Android on Kobo: "Tips and Apps"

[digitalcyclops]

Hi, I have a question on Kobo Aura HD dualboot. I've followed the instructions to write the image (2014-02-28_Android_Kobo_Aura_HD) to my Transcend 32GB class 10 microSD. But after I put the fix-udev-tgz.zip's .tgz file into .kobo folder and rebooted, I got "We couldn't recognize your Micro SD card. Please format it to FAT32 and try again." message.

But if I format the microSD card, Kobo Aura HD does recognize the card. Anyone having similar problems? After the image writer, I have 30MB of unallocated space, then a 5.48GB partition followed by 2 other data partitions and 23.1GB of unallocated space. I didn't have luck moving the 2 data partitions to the end of the card and extend the first data partition. So I tried again with partitions as described before (however the image writer left my card).

Can anyone help?

[embryo]

Originally Posted by digitalcyclops

Hi, I have a question on Kobo Aura HD dualboot. I've followed the instructions to write the image (2014-02-28_Android_Kobo_Aura_HD) to my Transcend 32GB class 10 microSD. But after I put the fix-udev-tgz.zip's .tgz file into .kobo folder and rebooted, I got "We couldn't recognize your Micro SD card. Please format it to FAT32 and try again." message.

First of all, to make the dual boot work, you have to 'install' dualboot-android-aurahd.zip also.
The message you are seeing is not important (happens with Kobo and some SD cards, check here), since the system can still see the contents of the card.

After the image writer, I have 30MB of unallocated space, then a 5.48GB partition followed by 2 other data partitions and 23.1GB of unallocated space. I didn't have luck moving the 2 data partitions to the end of the card and extend the first data partition.

What software are you using?
You can try the free MiniTool Partition Wizard.
With it, use "Move/Resize" to drag and move the Ext4 partitions to the end of the unallocated space.
Then, use the "Extend" action on the fat32 partition, and drag the slider all the way to the right.
Don't "Move/Resize" the first partition, because there is code written at the first unallocated space.

[kbatay]

I just installed Android on my Aura HD. It seems to be working well, but I can't download anything from the market. Searching works, the apps I bought from other Android devices are shown as "Purchased", but I can't download anything, even free apps. Any hints? Is this supposed to work at all?

Edit: Never mind, I got it working by copying Elixir 2 on the SD card, installing it, and using it to clear the data for Google Services, Google Play Store, and Downloads, cf. this post.

[indyglow]

I could install the angor's image and run it on my Kobo Aura HD but the text/icon of the entire ando interface is way too small. Is there a way to change that?

[space4]

Originally Posted by indyglow

I could install the angor's image and run it on my Kobo Aura HD but the text/icon of the entire ando interface is way too small. Is there a way to change that?

The text/icon can be made bigger by adding a line in file /system/build.prop
eg.
ro.sf.lcd_density=265

I have bad eyes. I put in value 320 to make the text even bigger.

Previously I found the UC Mini Browser can tap to turn page / use on-screen buttons to turn page, but the text is too small to be comfortably read. After making the above change, the text is readable now!

[dnastase]

Is the battery percentage accurate on Kobo Aura HD using Angor's image ?
For me it's fixed to whatever it is when booting. The battery is charging (or discharging) but percentage stays the same.

[embryo]

Originally Posted by dnastase

Is the battery percentage accurate on Kobo Aura HD using Angor's image ?
For me it's fixed to whatever it is when booting. The battery is charging (or discharging) but percentage stays the same.

I'm using Marek's image on a Glo (totally different configuration) but I'm having some issues with the battery monitoring (check this post).
From my very small Nickel experience (with similar readings) I'm guessing its because of the battery sensor, but then again, I can't be sure...

[embryo]

Originally Posted by PinkET

The "kolino" is working pretty nice although at the same time it feels quite unstable.
Lots of programs shutting down and sudden reboots every time the free RAM gets under 100mb which seems rather strange to me.
I mean 100mb is still almost half the RAM, right? Do you have an idea why programs shut down with still 99mb of RAM available?

Most of the apps I use, don't have a 'memory full' problem, but finally I got some with the PDF readers I use (eBookDroid and PDF Reader). I solve the problems with eBookDroid, by turning the "MuPDF internal storage size" to the smallest possible amount, but PDF Reader does not have that setting after version 3.xx (although they are based on the same engine, vuPdf).

The solution to my memory problems (for the time being) is the V6 SuperCharger script, that I use also on my phone.
The version I used was this one.
I opened it with SManager, run it as root and when it asked where to store the changes, I chose the Build.prop because the other option was not permanent between reboots.

I don't understand half of what is written at that thread, so I can not answer how it was done, but the apps are not freezing anymore and there are not any 'memory full' reboot yet.

[dnastase]

Originally Posted by embryo

I'm using Marek's image on a Glo (totally different configuration) but I'm having some issues with the battery monitoring (check this post).
From my very small Nickel experience (with similar readings) I'm guessing its because of the battery sensor, but then again, I can't be sure...

How about the lifetime of the battery ?

I have fully charged mine yesterday and did NOT use it at all.
Today it was fully depleted

I have to admit that I don't remember if I put it in standby or not.

