I've finally switched from amazon to Kobo and need a little help getting started.

[MontyB]

After many years as a loyal Kindle user (PW SE Gen. 11), I finally switched to a Kobo Clara Color. The reason for this was Amazon with their increasingly aggressive interference in MY DEVICE. I was getting suggestions for books on my home screen even though I was NEVER connected to wifi. (Update 14.3.1) That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Now I have a few questions about my new device:

1. do I have to pay attention to a certain software version to use e.g. Kobo patches and can I downgrade if necessary?

2. which Calibre plugins would you recommend?

3. do I have to block OTA updates like on my Kindle?

4. do you have any other good tips for me that I should know?

Thanks for your help in advance.


Monty

[Sirtel]

Congrats on your new Kobo!

1. Usually patches come out soon after an update, but at the moment they're quite a few versions behind, due to the patch releaser having been extremely busy for a while. It's still possible to patch the latest firmware version, but some patches might not work. Hopefully we'll get back on track in the not too far future.

Yes, you can downgrade if you want to.

2. Kobo Utilities and KoboTouch Extended

3. Not really. You can always downgrade.

4. I suggest you use your new Kobo for a while and if you find you want to change something or have more questions, ask here. You might have a clearer picture of your preferences and dislikes then, as people often want very different things.

[bluepeter]

With respect to Calibre plugins, you might want DeDRM - especially if you want to download the Kindle books that you've already bought from Amazon and either hold usable copies on your hard drive or sideload them onto your new Kobo. Note that if you want to do this, your Kindle must still be registered to your Amazon account at the time you download a book from Amazon to Calibre.

If you do want to block OTA firmware upgrades, there are one or two patches that you might like to apply. But, as @Sirtel says, you can always go backwards if you want.

[PeterT]

No need for Kobo touch extended. Just use the device as is and see what you like / dislike.

Do install Kobo utilities though and make sure it's backing up the Kobo database on a regular basis.

Do try books in both Epub and Kobo format (you can find free Kobo format content) at kobo.com.

If down the road you find you prefer the formatting/ features of Kobo format then sure, you can install Kobo touch extended in calibre.

Explore all the settings / menus on the device.

Likewise don't patch the firmware at first. See what bugs you and then investigate patches if needs be.

The only change I for one make is to install NickelMenu.

Most of my reading is library books fulfilled via Kobo so in kepub format.

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

[Sirtel]

Whereas I've personally found no use whatsoever for NickelMenu.

As I said, people want very different things.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Whereas I've personally found no use whatsoever for NickelMenu.

As I said, people want very different things.

There actually some very good use for NickelMenu. It allows you to reconnect to USB (without haing the unplug/replug the cable) so you can update the metadata with calibre after you've sent your eBook to your Kobo. So less wear & tear on the USB port.

Another really useful thing you can do is turn on the front light with the brightness you want.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

There actually some very good use for NickelMenu. It allows you to reconnect to USB (without haing the unplug/replug the cable) so you can update the metadata with calibre after you've sent your eBook to your Kobo. So less wear & tear on the USB port.

Another really useful thing you can do is turn on the front light with the brightness you want.

I don't connect to the computer all that often, perhaps once or twice a month, if that. I usually send a lot of books at once. So I don't mind replugging.

As to the frontlight, my Sage is always at the same level, while I change the level on my Libra 2 constantly. I never switch the light completely off. No use for NickelMenu in either of these cases.

[DNSB]

And one caution when purchasing a new Kobo—do not attempt to downgrade to a firmware version older than the factory installed version.

Over the weekend, I walked one person through doing a manual factory reset on his Libra Colour when the lackwit installed an older Kobo software hoping to get the antique home screen like he had on his Kobo Glo back in 2015. Hmmm... you installed a firmware version for a different device that was released 9 years before your KLC and are surprised that it didn't work?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DNSB

And one caution when purchasing a new Kobo—do not attempt to downgrade to a firmware version older than the factory installed version.

Over the weekend, I walked one person through doing a manual factory reset on his Libra Colour when the lackwit installed an older Kobo software hoping to get the antique home screen like he had on his Kobo Glo back in 2015. Hmmm... you installed a firmware version for a different device that was released 9 years before your KLC and are surprised that it didn't work?

My Aura H2O came with 3.7.0. That's a long time ago.

[h3ct0r]

My advice is to bypass the registration and use the device completely offline. My kobo has never been connected to the internet or synced to anything. I don't have big brother looking over my shoulder when I'm reading my physical paper books and I demand the same when I'm reading digitally. My tastes and reading habits are not for sale

I has seen it insinuated elsewhere that Amazon were somehow gaining backdoor access to devices and connecting to unconnected devices, I never saw that claim substantiated however your experience certainly arouses further suspicion. Amazon are apex predators of the most Savage kind. Shame on you bezos

[ownedbycats]

I also feel it worth noting that, without a specific patch, Kobo requires the latest firmware to sync to the Kobo servers. However, you can just turn wifi off and sideload everything if you prefer that.

[Aleron Ives]

If you use the patch to force firmware update prompts, will the prompt appear over and over once the device has been online and knows that new firmware exists, or will it only appear once per sync?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

If you use the patch to force firmware update prompts, will the prompt appear over and over once the device has been online and knows that new firmware exists, or will it only appear once per sync?

I think it's once per sync, but it was a long time ago since I last used the patch (my Kobos are almost always offline), so I might be wrong.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by h3ct0r

My advice is to bypass the registration and use the device completely offline. My kobo has never been connected to the internet or synced to anything. I don't have big brother looking over my shoulder when I'm reading my physical paper books and I demand the same when I'm reading digitally. My tastes and reading habits are not for sale

I has seen it insinuated elsewhere that Amazon were somehow gaining backdoor access to devices and connecting to unconnected devices, I never saw that claim substantiated however your experience certainly arouses further suspicion. Amazon are apex predators of the most Savage kind. Shame on you bezos

Just register and then turn off WiFi. By registering, you have the option to sync and use Overdrive if you ever decide to. Suggestion not to register limits what a person can do. I don't see that many people being so paranoid.