Barriers to Replacement OS?

em73 · Yesterday, 09:44 PM

Just a curiosity question here: What is stopping newer Kobo devices from having full firmware/OS replacements installed? Obviously it is much easier on the older ones with internal microSD cards, as well as the usual need for there to be developer interest in making & maintaining such an OS, and that this OS would have to be worth such effort in the first place.

But, on the bright side, Kobo devices seem so much more open to software mods without needing "jailbreak"-type exploits. I'm just wondering what hypothetical barriers there to totally flashing a new operating system in the first place.

Sirtel · Yesterday, 10:14 PM

Given that the main purpose of Kobo devices is reading and they're not well suited for anything else due to hardware limitations, I'd guess there just isn't enough interest for creating and maintaining a different OS. You can already load alternative reading applications easily enough. What would be the point of a different OS for an ereader?

DNSB · Yesterday, 11:28 PM

Also some of the newer Kobo OS are enabling security features such as secure boot.

The other issue is that while some of the early Android versions could be loaded with an ereader's limited RAM and storage. Current Android versions require 2-3GB of RAM, ever the Android Go version from Android 13 and up require a minimum of 2GB of RAM.

You could run Linux on a Kobo ereader, after all, that is the native OS used by Kobo but again, an ereader lacks the CPU power, RAM and storage. A Kobo ereader is likely close to the original Raspberry Pi in terms of CPU, RAM and minimum storage. Looking at the cost, you'd likely be better off with the newer Raspberry Pi devices for performance and flexibility.

elinkser · Today, 12:47 PM

Not to dispute points made by above diatinguished gentlemen, but the current bloated state of modern software has alot to do with that.

You CAN run simple programs like I guess the original Apollo launch program, or old school chess apps:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...07&postcount=4

Or even an OS:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=337972

Or try a chroot environment if you have a weekend to kill:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=355579

Yesterday, 09:44 PM	#1
em73 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2025 Device: Kobo Touch	Barriers to Replacement OS? Just a curiosity question here: What is stopping newer Kobo devices from having full firmware/OS replacements installed? Obviously it is much easier on the older ones with internal microSD cards, as well as the usual need for there to be developer interest in making & maintaining such an OS, and that this OS would have to be worth such effort in the first place. But, on the bright side, Kobo devices seem so much more open to software mods without needing "jailbreak"-type exploits. I'm just wondering what hypothetical barriers there to totally flashing a new operating system in the first place.

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Yesterday, 10:14 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,466 Karma: 239219453 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Given that the main purpose of Kobo devices is reading and they're not well suited for anything else due to hardware limitations, I'd guess there just isn't enough interest for creating and maintaining a different OS. You can already load alternative reading applications easily enough. What would be the point of a different OS for an ereader?

Yesterday, 11:28 PM	#3
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,168 Karma: 168983734 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Also some of the newer Kobo OS are enabling security features such as secure boot. The other issue is that while some of the early Android versions could be loaded with an ereader's limited RAM and storage. Current Android versions require 2-3GB of RAM, ever the Android Go version from Android 13 and up require a minimum of 2GB of RAM. You could run Linux on a Kobo ereader, after all, that is the native OS used by Kobo but again, an ereader lacks the CPU power, RAM and storage. A Kobo ereader is likely close to the original Raspberry Pi in terms of CPU, RAM and minimum storage. Looking at the cost, you'd likely be better off with the newer Raspberry Pi devices for performance and flexibility.

Today, 12:47 PM	#4
elinkser Addict Posts: 236 Karma: 146236 Join Date: Oct 2022 Device: Kobo Clara HD	Not to dispute points made by above diatinguished gentlemen, but the current bloated state of modern software has alot to do with that. You CAN run simple programs like I guess the original Apollo launch program, or old school chess apps: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...07&postcount=4 Or even an OS: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=337972 Or try a chroot environment if you have a weekend to kill: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=355579