Why jailbreak the Kindle?

[haertig]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

What Kobo software would that be?

The koreader software that allows you to read Kobo books on a Kindle.

I should have said "the software that allows you to read Kobo books", but I thought everybody would know what I meant with my shortened verbiage "Kobo software".

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by haertig

The koreader software that allows you to read Kobo books on a Kindle.

I should have said "the software that allows you to read Kobo books", but I thought everybody would know what I meant with my shortened verbiage "Kobo software".

Well, as melksnor pointed out, koreader was originally written for the kindle, which makes the phrase "run Kobo software" disconcerting. (And it started out as a PDF reader with better features and functionality than the built in kindle PDF reader.) EPUB is available from many more places than Kobo, so I don't know why it would be expected to be understood that that "run Kobo software" meant "read EPUB books".

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by haertig

Then there's the constant diligence required so that your Kindle doesn't accidentally get updated. Maybe an update adds new features that you'd love to have, but you can't get to those because you're too worried about unjailbreaking your jailbreak, so you don't do the update.

You only need constant diligence if you're interested in actually running and installing newer firmware. If not, then you just toggle a switch once and never have to worry about the device auto-updating.

I've got non-JB PW3 and PW4 used for reading Kindle Unlimited borrows and Kindle purchases that I allow to auto-update. Thus far, there hasn't been any features that are worth losing JB for on the Kindles I use exclusively with side-loaded content.

Jailbreak gives me the benefit of semi-automatic collection generation with Calibre for side-loaded content. This is the primary reason I jailbroke my Kindle in the first place. Discovering KOReader came later.

KOReader means I can just read CBZ manga (renamed DeDRMed Nook and Kobo EPUB, Humble Bundle CBZ, etc) without needing to convert with Kindle Comic Converter. Calibre sucks at converting comics. KOReader also allows on-the-fly gamma adjustments. No more need to wait for conversion and keep two different formats of the same manga taking up a lot of space on my drive. No need to review if the conversion went well either given KCC can sometimes be overzealous at cropping and gamma adjustment.

KOReader also gives me the ability to easily download ebooks wireless from Calibre OPDS server. Dropbox and FTP, too.

[haertig]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

Well, as melksnor pointed out, koreader was originally written for the kindle, which makes the phrase "run Kobo software" disconcerting. (And it started out as a PDF reader with better features and functionality than the built in kindle PDF reader.) EPUB is available from many more places than Kobo, so I don't know why it would be expected to be understood that that "run Kobo software" meant "read EPUB books".

My understanding of koreader was flawed then. I always thought it was designed to read Kobo books first and foremost. Now I know better. (I have never used it myself.)

Thanks!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

To aggressively seek out and destroy third party developer keys.

That is not a policy. Amazon is fixing the flaws in the firmware. Just because these flaws are what were used to jailbreak doe snot make it a policy.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by melksnor

Same could be said for a physical book. When I am reading a book, it's part of my world for a while, and seeing the actual cover of it was something I was missing. Every time I pick it up, put it down or walk by I see it, and I like that.

You are reading. You finish reading. You close the cover. The Kindle goes to sleep. You open the cover. The Kindle wakes up. You barely see the sleep image.

I personally liked staying with Kindle as they proved to have excellent hardware and battery life.

I'm going on 6 years 2 months with my Kobo Aura H2O and the battery is still working pretty good. The hardware is better then any Kindle PW and the battery as good if not better.

[JSWolf]

So what would you do if you buy a PW4 that can no longer be jailbroken or want a larger screen? Do you still buy a Kindle or do you buy a Kobo?

[melksnor]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You are reading. You finish reading. You close the cover. The Kindle goes to sleep. You open the cover. The Kindle wakes up. You barely see the sleep image.

I don't use a sleep/awake cover, most of the time the cover is folded back and I do see the book image all the time. I can see it with a turn of my head right now. Besides, I don't understand why people are so adamant to say I am wrong. I enjoy it, others enjoy it. It's not for you, that's fine. No need to argue about it. I am just answering OP's question with the reasons I liked to do the jailbreak process.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So what would you do if you buy a PW4 that can no longer be jailbroken or want a larger screen? Do you still buy a Kindle or do you buy a Kobo?

I'll not be buying any 6" reader for quite some time. My last purchase was a Kindle 5 non-touch. The best thing about these devices is that they don't need a upgrade for so long. I'll assess the landscape of devices when that time comes. I imagine some new features like color might make an impact on the decision process too at that time.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'm going on 6 years 2 months with my Kobo Aura H2O and the battery is still working pretty good. The hardware is better then any Kindle PW and the battery as good if not better.

That's great to hear, I only said what I said because I had no experience myself with Kobo at the time. I felt Kindle was a safe bet. It's good to hear positive feedback from a Kobo user

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You are reading. You finish reading. You close the cover. The Kindle goes to sleep. You open the cover. The Kindle wakes up. You barely see the sleep image.

I don't use a cover at all. I just have a neoprene sleeve when I need to transport it in my purse or backpack.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So what would you do if you buy a PW4 that can no longer be jailbroken or want a larger screen? Do you still buy a Kindle or do you buy a Kobo?

Originally Posted by melksnor

I'll not be buying any 6" reader for quite some time. My last purchase was a Kindle 5 non-touch. The best thing about these devices is that they don't need a upgrade for so long. I'll assess the landscape of devices when that time comes. I imagine some new features like color might make an impact on the decision process too at that time.

Agreed. I see no reason to another 6" e-ink reader at this point. All the hardware improvements I wanted are already available on the PW3 and PW4 (backlight, 300 ppi min pixel density, more storage for manga).

I also have a Kobo Libra H2O. I haven't been using that though since I accidentally clicked on yes when it asked to update and I haven't been able to re-patch it since.

By contrast, I've been able to completely disable OTA updates on the PW3 and PW4 with a simple toggle after jailbreaking and installing add-ons.

When the Libra was patched, I was pretty happy with it. The only reason I would want to replace it is if Kobo releases a similar device with more storage.

[melksnor]

For the fun of it, I made a gif of the screen turning off and on:

https://gfycat.com/glossybadalligatorgar

The gif also also points out one more KOReader pro: actual page count!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

I also have a Kobo Libra H2O. I haven't been using that though since I accidentally clicked on yes when it asked to update and I haven't been able to re-patch it since.

Why haven't you been able to patch your Libra? There are patches for the current firmware.

If you need help, you just have to ask and you will get help.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why haven't you been able to patch your Libra? There are patches for the current firmware.

If you need help, you just have to ask and you will get help.

My old Windows 7 desktop died (hardware issue) and I haven't set up the replacement yet. I have all my hacking stuff including links, scripts and my kobopatch config files for Aura HD, Glo HD and Libra H2O on that.

It just hasn't been a priority to repatch when I have several iPads and JB Kindles I can use for reading.