Firmware 4.37.21586

[julian67]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

In older firmwares, inverting the screen required a reboot. Are you saying it doesn't require a reboot anymore, or even after rebooting the screen would not invert on older firmwares for you?

Yes, exactly that. I keep the firmware up to date and finally with this firmware it is possible to invert without reboot. There have even been earlier firmwares where invert didn't work at all, reboot or no reboot. And some firmwares where it worked but only after a reboot. Now it finally works simply by toggling it in developer options, no reboot required.

[allanahk]

Originally Posted by booklover6

I enabled the "block wifi upgrade" patch but I don't think it installed before this version forced it's way in. So annoying. I just started the Plus trial so I have to turn on wifi. Hopefully the freshly patched device will not upgrade tomorrow or whenever they send an update out!

I had the same issue - downgraded to 4.25 on Friday (was having lag issues with 4.27) and enabled "block wifi upgrade" in the patches, but somehow woke up to my patches gone and my kobo on 4.37.21586. Weird...

Anyway, I hope this is the last update for a while - getting tired of constantly repatching

Thanks geek1011 as always!

[John F]

Originally Posted by julian67

Yes, exactly that. I keep the firmware up to date and finally with this firmware it is possible to invert without reboot. There have even been earlier firmwares where invert didn't work at all, reboot or no reboot. And some firmwares where it worked but only after a reboot. Now it finally works simply by toggling it in developer options, no reboot required.

And some firmwares where you didn't need to reboot (although you may have had to exit the current read, I forget.)

[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by allanahk

I had the same issue - downgraded to 4.25 on Friday (was having lag issues with 4.27) and enabled "block wifi upgrade" in the patches, but somehow woke up to my patches gone and my kobo on 4.37.21586.

I wonder if it's possible to block updates by either blacklisting an address in your router or using the hosts file on the Kobo. The patch to block updates does warn that it might not actually work, since nobody can test it until the next firmware comes out.

[hatuluang]

Originally Posted by julian67

Yes, exactly that. I keep the firmware up to date and finally with this firmware it is possible to invert without reboot. There have even been earlier firmwares where invert didn't work at all, reboot or no reboot. And some firmwares where it worked but only after a reboot. Now it finally works simply by toggling it in developer options, no reboot required.

After the update to the recent firmware (4.37.21586), my Clara 2E can invert without reboot, however, it should be swapped orientation (portrait or landscape) to make the screen switch.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

I wonder if it's possible to block updates by either blacklisting an address in your router or using the hosts file on the Kobo. The patch to block updates does warn that it might not actually work, since nobody can test it until the next firmware comes out.

Unlike Kindle (or Android or iOS possibly?) there is no need. You can go back easily, though usually not to an earlier FW than was supplied at model launch and bigger steps back might corrupt database (sign out and sign in to reset that).
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https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html

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[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by Quoth

You can go back easily

This is only true if you have and know how to use a computer. It would be nice if there were a reliable way to block updates for all the non-tech savvy parents and grandparents out there who want to use a Kobo with minimal likelihood of firmware updates breaking things.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

This is only true if you have and know how to use a computer. It would be nice if there were a reliable way to block updates for all the non-tech savvy parents and grandparents out there who want to use a Kobo with minimal likelihood of firmware updates breaking things.

There is a patch for that... but somebody has to apply it...

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

This is only true if you have and know how to use a computer. It would be nice if there were a reliable way to block updates for all the non-tech savvy parents and grandparents out there who want to use a Kobo with minimal likelihood of firmware updates breaking things.

The younger users don't have WiFi passwords, so turning on WiFi does nothing. That's a clue.
If you don't have a computer why have you wiFi? An Android tablet or phone with a host/OTG mode, €5 adapter and a filemanager can also apply FW from https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html

But how do you apply a patch if you have no conputer or don't understand? Applying patches is more complicated than FW download and copy.

[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

There is a patch for that... but somebody has to apply it...

As somebody pointed out earlier in this thread, the patch doesn't necessarily work.

Originally Posted by Quoth

But how do you apply a patch if you have no conputer or don't understand?

Their kids can do the initial setup, but they won't necessarily be around to fix problems later, hence the desire to prevent potentially bad updates so that things continue running smoothly for as long as possible.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

This is only true if you have and know how to use a computer. It would be nice if there were a reliable way to block updates for all the non-tech savvy parents and grandparents out there who want to use a Kobo with minimal likelihood of firmware updates breaking things.

If you don't know about computers, you are unlikely to understand firmware.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

As somebody pointed out earlier in this thread, the patch doesn't necessarily work.

Actually, there are two different patches that address this. The other, which presents a pop-up allowing the user to accept or refuse the firmware download/install, works well and is a sure thing.

[Aleron Ives]

How often does the pop-up window appear? Is it every time you sync or more frequently than that? It could get pretty annoying if it nags you to update every time you try to read a book.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by julian67

Yes, exactly that. I keep the firmware up to date and finally with this firmware it is possible to invert without reboot. There have even been earlier firmwares where invert didn't work at all, reboot or no reboot. And some firmwares where it worked but only after a reboot. Now it finally works simply by toggling it in developer options, no reboot required.

Interesting. A quick test on my Sage and Clara HD required me to reboot before the screen would invert. Dark mode which just inverts text while reading worked as usual without a reboot.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by Aleron Ives

How often does the pop-up window appear? Is it every time you sync or more frequently than that? It could get pretty annoying if it nags you to update every time you try to read a book.

From my limited experience, every time you sync. I declined several times. Then hooked it up to my computer. I happened to notice 2 update files in .kobo. After I ejected, it updated. So I probably could have deleted the files and saved myself the hassle of an unasked for upgrade.