Kobalt: an alternative reader app for Kobo devices - Page 10

JSWolf · 10-20-2026, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dal Bhat

Your health comes first.

Don't push it.

I agree.

fogice · 10-20-2026, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSilverstrike

Please be patient for a little while longer, thanks!

Your updates have come at a blazing speed so far. Even your "be patient" speed looks like it will be faster than I generally expect. Serve yourself first!

(Even though I'm super-eager for beta 4! The change log looks like I'll be able to switch full-time to Kobalt!)

howyoudoin · 10-20-2026, 02:52 PM

I just installed Kobalt on my Libra and love it! It’s easy on the eyes and has good aesthetics.

I have two requests -If possible, the old kindle progress bar at the bottom that had chapter markings as well. I think KOreader has that now. Second, the option to refresh the display every page turn.

Dal Bhat · 10-22-2026, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Header & footer customization should land in the next beta with a lowercase/uppercase toggle and plenty of customization options, as will plenty of other items discussed in this thread. I think you'll be pleased.

I hope .5 font sizes are included!

fogice · 10-22-2026, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dal Bhat

I hope .5 font sizes are included!

I can't find the comment, it was somewhere on the Kobalt Github, but he will be restoring 0.5 increments for the lower range of font sizes in the next beta.

MrSilverstrike · 10-22-2026, 05:13 PM

Here's what you can expect in beta 4 on Saturday or Sunday.

I'm currently validating the changes so I don't release a broken beta.

There's a lot of additions, so you should expect a few bugs here and there. It was the same with beta 1: people do things I didn't anticipate and thus, things break.

I plan on doing a quick follow up beta 5 release ASAP based on immediate feedback after 48 hours, if possible.

Especially text selection and text highlighting are probably going to be interesting, I think. Looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback.

(There's also a lot of new options in Settings for tinkerers.)

Sirtel · 10-22-2026, 05:17 PM

Two things I expected the most: remembering font settings and full refresh every page. Many thanks!

I was holding off until those, but now I'll install it.

Dal Bhat · 10-22-2026, 06:45 PM

What is the significance of refresh every page?

PeterT · 10-22-2026, 06:58 PM

Any plans for a new Android build?

mrmikey · 10-22-2026, 07:02 PM

Quote:

I'm currently validating the changes so I don't release a broken beta.

Well that's not right, it's supposed to break everything and freeze the reader, you obviously haven't been following Apples, Microsoft and Samsung releases LOL. Your betas are more stable that others actual releases.
Seriously tho, those companies have a lot to learn from you and your ethics. Keep up the good work.

DNSB · 10-22-2026, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dal Bhat

What is the significance of refresh every page?

Some people are very sensitive to the ghosting that can occur on a eInk display when a full refresh is not done. The number of pages between ghosting becoming noticeable for many people also varies depending on the design of the display with newer display supporting Regal waveform which allows stretching the full refresh period to more pages.

Sirtel · 10-22-2026, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

Some people are very sensitive to the ghosting that can occur on a eInk display when a full refresh is not done. The number of pages between ghosting becoming noticeable for many people also varies depending on the design of the display with newer display supporting Regal waveform which allows stretching the full refresh period to more pages.

For me, it's not ghosting. It's the text becoming gradually paler without a full refresh, which has always been happening with eink. For some reason, most people seem not to see this, but a few of us do.

MrSilverstrike · 10-23-2026, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

For me, it's not ghosting. It's the text becoming gradually paler without a full refresh, which has always been happening with eink. For some reason, most people seem not to see this, but a few of us do.

Yup, this is a thing. This is why I really like the "thickness" setting that Kobo offers that's present in Kobalt too. Bumping it up helps with this.

I can't stand the screen doing a full refresh every page, but it's nice as an option now for those who prefer it.

Sirtel · 10-23-2026, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSilverstrike

I can't stand the screen doing a full refresh every page, but it's nice as an option now for those who prefer it.

At first the black flash bothered me a bit, like for a minute or two

; pretty soon I no longer even saw it. My brain filters it out. Plus, modern ereaders turn pages quite fast even with full refresh. When I started with ebooks in 2011, page turns were much slower and the flash much more noticeable.

And yes, boldness/thickness adjustment is definitely important too.

mrmikey · 10-23-2026, 09:11 AM

Quote:

And yes, boldness/thickness adjustment is definitely important too.

Yes agree also. This and the Montserrat font negated me having to reload most of my books due to having the bionic font written to the file. It's still there but not visible.
For me, I found the font and weight is the perfect one for my reading.

10-20-2026, 02:52 PM	#138
howyoudoin how YOU doin? Posts: 1,112 Karma: 7371047 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: India Device: Kindle Keyboard, iPad Pro 10.5”, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Libra 2	I just installed Kobalt on my Libra and love it! It’s easy on the eyes and has good aesthetics. I have two requests -If possible, the old kindle progress bar at the bottom that had chapter markings as well. I think KOreader has that now. Second, the option to refresh the display every page turn. Last edited by howyoudoin; 10-21-2026 at 10:23 PM.

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10-22-2026, 05:13 PM	#141
MrSilverstrike Kobo Mod Maker Posts: 184 Karma: 1270810 Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: Belgium Device: Kobo Libra Color, Kobo Clara Color	Here's what you can expect in beta 4 on Saturday or Sunday. I'm currently validating the changes so I don't release a broken beta. There's a lot of additions, so you should expect a few bugs here and there. It was the same with beta 1: people do things I didn't anticipate and thus, things break. I plan on doing a quick follow up beta 5 release ASAP based on immediate feedback after 48 hours, if possible. Especially text selection and text highlighting are probably going to be interesting, I think. Looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback. (There's also a lot of new options in Settings for tinkerers.)

10-22-2026, 05:17 PM	#142
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 15,870 Karma: 251102463 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Two things I expected the most: remembering font settings and full refresh every page. Many thanks! I was holding off until those, but now I'll install it.

10-22-2026, 06:45 PM	#143
Dal Bhat दाल भात Posts: 176 Karma: 1656764 Join Date: Apr 2024 Device: Kindle 11th Gen; Clara BW	What is the significance of refresh every page?

10-22-2026, 06:58 PM	#144
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 14,178 Karma: 84699244 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	Any plans for a new Android build?