Firmware 4.38.23828

[tschucha]

Firmware version 4.38.23828 is showing up as the latest version from September 2026 for a bunch of Kobos including the Elipsa 2E and Sage on the Kobo Firmware download page. This update apparently include the new clock feature. Given all of the rigamarole on the 6.0.274403 release - is this release also a beta release and is it actually safe enough for everyday usage?

[Apollyon202]

I haven't installed it and I don't think I will, but this is probably a preparatory update for the next firmware version.
I've seen this for days now on Patrick's site, but there was no automatic thread created for it here, and nobody mentioned it either.
Have you installed it?

[tschucha]

Originally Posted by Apollyon202

I haven't installed it and I don't think I will, but this is probably a preparatory update for the next firmware version.
I've seen this for days now on Patrick's site, but there was no automatic thread created for it here, and nobody mentioned it either.
Have you installed it?

I haven't installed it because of the many caveats mentioned in the 6.0 threads but I've been waiting for the clock feature to arrive for quite a while now. I'm using nickleclock currently but would prefer to run the stock firmware. I'm wanting to see what the experiences are from more adventurous souls before diving in

[rantanplan]

I'm not using my Sage anyway, so I'll test it for you

EDIT
I didn't realize it's on the server for all devices...

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by tschucha

Firmware version 4.38.23828 is showing up as the latest version from September 2026 for a bunch of Kobos including the Elipsa 2E and Sage on the Kobo Firmware download page. This update apparently include the new clock feature. Given all of the rigamarole on the 6.0.274403 release - is this release also a beta release and is it actually safe enough for everyday usage?

4.38.23828 is not a beta and it's OK to install. If it wasn't OK, we'd have posts about it not being good.

[rantanplan]

I have installed it on the Sage and the Aura H2O and I cannot find any option to enable a clock.

What I have noticed though is that if you send your device to sleep while a book is open, it doesn't show the cover. As soon as you leave the book and send your device to sleep the cover is shown again.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by tschucha

Firmware version 4.38.23828 is showing up as the latest version from September 2026 for a bunch of Kobos including the Elipsa 2E and Sage on the Kobo Firmware download page. This update apparently include the new clock feature. Given all of the rigamarole on the 6.0.274403 release - is this release also a beta release and is it actually safe enough for everyday usage?

It's the 6.0 release that has a clock.

[tschucha]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's the 6.0 release that has a clock.

The notes for the release (at least for the Elipsa 2E) Say:

Libby (OverDrive)

• Important: After updating, you'll need to link your library card again; go to Discover > Libby to get started.

• Renamed OverDrive to Libby.

• Libby is available in select regions; see help.kobo.com for more details.


Annotations & Markups

• This update introduces a new renderer to display eBooks. This may slightly change the layout of the pages for eBooks already on your device.

• Stylus markups may appear as a thumbnail rather than directly on the page. Tap the note icon in the margin to preview the original markup and page layout.

• Your stylus markups are saved and continue to be available in the Annotations list across your connected Kobo eReaders and the Kobo Books App for iOS and Android.


The StoryGraph

• StoryGraph lets you track your reading habits, share ratings and reviews, plan future reading, and participate in reading challenges.

• Connect your Kobo account to sync your reading activity directly to StoryGraph.

• Visit kobo.com/storygraph to learn more and get started.


Adobe sign in

• If you use Adobe DRM books, you can sign into your account directly on your eReader

• Note: Adobe Digital Editions now uses ByteBooks for sign-in. Visit dtsbytebooks.com/transition-help to learn more, set up your account, or get support.

• To sign in on your eReader, go to More > Settings > Accounts > Adobe.

• Once signed in, you can add Adobe DRM license files (.ascm) to your eReader, then open them in My Books.


Wi Fi WPS (Wi Fi Protected Setup)

• Connect to a new Wi Fi network using WPS to join without entering a password.

• If available on your router, go to Join a Wi Fi Network > Connect via WPS, then press the WPS button on your router.


More

• Clock: You can now display a clock while reading. Turn this on or off via Reading Settings.

• Bluetooth: Turning on Bluetooth no longer causes Wi Fi to turn on.

• Notebooks: When creating a notebook on stylus-compatible devices, a default name is pre-filled so you can create the notebook faster and rename it later.

• PDF rendering: Kobo Clara Colour and Kobo Clara BW use a new renderer for DRM-free PDFs.

• eBook rendering: EPUBs & Kobo EPUBs (KEPUBs) now share the same rendering engine.

• Accessibility: Large Print Mode has moved to More > Settings > Accessibility.

[rantanplan]

I think these are the wrong Release Notes as none of the options are available for me. E.g. OverDrive is still labeled overdrive etc.

[xyclonei]

This seem to be the release notes (link).

These recent enhancements are now available even without updating your eReader to this new version:

Store
• Buying books directly on your eReader is now easier: we've resolved payment verification issues that were impacting this experience for some customers.


The StoryGraph
• StoryGraph lets you track your reading habits, share ratings and reviews, plan future reading, and participate in reading challenges
• Connect your Kobo account to sync your reading activity directly to StoryGraph
• Visit kobo.com/storygraph to learn more and get started

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by rantanplan

I think these are the wrong Release Notes as none of the options are available for me. E.g. OverDrive is still labeled overdrive etc.

Or that could be just for the Elipsa 2E.

[rantanplan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Or that could be just for the Elipsa 2E.

Unfortunately I don’t have one to confirm.

[xyclonei]

All the patches that I had for 4.38.23697 seem to work with 4.38.23828 except for Never show Kobo Plus, wishlist, and points SmartLinks.

The updated offsets below seem to work:

Never show Kobo Plus, wishlist, and points SmartLinks:
  - Enabled: no
  - PatchGroup: SmartLink
  - Description: Removes Kobo Plus, wishlist, and points SmartLinks from the rotation.
  - BaseAddress: "ActivityManager::smartLinkGeneralMessage(Device const&)"
  # NOP Kobo Plus (2):
  - ReplaceBytes: {Offset: 310, FindH: 02 23, CheckOnly: true} # MOVS r3, #2
  - ReplaceBytes: {Offset: 320, FindInstBLX: {SymPLT: "QVector<SmartLinkType>::append(SmartLinkType const&)"}, ReplaceInstNOP: true}
  # NOP wishlist (14):
  - ReplaceBytes: {Offset: 218, FindH: 0E 23, CheckOnly: true} # MOVS r3, #14
  - ReplaceBytes: {Offset: 228, FindInstBLX: {SymPLT: "QVector<SmartLinkType>::append(SmartLinkType const&)"}, ReplaceInstNOP: true}
  # NOP super points (17):
  - ReplaceBytes: {Offset: 430, FindH: 11 23, CheckOnly: true} # MOVS r3, #17
  - ReplaceBytes: {Offset: 440, FindInstBLX: {SymPLT: "QVector<SmartLinkType>::append(SmartLinkType const&)"}, ReplaceInstNOP: true}

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Or that could be just for the Elipsa 2E.

That What's New would be the Elipsa 2E with v6.0 firmware. Current v6.0 firmware releases are all for devices with the MediaTek 8113 chipset.