Clara HD anyone know how to disable the built-in web browser?

cbf123 · 12-31-2018, 10:54 AM

Hi,

Just got a Clara HD for my kids to use as a relatively safe reading device that can't hit up arbitrary websites like my tablet can. Then I discovered that it had a built-in web browser. Oops.

Anyways, I'm wondering whether anyone knows how to disable the built-in browser, or even which browser it is?

I'm pretty comfortable with Linux, so that part's no problem. Just want to avoid wasting time poking around.

Thanks a bunch!

Rickpcmp3 · 12-31-2018, 11:38 AM

Would like to know if it's possible on a Glo HD too?

Deskisamess · 12-31-2018, 11:44 AM

The browsers on e-ink devices are very sluggish, and won't load many web pages. I can't imagine a young person having the patience to use them. They are nothing like using a browser on a tablet or smart phone.

frostschutz · 12-31-2018, 01:22 PM

you could probably block internet access for the Kobo MAC address at your router

but then you lose kobo sync, pocket etc. too, not sure if you're prepared for that

you could use my WebPortal mod to create a cgi-bin script that reboots the Kobo, then set that as the homepage for the browser, so Kobo would reboot everytime the browser is started.

such is easily circumvented by editing the config file though, or by factory-reset

you could patch the kobo, provided someone able to make the patch, but if your kids know how to download firmware updates, that's gone too, and again by factory-reset

it's hard to come up with a watertight solution, is it worth it for some naked ladies in black & white? your kids will be seeing those in full color while at school anyway

theinfamousj · 12-31-2018, 01:42 PM

I will just weigh in as a parenting professional -- you presume your children don't have friends with parents who are less vigilant. All blocking the web browser on their tablet does is shoot their eyeballs over to Billy's tablet which is unblocked.

Do not replace the opportunity to be a parent and have a frank discussion about family values with a few lines of code. You want your kids to say to Billy, "No thanks. Not interested." right?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

geek1011 · 12-31-2018, 03:19 PM

Want a patch for this? I could either make it never think it's connected, or I could remove the entry from settings (but a limited version without an address bar can still be accessed through the wikipedia function / opening links in books).

cbf123 · 01-01-2019, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theinfamousj

I will just weigh in as a parenting professional -- you presume your children don't have friends with parents who are less vigilant. All blocking the web browser on their tablet does is shoot their eyeballs over to Billy's tablet which is unblocked.

Oh, I *know* there are kids with unblocked phones with full data plans at school. I was just hoping to add some basic protections on this device so that they could go read in their bedroom or wherever without me needing to be quite as alert.

Rickpcmp3 · 01-02-2019, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geek1011

Want a patch for this?

Yes please, for Glo HD.

geek1011 · 01-03-2019, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickpcmp3

Yes please, for Glo HD.

Ok, will do as soon as I get a chance. I'll probably either hide it or disable the button.

geek1011 · 01-03-2019, 11:45 AM

The patch is done and released in v39 for 4.12.12111+. For convenience, here it is (for libnickel.so.1.0.0.yaml):

Code:

Hide browser from beta features:
  - Enabled: no
  - Description: |
      Hides the built-in browser from beta features.
  # In N3SettingsExtrasView::N3ExtrasView(QWidget*):
  # hide the browser
  - ReplaceBytesNOP: {Offset: 0xA6E182, FindH: 18 B1}

Rickpcmp3 · 01-03-2019, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geek1011

The patch is done and released in v39 for 4.12.12111+. For convenience, here it is (for libnickel.so.1.0.0.yaml)[/CODE]

Thank you! I hope to try this, this weekend.

12-31-2018, 10:54 AM	#1
cbf123 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2018 Device: Kobo Clara HD	anyone know how to disable the built-in web browser? Hi, Just got a Clara HD for my kids to use as a relatively safe reading device that can't hit up arbitrary websites like my tablet can. Then I discovered that it had a built-in web browser. Oops. Anyways, I'm wondering whether anyone knows how to disable the built-in browser, or even which browser it is? I'm pretty comfortable with Linux, so that part's no problem. Just want to avoid wasting time poking around. Thanks a bunch!

01-03-2019, 11:45 AM	#10
geek1011 Wizard Posts: 2,735 Karma: 6990705 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Aura Edition 2 v1, Clara HD	The patch is done and released in v39 for 4.12.12111+. For convenience, here it is (for libnickel.so.1.0.0.yaml): Code: Hide browser from beta features: - Enabled: no - Description: \| Hides the built-in browser from beta features. # In N3SettingsExtrasView::N3ExtrasView(QWidget*): # hide the browser - ReplaceBytesNOP: {Offset: 0xA6E182, FindH: 18 B1}

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12-31-2018, 11:38 AM	#2
Rickpcmp3 Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2018 Device: Kobo Goo HD	Would like to know if it's possible on a Glo HD too?

12-31-2018, 11:44 AM	#3
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,609 Karma: 42697471 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 7+, iPad mini, 2021 iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8"	The browsers on e-ink devices are very sluggish, and won't load many web pages. I can't imagine a young person having the patience to use them. They are nothing like using a browser on a tablet or smart phone.

12-31-2018, 01:22 PM	#4
frostschutz Linux User Posts: 2,279 Karma: 6123806 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Device: none	you could probably block internet access for the Kobo MAC address at your router but then you lose kobo sync, pocket etc. too, not sure if you're prepared for that you could use my WebPortal mod to create a cgi-bin script that reboots the Kobo, then set that as the homepage for the browser, so Kobo would reboot everytime the browser is started. such is easily circumvented by editing the config file though, or by factory-reset you could patch the kobo, provided someone able to make the patch, but if your kids know how to download firmware updates, that's gone too, and again by factory-reset it's hard to come up with a watertight solution, is it worth it for some naked ladies in black & white? your kids will be seeing those in full color while at school anyway

12-31-2018, 01:42 PM	#5
theinfamousj Groupie Posts: 154 Karma: 2030000 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Kobo Glo (pink back)	I will just weigh in as a parenting professional -- you presume your children don't have friends with parents who are less vigilant. All blocking the web browser on their tablet does is shoot their eyeballs over to Billy's tablet which is unblocked. Do not replace the opportunity to be a parent and have a frank discussion about family values with a few lines of code. You want your kids to say to Billy, "No thanks. Not interested." right? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

12-31-2018, 03:19 PM	#6
geek1011 Wizard Posts: 2,735 Karma: 6990705 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Aura Edition 2 v1, Clara HD	Want a patch for this? I could either make it never think it's connected, or I could remove the entry from settings (but a limited version without an address bar can still be accessed through the wikipedia function / opening links in books).