Mini Can brightness be adjusted on the Mini?

mand · 03-26-2018, 04:13 PM

I inherited a Kobo Mini , so I signed up for a Kobo account to see if I like it better than my trusty Kindle. But is it really impossible to adjust the brightness? This will be a deal breaker for me if it's true, but I find it hard to believe.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

jackie_w · 03-26-2018, 04:26 PM

The Kobo Mini is an old model. It doesn't have a frontlight so I don't see how you could adjust the brightness.

JSWolf · 03-26-2018, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie_w

The Kobo Mini is an old model. It doesn't have a frontlight so I don't see how you could adjust the brightness.

Maybe the OP would like to adjust the font weight?

rcentros · 03-27-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mand

I inherited a Kobo Mini , so I signed up for a Kobo account to see if I like it better than my trusty Kindle. But is it really impossible to adjust the brightness? This will be a deal breaker for me if it's true, but I find it hard to believe.

I bought a Kobo Mini and was surprised (disappointed) at its poor contrast. It also renders pictures poorly (poor detail). I find it hard to believe that these had the same quality screens as the Kobo Touches (Pearl? Really?) – but looking at the comparison pictures on Google images, I see that those pictured are similar to mine. The Kobo Mini image rendering is worse than on a 2009 Astak EzReader Pro and much poorer than a Sony PRS-350 (or even a PRS-300). Still readable fonts, though – and I like the size – so I'll probably hold on to it. Not absolutely sure yet.

rcentros · 03-27-2018, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie_w

The Kobo Mini is an old model. It doesn't have a frontlight so I don't see how you could adjust the brightness.

It's no older than the Kobo Touch, but it definitely has a lesser quality screen.

mand · 03-27-2018, 12:28 PM

Thanks everyone. My Kindle PaperwhIte is front lit, the one I had previously wasn't lit(?) but if I remember right it did have some way...? Maybe not but certainly I never had any trouble seeing the words in reasonable room lighting. I used it primarily while lying in bed. I can't do that with the Kobo Mini, and even in broad daylight it's an effort.

Yes, the bold setting helps up to a point, but not enough.

It's a real shame, I'd otherwise love the Mini - if I could read on it! Well, eBay here we come.

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

JSWolf · 03-27-2018, 01:08 PM

I suggest you try selling your Kobo Mini in the Fleamarket here.

rcentros · 03-27-2018, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mand

Yes, the bold setting helps up to a point, but not enough.

If you use Calibre you could try embedding the Constantia font. I think that's better than bolding the included fonts on the Mini.

jackie_w · 03-27-2018, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

If you use Calibre you could try embedding the Constantia font. I think that's better than bolding the included fonts on the Mini.

Why would a Kobo user want/need to embed any font in every epub when they could just sideload that font once and pick it from the Aa font menu?

rcentros · 03-27-2018, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackie_w

Why would a Kobo user want/need to embed any font in every epub when they could just sideload that font once and pick it from the Aa font menu?

Because not every Kobo user is sure how to do that.

Besides, I'm embedding Constantia for the Sonys anyhow. But this might work better. I'll see if I can accomplish it. Thanks.

EDIT: Yeah, that works pretty well. Thanks.

ZodWallop · 03-27-2018, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

Because not every Kobo user is sure how to do that.

Besides, I'm embedding Constantia for the Sonys anyhow. But this might work better. I'll see if I can accomplish it. Thanks.

I guarantee it is easier for the average user to add a font to their Kobo than it is to embed it in every book sent to it.

rcentros · 03-27-2018, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I guarantee it is easier for the average user to add a font to their Kobo than it is to embed it in every book sent to it.

You're assuming that I'm of near average intelligence. The thing is, all the books I moved over to the Kobo were already embedded with the Constantia font for the Sonys.

And speaking of the Mini ... what's the deal with hyphenating the last letter (not syllable) in a line? Way-s, beginnin-g, la-w, w-hom (variation), swor-n (a few that I've found). I think I read somewhere that you have to KePubify the text to get rid of that? I'm guessing that's been fixed in newer versions of Kobo's firmware – versions the Mini will probably never see.

davidfor · 03-28-2018, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

And speaking of the Mini ... what's the deal with hyphenating the last letter (not syllable) in a line? Way-s, beginnin-g, la-w, w-hom (variation), swor-n (a few that I've found). I think I read somewhere that you have to KePubify the text to get rid of that? I'm guessing that's been fixed in newer versions of Kobo's firmware – versions the Mini will probably never see.