It's very unfortunate that Android experience is not optimized for the reader as Nooks are.
With the nicer display and beefier hardware it should be a no-brainer which one to use.
But I find myself trusting the Nook more

[embryo]

Originally Posted by dnastase

How about the lifetime of the battery ?

I have fully charged mine yesterday and did NOT use it at all.
Today it was fully depleted

I have to admit that I don't remember if I put it in standby or not.

It's very unfortunate that Android experience is not optimized for the reader as Nooks are.
With the nicer display and beefier hardware it should be a no-brainer which one to use.
But I find myself trusting the Nook more

As I already wrote, it is comparable with nickel, if you do comparable things (like only reading)...
...but then again, I have a different image of android, on a different hardware.

For me, it is a no-brainer which one to use.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by dnastase

How about the lifetime of the battery ?

I have fully charged mine yesterday and did NOT use it at all.
Today it was fully depleted

I have to admit that I don't remember if I put it in standby or not.

It's very unfortunate that Android experience is not optimized for the reader as Nooks are.
With the nicer display and beefier hardware it should be a no-brainer which one to use.
But I find myself trusting the Nook more

If you want to talk battery life, it's best to compare apples to apples (oops, wrong company!). Before getting my Aura HD, I had a Nook Simple Touch. It's still a fine eReader, if you don't need a built-in light. I rooted it, and battery life (meaning how long a charge lasted) suffered. Why? Play Store and other Google apps were running in the background.

In the case of the Aura HD, you have a) a nicer screen and beefier hardware, both of which need more power; b) Play Store and other Google apps (unless you freeze Play Store, like embryo did); c) a ROM that was designed for a similar, but not identical, device. That gives you, in essence, an E-Ink tablet running Gingerbread (Android 2.3) rather than a simple eReader, with battery life adjusting accordingly. As embryo said, if you use the Aura HD for reading only, battery life is comparable. If you use it as a tablet, battery life is more like a tablet (think Nexus 7).

I bought the Aura HD specifically because of this sdcard rooting option, and it has been a no-brainer for me. I can use several apps that focus on reading (like Instapaper) on an E-Ink screen. It makes some of my work easier, with less eye strain. There are also some good reader apps included, or given as links in the OP. Still, I often use my Nook for my Nook eBooks. I tried the Kobo reader on the Kobo firmware. The display is very nice, the lighting is very good, and you have plenty of options to customize your text. On the other hand, the Kobo reader has a few minor annoying glitches, like big gaps after some paragraphs, or page numbers appearing embedded in the book text. This is especially noticeable with imported ePubs. I'm hoping that the Kobo folks will refine their reader a little more.

[dnastase]

downeaster59, my motivation and desire to have Android on an e-ink device is the same as yours.
And I also have a Nook (Simple Touch Glowlight) and that's why I bought Aura HD: to beef up the hardware.

It sounds like I need to do more finetuning to the Android. Can you please tell me which image do you run ?

Just put out some number: I read last night with the backlight on for 2.5 hours and the battery on the NSTG moved only 7%.

[downeaster59]

Originally Posted by dnastase

downeaster59, my motivation and desire to have Android on an e-ink device is the same as yours.
And I also have a Nook (Simple Touch Glowlight) and that's why I bought Aura HD: to beef up the hardware.

It sounds like I need to do more finetuning to the Android. Can you please tell me which image do you run ?

Just put out some number: I read last night with the backlight on for 2.5 hours and the battery on the NSTG moved only 7%.

Sure. I use the image from Angor's blog on a microsd card on my Aura HD. It does use up battery much faster than the Kobo firmware does, or the NSTG, because of Play Store and other stuff. The best and simplest way I found to extend battery life - if all you want to do is read - is to turn off wifi. You can do that in "settings". (Sometimes wifi turns itself off!) Most of the stuff that burns up your battery does so only when wifi is actually on. So, only use wifi when you need to - to download an app or an eBook - and turn it off otherwise. That is simpler, I feel, than trying to freeze certain apps.

Your results with your NSTG are pretty typical. I think that if you turn off wifi on the Aura HD Android, you may get similar results when you read there.

If you'd like to use your Android Aura HD setup for reading eBooks more often, my favorite reader (so far) is Moon Reader. If you have Calibre set up with proper plug-ins on your desktop or laptop, and Calibre Companion on your Android Aura HD, you can get your eBooks onto the Android Aura HD by wifi and then read them in Moon (or whatever reader you prefer). Yurn wifi off before you start reading, and your battery with thank you!

[Afrosheen]

Have any of you guys been able to load BitTorrent Sync Android app on your device? I've got my library on my Mac, but I would like the ability to freely sync to the library without having to tether it first.

Thanks for the consideration.

[gpassero]

Can Angor00 or anyone else give me some tips on how I might be able to mod the Kobo Aura HD + Tolino Shine Android 2.3 config so that, while running Android, the light button press causes an eink screen refresh?

I think this would be a great feature, but I need some tips on how to go about doing it.

Also, a bit more complicated, but can anyone tell me how to change the Kobo Aura HD + Android setup so that it always boots Android unless the light button is pressed? (flip the polarity on the Android boot signal).