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davidfor · 04-13-2017, 10:44 PM

@petercreasey: You have asked the question before about what is the current version of the firmware. In fact, you have asked the question more than once. There were responses in those threads about how Kobo distributes firmware. Including speculation on why they do this. It has also been discussed here many times over the years I have been here. It comes up most times Kobo release new firmware, so there is usually a comment in the thread created for each thread.

But, as you seem to be insisting...

Kobo do not announce their firmware releases. The devices check for an update whenever they sync to the Kobo server. If there is an update, it is downloaded and installed. If you do the sync manually, you will be prompted whether to do the install or wait until later. If it is part of an automatic sync, the firmware is installed automatically.

Kobo do not release the firmware to all devices immediately. The release schedule appears to be based on the affiliate of the Kobo account used on the device and geolocation using the IP address. The affiliate is usually associated with were the device was purchased. The exact order of release is not known and seems to have changed. But, Kobo usually start with a Canadian affiliate. There is probably some agreement between Kobo and the affiliates as to when the firmware is released to them. It is possible they do their own testing or just let others be the guinea pigs. I don't know what the geolocation rules are except that Australia, or at least my ISP, is way down the list of places to receive updates.

The releases can be device model specific. This is something Kobo commonly does when releasing a new device. The update check sends the serial number of the device, so they can update one specific device if they want to.

There is probably also some load balancing done to prevent overloading their servers or links.

As to Kobo releasing firmware to other sites, they don't. There is only one site used for firmware releases. ALL Kobo devices query that site to determine the version for available to it at that point in time.

Why they do this, I don't know, but I can think of a few reasons:

- Small initial release in case of problems.
- Spread load on their servers/links over time.
- Agreements with their affiliates.

04-13-2017, 10:44 PM	#6
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	@petercreasey: You have asked the question before about what is the current version of the firmware. In fact, you have asked the question more than once. There were responses in those threads about how Kobo distributes firmware. Including speculation on why they do this. It has also been discussed here many times over the years I have been here. It comes up most times Kobo release new firmware, so there is usually a comment in the thread created for each thread. But, as you seem to be insisting... Kobo do not announce their firmware releases. The devices check for an update whenever they sync to the Kobo server. If there is an update, it is downloaded and installed. If you do the sync manually, you will be prompted whether to do the install or wait until later. If it is part of an automatic sync, the firmware is installed automatically. Kobo do not release the firmware to all devices immediately. The release schedule appears to be based on the affiliate of the Kobo account used on the device and geolocation using the IP address. The affiliate is usually associated with were the device was purchased. The exact order of release is not known and seems to have changed. But, Kobo usually start with a Canadian affiliate. There is probably some agreement between Kobo and the affiliates as to when the firmware is released to them. It is possible they do their own testing or just let others be the guinea pigs. I don't know what the geolocation rules are except that Australia, or at least my ISP, is way down the list of places to receive updates. The releases can be device model specific. This is something Kobo commonly does when releasing a new device. The update check sends the serial number of the device, so they can update one specific device if they want to. There is probably also some load balancing done to prevent overloading their servers or links. As to Kobo releasing firmware to other sites, they don't. There is only one site used for firmware releases. ALL Kobo devices query that site to determine the version for available to it at that point in time. Why they do this, I don't know, but I can think of a few reasons: - Small initial release in case of problems. - Spread load on their servers/links over time. - Agreements with their affiliates.