Glo Few questions before I get a Kobo Glo

[Anghirrim]

Hi all,

I am looking for a new e-reader and would have some questions about the Glo.

But i'm in France and the only version available is the one branded by the Fnac.

Is that possible to get rid of the Fnac firmware version and upgrade to a naked Kobo "clean" one?

The goal is to have something as close to the "factory version" as possible.

Then, just install the script that enables light managment.

Thanks,

[ewphoenix123]

yes, you just have to change the fnac entry in the affiliate file to kobo.

[Anghirrim]

Wow, fast answer, thanks a lot.

This seems to be easy as "one two three". Then i guess I'll have to plug-in my Kobo into my computer and "check for udpates"? Then, as the affiliate is Kobo, it will download the basic Kobo firmware. Right?

What if I do the update using the files from this page? And launching the update by replacing the firmware files? Will I have a cleaner install?

Thanks,

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Anghirrim

Wow, fast answer, thanks a lot.

This seems to be easy as "one two three". Then i guess I'll have to plug-in my Kobo into my computer and "check for udpates"? Then, as the affiliate is Kobo, it will download the basic Kobo firmware. Right?

What if I do the update using the files from this page? And launching the update by replacing the firmware files? Will I have a cleaner install?

Thanks,

I don't think it makes much difference, I have done it both ways. I would back up any files using a disk image copier and a regular file copy before proceeding.

I use Roadkill's disk image but lots of others are available free.

The big advantage of doing it manually is that you can pick and chose your firmware version. None are great and IMO the 2.6.1 is probably the best of the 2.x ones. Others will probably disagree, but whatever you like best it is nice to have a choice.

Helen

[Anghirrim]

Hi Helen,

Thanks, in that case, I think that if I have no choice but to buy a Fnac version... I'll just change the affiliate and upgrade (using the desktop software) my Kobo when proposed.

I may be a lucky guy. After work today, I came in a little shop where a colleague told me that they had some e-readers. There was one, the Kobo touch, unbranded! They will check tomorrow if they can get the Glo. If so, I'll be able to get the french version, without Fnac soft layer.

Cheers,

Thomas

[samhy]

There's no FNAC firmware as there is a Bouygues/Orange/SFR layer to your mobile phone firmware, if that's what you have in mind.

During the set up you'll be able to choose between a FNAC and a Kobo account. Whatever your choice is, you'll always have the FNAC logo on the sleeping mode screen. Just edit one file, as ewphoenix123 said (you'll find many threads with more details with a quick search, some even in French if memory serves). Do that after each firmware update and voilà, you're good to go!

I always perform the updates through WIFI and I doubt my devices are any different from others', which was a big reason for me to buy Kobo.

[Anghirrim]

Glad to read that , I really feared that I would have been screwed by the position of the Fnac on the market.

So if the little shop has a Kobo Glo tomorrow,I'll just have 500m to do, else I'll have to wait for this Week End to go to the closest city, and find a Fnac.

[ewphoenix123]

I bought my first GLO from FNAC when they just came out in europe and I couldn't get one in my own country. There is no difference to the generic GLO models after you change the affiliation.

[samhy]

Originally Posted by Anghirrim

Glad to read that , I really feared that I would have been screwed by the position of the Fnac on the market.

So if the little shop has a Kobo Glo tomorrow,I'll just have 500m to do, else I'll have to wait for this Week End to go to the closest city, and find a Fnac.

FNAC is the official Kobo partner in France, which means that FNAC is the only store allowed to officially sell Kobo products. The good part is if something goes wrong, one just has to stop to a FNAC store to deal with customer service. No need to deal with phone calls and product shipments.

I hope you'll like your Glo

[Anghirrim]

Hey Samhy,

I know and this is what I thought. But obviously, there are some other stores (at least one) that sell Kobo readers in France. It's "Bureau Vallée".

Will let you know.

Another question, when plugging the Glo using USB, are all partitions mounted ? Can I generate a .img of the SD card directly? Or should I first physically open the Glo, get the SD out and generate my .img putting the SD in my computer directly?

Just to make a backup of my Glo before I try to update/upgrade/tweak.

Thanks,

[samhy]

You're right for Bureau Vallée, I forgot about that. Maybe that's a partnership between FNAC and some other retailers
For the back-up, have you looked into the Kobo utilities plugin developed by davidfor? I think it will do just what you want

[rabsmd]

Originally Posted by Anghirrim

Just to make a backup of my Glo before I try to update/upgrade/tweak.

A good starting point is this blog post:
http://a3nm.net/blog/kobo_glo_hacking.html

Otherwise, for this exact question:
http://blog.ringerc.id.au/2011/01/ta...i-without.html

And better use kpartx instead of partition offsets, to check what's in the dump.

[Anghirrim]

I finally ended on the big tweaks and hacks post from PeterT and it seems I've found what you were talking about.

Will check once I have my Glo (by the way, seems that Bureau vallée do not sell the Glo, the guy was pessimistic).

[jackastor]

Originally Posted by Anghirrim

I finally ended on the big tweaks and hacks post from PeterT and it seems I've found what you were talking about.

Will check once I have my Glo (by the way, seems that Bureau vallée do not sell the Glo, the guy was pessimistic).

The Kobo Aura is a nice upgrade from the Glo if you can go for it. Well worth the dif in pricing.

regards

Jack

[Anghirrim]

Hi jackastor,

The Aura is too expensive and too large for me. It must be small enough to fit in the pocket of a trouser.

Cheers,

Thomas