Mini Kobo Mini best Hack/Mod

[_fact0tum_]

Hi all,
I'm new of the forum and I hope this is the right section.

I have a Kobo mini and I want to know the best mod/hack I can find for this device. (I sow the kobo-nightmode searching on internet).
The most important thing for me is "speed". I want a decent expirience when I use my e-reader.

Thank you and sorry for my english; I'm not a native speaker

[JSWolf]

The best patch/hack/mod is what's bet for you.

[Cootey]

Originally Posted by _fact0tum_

Hi all,
I'm new of the forum and I hope this is the right section.

I have a Kobo mini and I want to know the best mod/hack I can find for this device. (I sow the kobo-nightmode searching on internet).
The most important thing for me is "speed". I want a decent expirience when I use my e-reader.

Thank you and sorry for my english; I'm not a native speaker

I don't think there are any speed hacks. I haven't heard of them at least. But you can install NickelMenu on it, I believe, which is a bit like homebrewing it. You'll gain access to the root linux partition and can run third party utilities on it.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by _fact0tum_

I have a Kobo mini and I want to know the best mod/hack I can find for this device. (I sow the kobo-nightmode searching on internet).
The most important thing for me is "speed". I want a decent expirience when I use my e-reader.

As @Cootey said, there aren't any real speed hacks. But, were are you seeing speed issues? And what firmware version are you using?

But, about the only thing I can think of is to suggest using kepubs instead of epubs. Kepubs tend to be a little faster for page turning, but, the difference is less noticeable in recent firmware.

[geek1011]

I'd also recommend my NickelSeries mod if you read a lot of books in series. It adds series metadata support to the native import process. It works seamlessly, is low-maintenance, and is a lot more convenient than using Calibre or seriesmeta (but it's still compatible with them).

And, to add to what @davidfor said, kepubs also have features like Page Flip, which can be useful.

And, if you're seeing speed issues, I'd recommend updating the firmware to 3.19.5761, then to 4.4.9298, then to the newest kobo4 one. The newer firmware versions actually feel more responsive for me on the Mini. Plus, you'll need version newer than 4.6 if you want to use NickelMenu and NickelSeries.

[_fact0tum_]

Thank you for the answer, but I mean something that not affect the actual speed of the reader (a kobo mini is an old device and is not a "racing car" when it turn on for example)

But you can install NickelMenu on it, I believe, which is a bit like homebrewing it. You'll gain access to the root linux partition and can run third party utilities on it.

1. Thank you, where I can find a guide for install it on Kobo mini?
2. how I can have root access?
3. it whort it?
4. I found this, but there is a easy guide step by step?
https://github.com/pgaskin/NickelMenu

And what firmware version are you using?

Should be 4.26.16704 for Kobo Glo

suggest using kepubs instead of epubs

I have epub; could I convert it to kepubs?

I'd also recommend my NickelSeries mod if you read a lot of books in series.

OK, thank you, but I usually read one book at one. I prefer to focus on ont thing

And, if you're seeing speed issues, I'd recommend updating the firmware to 3.19.5761, then to 4.4.9298, then to the newest kobo4 one. The newer firmware versions actually feel more responsive for me on the Mini. Plus, you'll need version newer than 4.6 if you want to use NickelMenu and NickelSeries.

How I can download the last firmware? And how I can use NickelMenu/NickelSeries if I can upload only at 4.4.9298?

Thank you all

[koboy]

Originally Posted by _fact0tum_

Thank you for the answer, but I mean something that not affect the actual speed of the reader (a kobo mini is an old device and is not a "racing car" when it turn on for example)


1. Thank you, where I can find a guide for install it on Kobo mini?
2. how I can have root access?
3. it whort it?
4. I found this, but there is a easy guide step by step?
https://github.com/pgaskin/NickelMenu


Should be 4.26.16704 for Kobo Glo


I have epub; could I convert it to kepubs?


OK, thank you, but I usually read one book at one. I prefer to focus on ont thing


How I can download the last firmware? And how I can use NickelMenu/NickelSeries if I can upload only at 4.4.9298?

Thank you all

why don't you read a book first before you start hack/mod? i reckon many people if not most would be happy with the box standard software.

best wishes koboy

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by geek1011

And, if you're seeing speed issues, I'd recommend updating the firmware to 3.19.5761, then to 4.4.9298, then to the newest kobo4 one.

I understand the recommendation for 3.19.5761, but why 4.4.9298? Are the steps just recommendations of firmware to try and see if they like? Or is there something else? I would have suggested either stick with 3.19.5761 as that is the official version, or go straight to 4.26.16704.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by _fact0tum_

Thank you for the answer, but I mean something that not affect the actual speed of the reader (a kobo mini is an old device and is not a "racing car" when it turn on for example)


1. Thank you, where I can find a guide for install it on Kobo mini?
2. how I can have root access?
3. it whort it?
4. I found this, but there is a easy guide step by step?
https://github.com/pgaskin/NickelMenu


Should be 4.26.16704 for Kobo Glo

That would be what I would usually recommend. But, I don't have a Mini, so I don't have direct experience with it. But, it works well with my Touch which has roughly the same specs.

I have epub; could I convert it to kepubs?

