Android on Kobo: "Tips and Apps"

[mr_nobody]

Originally Posted by embryo

There was an attempt, that started at this thread (message 92 and onwards), but since I don't own a Mini, I didn't follow it ...

Cheers, thanks for the pointer!

[lambstone]

I'm thinking of creating a dual boot for my Glo. However, some parts of the instructions confuse me.

The first thing you need to download the SD card image with Android for AuraHD, Glo, or Touch. To create a SD card from this image you need Flash Drive Image Writer and at least 8GB miсroSD card. You can use micro SD card up to 32GB, you only need to move the last two partitions to the end of the card and extend the first partition. After you create the card you'll need to delete the folder .kobo from the created SD card.

Does the above mean refer to the external sd card?

If not, and it refers to the internal sd card, doesn't that mean my current Nickel config and ebooks will be gone?

Now you are ready to install the patch that lets you run Android from the external SD. First we create a backup internal SD card. You need to install this patch (fix-udev-tgz.zip), otherwise the device won't see the external card, which will be used to save the backup. Connect your device to your computer through USB and unzip fix-udev-tgz.zip to the folder named .kobo which is located on the device. Next you need to safely unmount and disconnect the device from the computer. Then the device will be upgrading and rebooting. Creating a backup is a long process, it took me about 15 minutes.

Ok. From what I understand this means that it backs up your internal SD card to your currently inserted external sd card?

Now you have to download the main patch for AuraHD, Glo and Touch. Connect your device to your computer through USB and unzip dualboot-android-******.zip to the folder named .kobo which is located on the device. Next you need to safely unmount and disconnect the device from the computer. Then the device will be upgrading and rebooting. During the upgrade will be created backup, so be prepared for a long wait.

After the device will reboot you will be able to choose which system to boot. If you press the backlight button when the device turns on then Android will boot from the external SD card which was created earlier. If backlight button isn't pressed the standard firmware will boot from the internal SD.

What now? So am I at all messing with the Glo's built in sd card? Also, what's this backup? What backup is it for and how can it be restored if things go wrong?

[Lucas Malor]

Yes, yes and yes.
You can restore the completely original firmware using Kobo Desktop.

[embryo]

Originally Posted by lambstone

I'm thinking of creating a dual boot for my Glo. However, some parts of the instructions confuse me.

The first thing you need to download the SD card image with Android for AuraHD, Glo, or Touch. To create a SD card from this image you need Flash Drive Image Writer and at least 8GB miсroSD card. You can use micro SD card up to 32GB, you only need to move the last two partitions to the end of the card and extend the first partition. After you create the card you'll need to delete the folder .kobo from the created SD card.

Does the above mean refer to the external sd card?

If not, and it refers to the internal sd card, doesn't that mean my current Nickel config and ebooks will be gone?

It does refer to the external SD card, but there is no .kobo folder in the updated [MarekGibek's]+++ image.

Now you are ready to install the patch that lets you run Android from the external SD. First we create a backup internal SD card. You need to install this patch (fix-udev-tgz.zip), otherwise the device won't see the external card, which will be used to save the backup. Connect your device to your computer through USB and unzip fix-udev-tgz.zip to the folder named .kobo which is located on the device. Next you need to safely unmount and disconnect the device from the computer. Then the device will be upgrading and rebooting. Creating a backup is a long process, it took me about 15 minutes.

Ok. From what I understand this means that it backs up your internal SD card to your currently inserted external sd card?

Thats what it means, but it didn't happen for my Glo.
It doesn't really matters, so don't worry if you miss it.

Now you have to download the main patch for AuraHD, Glo and Touch. Connect your device to your computer through USB and unzip dualboot-android-******.zip to the folder named .kobo which is located on the device. Next you need to safely unmount and disconnect the device from the computer. Then the device will be upgrading and rebooting. During the upgrade will be created backup, so be prepared for a long wait.

After the device will reboot you will be able to choose which system to boot. If you press the backlight button when the device turns on then Android will boot from the external SD card which was created earlier. If backlight button isn't pressed the standard firmware will boot from the internal SD.

What now? So am I at all messing with the Glo's built in sd card? Also, what's this backup? What backup is it for and how can it be restored if things go wrong?

The backup image, is a backup of your internal SD card.
To restore it, you have to open up the device and access the internal SD.
But, if you do that, you can always create your own backup.
I never installed Kobo Desktop, but it would be great if you can 'factory reset' with that.
I use the direct approach (physical access to the SD card).

