Touch Downgrading (upgrading?) to FW 1.9.17 - a brief review

rjcroy · 09-28-2013, 06:20 PM

Now that my original Touch (N905) has fallen off the back of the firmware upgrade train, and because I was not satisfied with 2.6.1, I decided to look back through previous versions of the firmware and try an older one that I preferred.

I narrowed the options down to 2.1.5 and 1.9.17, and decided to try 1.9.17 first. I am glad I did!

Firstly, with 1.9.17 and side-loaded epubs (which always use), the text can fill the screen again

No more empty lines at the top of the screen.

Secondly, you get the progress bar with chapter marker pips back again, which I loved.

It also seems to go to sleep faster, but that might be because there are fewer books on it right now--not sure.

A downside is that looking up dictionary entries in 1.9.17 requires three taps, fewer in later firmware versions.

Overall, I prefer 1.9.17. I think it is better for customised side-loaded epubs.

filmo · 09-28-2013, 10:34 PM

I also have original touch and remember 1.9.17 one of the best firmware versions. One of the later versions was so bad I started using Kobo Wifi again until better touch firmware was released.

sos_sifou · 09-29-2013, 03:10 PM

I just don't understand how some developers think that they have improved the firmware by taking off useful things, like that wasted space all over the screen.

Atilla · 09-29-2013, 05:02 PM

I am on 2.3.2 the top margin is fine and chess works

meeera · 09-29-2013, 09:23 PM

I remember chapter pips! This has shot to the #1 slot on my Firmware Wishlist.

rjcroy · 09-29-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sos_sifou

I just don't understand how some developers think that they have improved the firmware by taking off useful things, like that wasted space all over the screen.

I can understand why the developers added a top margin. Some epubs from publishers have no top margin at all, and in 1.9.17 this puts the top line flush against the top bezel, which is not easy to read.

But I wish they had added a small top margin (say 10 pt) to address this rather than a large top margin that costs you one or two lines.

Thane1 · 10-01-2013, 05:27 PM

What does the home page look like, is the sync icon a cloud located towards the lower right of the screen?

rjcroy · 10-02-2013, 12:45 AM

The home page looks like this:

Thane1 · 10-02-2013, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjcroy

The home page looks like this:

Thanks, it is different than what I was expecting.

10-02-2013, 12:45 AM	#8
rjcroy Bibliophile Posts: 167 Karma: 1147338 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kobo Touch	The home page looks like this: Attached Thumbnails

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09-28-2013, 06:20 PM	#1
rjcroy Bibliophile Posts: 167 Karma: 1147338 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Zealand Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kobo Touch	Downgrading (upgrading?) to FW 1.9.17 - a brief review Now that my original Touch (N905) has fallen off the back of the firmware upgrade train, and because I was not satisfied with 2.6.1, I decided to look back through previous versions of the firmware and try an older one that I preferred. I narrowed the options down to 2.1.5 and 1.9.17, and decided to try 1.9.17 first. I am glad I did! Firstly, with 1.9.17 and side-loaded epubs (which always use), the text can fill the screen again No more empty lines at the top of the screen. Secondly, you get the progress bar with chapter marker pips back again, which I loved. It also seems to go to sleep faster, but that might be because there are fewer books on it right now--not sure. A downside is that looking up dictionary entries in 1.9.17 requires three taps, fewer in later firmware versions. Overall, I prefer 1.9.17. I think it is better for customised side-loaded epubs. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by rjcroy; 09-28-2013 at 06:23 PM.

09-28-2013, 10:34 PM	#2
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	I also have original touch and remember 1.9.17 one of the best firmware versions. One of the later versions was so bad I started using Kobo Wifi again until better touch firmware was released.

09-29-2013, 03:10 PM	#3
sos_sifou Member Posts: 20 Karma: 7938 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: Kobo Glo	I just don't understand how some developers think that they have improved the firmware by taking off useful things, like that wasted space all over the screen.

09-29-2013, 05:02 PM	#4
Atilla Addict Posts: 225 Karma: 619496 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kindle 3, Kindle 3 3G, Kobo Touch, Playbook,Kobo Clara HD,Kobo Libra 2	I am on 2.3.2 the top margin is fine and chess works

09-29-2013, 09:23 PM	#5
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,818 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	I remember chapter pips! This has shot to the #1 slot on my Firmware Wishlist.

10-01-2013, 05:27 PM	#7
Thane1 Connoisseur Posts: 73 Karma: 95862 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Kobo Touch, Kobo Mini	What does the home page look like, is the sync icon a cloud located towards the lower right of the screen?