Libra 2 New owner - setup help needed

Stamper · 06-29-2023, 07:57 PM

After a couple of years prevaricating I finally took the plunge and have a brand new Libra 2. It's still in the box, I haven't started it yet.

I've looked through the forums and come across some things I want, but I'm not totally clear what order I should do things, and more importantly any things I shouldn't do e.g. update to the latest firmware.

I'm happy rooting android phones, and have access to a PC.

Things I want to do

1. Put a fresh launcher on there that opens up new functionality. Nickel Launcher I think.

2. Set it up to sync with my Calibre library on my PC

3. Allow it to display books from my paid for Kindle library. I note that there is a drm issue from the start of this year. But 99% of my kindle books were published and purchased before that date. What is the best way?

Thanks in advance

Josieb1 · 06-29-2023, 10:48 PM

You need to Google Apprentice Alf for the DRM queries, we are not allowed to discuss it on here.

DNSB · 06-29-2023, 11:18 PM

There is no launcher as such on a Kobo. It does not run Android. You can install NickelMenu and alternate renderers such as KOReader and Plato.
Setting up calibre is pretty simple. You can check the calibre manual for the basics.
You will need to generate epubs from your Kindle files. For KF8/azw3, I prefer the results from using the KindleUnpack plugin rather than having calibre convert to epub. For mobi, convert to epub is the best way to go. A Kobo ereader does have the ability to display a mobi file but that capability dates from when MobiPocket was still around. Amazon has made a crapload of undocumented changes to mobi since then.
I generally recommend using the newest firmware. This is not like a Kindle where there is no path back. On a Kobo, you can install any firmware version later than the factory installed version.

ZodWallop · 06-30-2023, 12:01 AM

I would just use the Kobo as is for a while. See what you think of it before installing KOReader or anything else.

Kobo's regular Nickle software works well with Calibre. You can download all your Kindle books and strip the DRM. Series and tags will move over from your Calibre library to your Kobo with no fuss.

You might still want to patch the software or completely replace it with KOReader. But at least give it a shake before you make changes.

You can freely install the latest firmware. There's no jailbreaking needed to make changes. You won't be locked into anything.

Number9 · 06-30-2023, 01:17 AM

What he said ^^

Karellen · 06-30-2023, 01:24 AM

Yep, what he said ^^

I have a stock standard Libra 2, and it does everything I need it to.

Sirtel · 06-30-2023, 02:05 AM

I agree with giving a stock software a try first. OTOH, when I bought my first Kobo, I needed just one hour of trying to decide I want custom fonts and patches. Still, I never found much use for KOReader and such. Patched stock reader suits me fine.

No need to fear the latest firmware. As ZodWallop said, Kobos don't need jailbreaking and you can always downgrade.

Stamper · 06-30-2023, 06:18 PM

Thank you for all of your replies and help.

06-29-2023, 07:57 PM	#1
Stamper Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2023 Device: Kobo Libra 2	New owner - setup help needed After a couple of years prevaricating I finally took the plunge and have a brand new Libra 2. It's still in the box, I haven't started it yet. I've looked through the forums and come across some things I want, but I'm not totally clear what order I should do things, and more importantly any things I shouldn't do e.g. update to the latest firmware. I'm happy rooting android phones, and have access to a PC. Things I want to do 1. Put a fresh launcher on there that opens up new functionality. Nickel Launcher I think. 2. Set it up to sync with my Calibre library on my PC 3. Allow it to display books from my paid for Kindle library. I note that there is a drm issue from the start of this year. But 99% of my kindle books were published and purchased before that date. What is the best way? Thanks in advance

06-29-2023, 11:18 PM	#3
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,190 Karma: 168983734 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	There is no launcher as such on a Kobo. It does not run Android. You can install NickelMenu and alternate renderers such as KOReader and Plato. Setting up calibre is pretty simple. You can check the calibre manual for the basics. You will need to generate epubs from your Kindle files. For KF8/azw3, I prefer the results from using the KindleUnpack plugin rather than having calibre convert to epub. For mobi, convert to epub is the best way to go. A Kobo ereader does have the ability to display a mobi file but that capability dates from when MobiPocket was still around. Amazon has made a crapload of undocumented changes to mobi since then. I generally recommend using the newest firmware. This is not like a Kindle where there is no path back. On a Kobo, you can install any firmware version later than the factory installed version.

06-30-2023, 12:01 AM	#4
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,479 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	I would just use the Kobo as is for a while. See what you think of it before installing KOReader or anything else. Kobo's regular Nickle software works well with Calibre. You can download all your Kindle books and strip the DRM. Series and tags will move over from your Calibre library to your Kobo with no fuss. You might still want to patch the software or completely replace it with KOReader. But at least give it a shake before you make changes. You can freely install the latest firmware. There's no jailbreaking needed to make changes. You won't be locked into anything. Last edited by ZodWallop; 06-30-2023 at 12:04 AM.

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06-29-2023, 10:48 PM	#2
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,086 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2	You need to Google Apprentice Alf for the DRM queries, we are not allowed to discuss it on here.

06-30-2023, 01:17 AM	#5
Number9 Dude Posts: 206 Karma: 2184130 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Dobbstown Device: Kobo Aura One; Kobo Aura H2o; Sony Reader PRS-T3	What he said ^^

06-30-2023, 01:24 AM	#6
Karellen Wizard Posts: 1,611 Karma: 9500498 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2	Yep, what he said ^^ I have a stock standard Libra 2, and it does everything I need it to.

06-30-2023, 02:05 AM	#7
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,471 Karma: 239219543 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	I agree with giving a stock software a try first. OTOH, when I bought my first Kobo, I needed just one hour of trying to decide I want custom fonts and patches. Still, I never found much use for KOReader and such. Patched stock reader suits me fine. No need to fear the latest firmware. As ZodWallop said, Kobos don't need jailbreaking and you can always downgrade.

06-30-2023, 06:18 PM	#8
Stamper Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2023 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Thank you for all of your replies and help.

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