Turn PWAs into dedicated Kindle homebrew app? (Overdrive Libby support)

TOMillr · 10-04-2026, 06:12 AM

I'm curious why we haven't seen an increase in homebrew apps for jailbroken Kindles. Wouldn't it be possible to turn existing progressive web apps (PWA) into a dedicated app?

I'd love to have an app for Overdrive Libby or an rss reader like Reabble on my Kindle.

JSWolf · 10-04-2026, 08:55 AM

Get an Onyx Boox Reader that uses Android and then you'll get to install the apps you want.

TOMillr · 10-04-2026, 10:16 AM

I'm familiar with the various Android-based readers made by Boox, Viwoods and the likes. But that's not what I'm talking about.

A select handful of homebrew apps would make a sensible addition to a jailbroken Kindle for many users, I'm sure.

Being able to read books and magazines from your local library through a dedicated Libby app, should be an enticing proposition to do a jailbreak.

dandaman · 10-04-2026, 11:02 AM

You actually could, for example Illusion is a great framework to make apps for Kindle

JSWolf · 10-04-2026, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOMillr

I'm familiar with the various Android-based readers made by Boox, Viwoods and the likes. But that's not what I'm talking about.

A select handful of homebrew apps would make a sensible addition to a jailbroken Kindle for many users, I'm sure.

Being able to read books and magazines from your local library through a dedicated Libby app, should be an enticing proposition to do a jailbreak.

Unless you have a Scribe, forget magazines. Most (I think) are PDF and as we know, PDF on the smaller eInk screen is not good.

TOMillr · 10-04-2026, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandaman

You actually could, for example Illusion is a great framework to make apps for Kindle

That sounds promising. Is there any documentation on Illusion? The links to Github I was able to find Kindle Modding Wiki seem to be down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Unless you have a Scribe, forget magazines. Most (I think) are PDF and as we know, PDF on the smaller eInk screen is not good.

Again, you've failed to provide anything meaningful to my initial question. And you're response shows, that you've obviously no clue how Libby actually works and why it might be useful to other users.

JSWolf · 10-05-2026, 09:19 AM

I know how Libby works. I use it a lot. But I also know how eInk screens work with PDF. And most magazines will be PDF and they won't display well enough on an eInk screen that's too small.

10-04-2026, 06:12 AM	#1
TOMillr Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 24 Join Date: Jul 2024 Device: Kindle Oasis	Turn PWAs into dedicated Kindle homebrew app? (Overdrive Libby support) I'm curious why we haven't seen an increase in homebrew apps for jailbroken Kindles. Wouldn't it be possible to turn existing progressive web apps (PWA) into a dedicated app? I'd love to have an app for Overdrive Libby or an rss reader like Reabble on my Kindle.

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10-04-2026, 08:55 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 85,266 Karma: 154365101 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Get an Onyx Boox Reader that uses Android and then you'll get to install the apps you want.

10-04-2026, 10:16 AM	#3
TOMillr Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 24 Join Date: Jul 2024 Device: Kindle Oasis	I'm familiar with the various Android-based readers made by Boox, Viwoods and the likes. But that's not what I'm talking about. A select handful of homebrew apps would make a sensible addition to a jailbroken Kindle for many users, I'm sure. Being able to read books and magazines from your local library through a dedicated Libby app, should be an enticing proposition to do a jailbreak.

10-04-2026, 11:02 AM	#4
dandaman Addict Posts: 325 Karma: 222 Join Date: May 2026 Location: London, United Kingdom Device: Kindle PW3, PW6	You actually could, for example Illusion is a great framework to make apps for Kindle

10-05-2026, 09:19 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 85,266 Karma: 154365101 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I know how Libby works. I use it a lot. But I also know how eInk screens work with PDF. And most magazines will be PDF and they won't display well enough on an eInk screen that's too small.

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