Yes, you can and it is easy. If you use calibre, you can use the KoboTouchExtended driver to transform the books to kepub when they are being sent. There are also plugins to use the full conversion stream, but, they are not generally needed. You can also use kepubify to do it. That is probably the only choice if you do not use calibre. See the signature of @geek1011's post for the link to kepubify and most of the other mentioned tools.

OK, thank you, but I usually read one book at one. I prefer to focus on ont thing

If you only have one or a few books on the device, then don't worry about the performance outside of reading. Reducing the number of books on the device is one of the few things you can do to improve performance.

But, I don't know how you do it. I know I couldn't. Most of us here are trying to work out how many books we can get on the device. And some are trying to work out how to carry every book in the world at their fingertips.

How I can download the last firmware?

All the firmware downloads are listed at https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_Firmware_Releases.

[geek1011]

Originally Posted by davidfor

I understand the recommendation for 3.19.5761, but why 4.4.9298? Are the steps just recommendations of firmware to try and see if they like? Or is there something else? I would have suggested either stick with 3.19.5761 as that is the official version, or go straight to 4.26.16704.

I don't remember the exact version, but I remember running into issues when going straight from pre-v4 to the latest v4 when I did that last year.

[geek1011]

Originally Posted by _fact0tum_

1. Thank you, where I can find a guide for install it on Kobo mini?
2. how I can have root access?
3. it whort it?
4. I found this, but there is a easy guide step by step?
https://github.com/pgaskin/NickelMenu

1. It's the same process for all Kobo devices. You download it into the .kobo folder (you may have to show hidden folders), then you add your desired items to the config file which it creates on reboot.
2. All commands in it run with root access. But, is there something specific you want it for?
3. It depends if you want to use the features it provides. Some of the popular ones include adding an Invert Screen option to the reader menu, adding a USB connection option to the main menu so you don't need to unplug and plug it back in if you want to connect twice or on buggy USB ports, adding Telnet/FTP menu items, and creating quick links to the beta features.
4. There is more information about how to configure it in the documentation file and the MR thread.

Should be 4.26.16704 for Kobo Glo

Yes

I have epub; could I convert it to kepubs?

Kepubify and/or Calibre can do it.

On a related note, kepubify will get a full-featured web version, a new website with easier instructions and a cleaner design, and a 4-6x speed improvement in v4 next week.

OK, thank you, but I usually read one book at one. I prefer to focus on ont thing

Note that the book management on the recent firmware versions is much better than on 3.x.

How I can download the last firmware? And how I can use NickelMenu/NickelSeries if I can upload only at 4.4.9298?

As davidfor said, you can find it on the firmware page in the wiki. I also have a firmware page linked in my signature.

[_fact0tum_]

Thank you for all the answers. I have some problem now and I hope to answer back ASAP.
Thank you again

[_fact0tum_]

Thank you all, sorry for the late reply but I had some personal problem.
Anyway here is my answer and thank you again.

why don't you read a book first before you start hack/mod? i reckon many people if not most would be happy with the box standard software.

That would be what I would usually recommend. But, I don't have a Mini, so I don't have direct experience with it. But, it works well with my Touch which has roughly the same specs.

Both of you are right. After the upgrade to 4.26.16704 firmware the Mini work fine; but I'm curios XD

Kepubify and/or Calibre can do it.
On a related note, kepubify will get a full-featured web version, a new website with easier instructions and a cleaner design, and a **4-6x speed improvement in v4 next week**.

If you only have one or a few books on the device, then don't worry about the performance outside of reading. Reducing the number of books on the device is one of the few things you can do to improve performance.

Ok, so I don't need to converto do Kepubs, but I can give a try to Kepubify and/or Calibre

As davidfor said, you can find it on the firmware page in the wiki. I also have a firmware page linked in my signature.

I can not see your signature

1. It's the same process for all Kobo devices. You download it into the .kobo folder (you may have to show hidden folders), then you add your desired items to the config file which it creates on reboot.
2. All commands in it run with root access. But, is there something specific you want it for?
3. It depends if you want to use the features it provides. Some of the popular ones include adding an Invert Screen option to the reader menu, adding a USB connection option to the main menu so you don't need to unplug and plug it back in if you want to connect twice or on buggy USB ports, adding Telnet/FTP menu items, and creating quick links to the beta features.
4. There is more information about how to configure it in the documentation file and the MR thread.

1. OK, but there is a guide step-by-step already ready? Don't waste time to write it
2. No, just becouse I'm curious (I understood that I cannot increase speed with that)
3. The Invert screen option looks interesting
4. MR thread? Where is it? Sorry I don't get it


Have a nice day all and thank you

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by _fact0tum_

4. MR thread? Where is it? Sorry I don't get it.

I suspect @geek1011 was referring to the MobileRead (MR) thread where most NickelMenu discussion happens. See: NickelMenu: An integrated launcher for Kobo eReaders for that thread.

[dani1887]

Hello good!
I have had a Kobo Aura H2O for years and I always get the itch to have a Kobo Mini. Well today was that happy day. I already knew that the firmware of the Mini stopped development a long time ago.
From what I see here, can you install the firmware of another Kobo device, as long as it is mark4? Or by doing this I'm going to end up with a nice paperweight?