I have a vague memory of that as problem in some older firmware version. For newer firmware, most have been tested as OK on the Mini. If you read any of the firmware release threads, there is usually "does it work on the Mini" question in the first couple of pages and a "yes" soon afterwards.

What firmware version do you have? Looking at the firmware release Wiki page, it has 3.19.5761 as the last release for the Mini. But, in the discussion thread, I think that Kobo only released this to Japan for the Mini. It will be safe to use on an Mini. I can't see what the last official worldwide release for the Mini was. It looks to be 3.4.1, but I thought there was a later one. Firmware 3.19.5761 was a good release and very safe, so I would recommend that.

latepaul · 03-28-2018, 04:07 AM

I factory reset my Kobo a couple of days ago and I can confirm that after it had updated itself it was at 3.4.1 (I'm in the UK). After that I side-loaded 3.19.5761 which is what i was using before and I've found it stable.

That said I tend not to pay much attention to hyphenation.

ZodWallop · 03-28-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcentros

And speaking of the Mini ... what's the deal with hyphenating the last letter (not syllable) in a line? Way-s, beginnin-g, la-w, w-hom (variation), swor-n (a few that I've found). I think I read somewhere that you have to KePubify the text to get rid of that? I'm guessing that's been fixed in newer versions of Kobo's firmware – versions the Mini will probably never see.

As others mentioned, it's been fixed in newer firmware. But you could also install Wolf's Better Hyphenation Dictionary. That ought to fix it, I think.

03-26-2018, 04:13 PM	#1
mand Zealot Posts: 112 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wiltshire, UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite 7th gen; Kindle Keyboard; iRex iLiad	Can brightness be adjusted on the Mini? I inherited a Kobo Mini , so I signed up for a Kobo account to see if I like it better than my trusty Kindle. But is it really impossible to adjust the brightness? This will be a deal breaker for me if it's true, but I find it hard to believe. Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
N96ML Brightness	canibalector	Onyx Boox	10	07-01-2016 12:07 AM
Brightness	simplyparticular	Nook Color & Nook Tablet	10	11-24-2010 10:44 PM
Content Kindle mini club / mini swap meet - preferably Aussie Kindlers	michael.c	Amazon Kindle	0	11-16-2010 12:09 AM
Nokia N97 mini: A mini alternative	nisarnadaf	Alternative Devices	0	02-03-2010 12:05 AM
How are e-ink screens adjusted? Is there a potentiometer?	Sunspark	News	5	12-07-2009 08:03 AM

03-26-2018, 04:26 PM	#2
jackie_w Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,251 Karma: 16539642 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Device: ClaraHD, Forma, Libra2, Clara2E, LibraCol, PBTouchHD3	The Kobo Mini is an old model. It doesn't have a frontlight so I don't see how you could adjust the brightness.

03-27-2018, 12:28 PM	#6
mand Zealot Posts: 112 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wiltshire, UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite 7th gen; Kindle Keyboard; iRex iLiad	Thanks everyone. My Kindle PaperwhIte is front lit, the one I had previously wasn't lit(?) but if I remember right it did have some way...? Maybe not but certainly I never had any trouble seeing the words in reasonable room lighting. I used it primarily while lying in bed. I can't do that with the Kobo Mini, and even in broad daylight it's an effort. Yes, the bold setting helps up to a point, but not enough. It's a real shame, I'd otherwise love the Mini - if I could read on it! Well, eBay here we come. Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

03-27-2018, 01:08 PM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,353 Karma: 145488914 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I suggest you try selling your Kobo Mini in the Fleamarket here.

03-28-2018, 04:07 AM	#14
latepaul Wizard Posts: 1,270 Karma: 10468300 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: a variety (mostly kindles and kobos)	I factory reset my Kobo a couple of days ago and I can confirm that after it had updated itself it was at 3.4.1 (I'm in the UK). After that I side-loaded 3.19.5761 which is what i was using before and I've found it stable. That said I tend not to pay much attention to hyphenation.

Advert

Advert