techies I will prepare SD-card image with preconfigured software. This will be easy to flash and check. But still risky - be warned to always have copy of the working software! I hope someone will make sure it is working ok with Mini and Aura HD as I cannot test it (I have Kobo Touch). It may not start without problems (changes have been made in kernel).

08-15-2013, 04:19 PM	#12
yoq Developer Posts: 77 Karma: 206176 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Europe Device: Kobo Glo	Sounds great! Can we still run nickel (or koreader) with the kernel changes or would we have to reboot?

08-16-2013, 06:34 AM	#13
MarekGibek Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 34471 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Cracow, Poland Device: Kobo Touch N905C	Changes in the kernel are compatible with nickel. But you need to shutdown X11 before running nickel - in practice I do it by reboot (you may configure it other way). This weekend I want to upload sample image for Kobo Touch (may run on Glo too, but you never know). I just need to configure a few things. Prepare 8GB SD card

08-19-2013, 08:08 AM	#14
kenoi Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	MarekGibek, it's paramount that your progress is documented and shared. I just bought my Kobo, and already I'm sick of all the limitations it has with the current software. @Kevinshort, hawhill: Thanks for the tips, guys. I haven't had a lot of time on my hands lately. I'll give it a shot soon enough, but now I'm really interested in Marek's achievement! If we can get proper Linux working on Kobo, that opens up a broad scope of possibilities. I feel the Kobo's potential for outdoor use is too great for it to be only a reading device. It's a little touch based computer, so let it be a little touch based computer! Cheers.

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08-19-2013, 02:54 PM	#15
MarekGibek Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 34471 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Cracow, Poland Device: Kobo Touch N905C	Yes, the Linux opens unlimited possibilities. The problem is there are almost none x11 applications designed for small screens and touch. I regret that I've failed with porting Android.