[lambstone]

Thanks for the advice guys. I got it setup and running.

Still have a couple more questions though, everytime I boot into KoboAndroid, it always scans for library additions, is there a way to disable it?

Also the nook simple touch had a norefresh hack for the eink display, is there a similar thing for KoboAndroid?

The Bitte warteen keeps on popping up too

[embryo]

Originally Posted by lambstone

Still have a couple more questions though, everytime I boot into KoboAndroid, it always scans for library additions, is there a way to disable it?

Its the Tolino reader that checks for books.
If you don't use it, you can uninstall it.
If you have the [MarekGibek's]+++ image, you can still connect to your PC with "Auto Mount Your SD Card".
If you use some other image, you can download it here.

Also the nook simple touch had a norefresh hack for the eink display, is there a similar thing for KoboAndroid?

What does this hack do?

The Bitte warteen keeps on popping up too

Something is crashing?

[lambstone]

Originally Posted by embryo

Its the Tolino reader that checks for books.
If you don't use it, you can uninstall it.
If you have the [MarekGibek's]+++ image, you can still connect to your PC with "Auto Mount Your SD Card".
If you use some other image, you can download it here.

What does this hack do?

Something is crashing?

The hack eliminates the typical eink refresh/screen flash

Also, when booting into nickel, it seems to take a lot longer. I've removed the KoboAndro SD card and still a long boot.

If there is no fix for the long boot how can I remove all traces of KoboAndro as I believe KoboAndro is responsible for the long boot into nickel

[embryo]

Originally Posted by lambstone

The hack eliminates the typical eink refresh/screen flash

I don't usually see flashes on my Glo.
As I said before, I use [MarekGibek's]+++ image that uses EPDRefresh app.
For info about how screen refreshes check here.

Also, when booting into nickel, it seems to take a lot longer. I've removed the KoboAndro SD card and still a long boot.

If there is no fix for the long boot how can I remove all traces of KoboAndro as I believe KoboAndro is responsible for the long boot into nickel

You can try to re-install the last firmware.
If that is not enough, you can try the 'Kobo Desktop' solution.

[lambstone]

Originally Posted by embryo

I don't usually see flashes on my Glo.
As I said before, I use [MarekGibek's]+++ image that uses EPDRefresh app.
For info about how screen refreshes check here.

You can try to re-install the last firmware.
If that is not enough, you can try the 'Kobo Desktop' solution.

I see that there is a KoboFirmware.img file. Can I just flash this image into internal mSD card? I really am not to keen to use Kobo Desktop

UDPATE: Yeah, it does work.

[csyaliverpool]

Hi guys I am new. Is there anyway to disable backlight? I tried running the script but the backlight turns back on whenever you wake the device from its sleep. many thanks in advanced

[embryo]

Originally Posted by csyaliverpool

Hi guys I am new. Is there anyway to disable backlight? I tried running the script but the backlight turns back on whenever you wake the device from its sleep. many thanks in advanced

Display brightness It control (and closes) the screen light.
You turn it all the way down to close the light, and it stays that way.
If you use the [MarekGibek's]+++ image, its already installed (its almost transparent on the left side of the screen)

[putzmcgee]

Hello,

Thanks for all the great work and information. Has anyone found a way to dual-boot into Android by default, instead of having to hold down the light button? I'm using an AuraHD. Thanks!

[Ankan]

How do I restore my Kobo Touch as from factory when I have patched the device with Android dual boot?
I don't have the autogenerated backup and after doing a factory reset in the Kobo -> Settings -> Device Information menu it starts up with Kobo OS 2.1.
Kobo Desktop close everytime it finds the device and the .Kobo directory is gone when connecting to computer. Maybe it don't like the old OS or the missing .Kobo directory.

Any suggestions?

[Ankan]

Problem solved!

I found the .Kobo directory on my external SD card so I added latest firmware version (3.3) and the device updated and I'am back to factory settings.

From begining the problem was that I tried to connect a GPS to ttymxc0 and the dualboot didn't like the GPS data at boot so it never booted.
If I connected the GPS to ttymxc1 or ttymxc2 the digitilizer didn't work but the device did boot.

Why didn't dualboot like the GPS data at boot?

[embryo]

Here is a link for an eInk optimized AlReader