KOReader Latest Version Compatible with Boyue Likebook Mars

[Incanus]

Hello:

Which is the latest version of KOReader compatible with Boyue Likebook Mars?

• The version installed from Likebook Mars App Store is v2015.11
• The currently available version v2020.03.2 didn't work with my Likebook Mars, firmware v2.3.0

Awaiting your kind reply,

[INCANUS]

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by Incanus

Hello:

Which is the latest version of KOReader compatible with Boyue Likebook Mars?

• The version installed from Likebook Mars App Store is v2015.11
• The currently available version v2020.03.2 didn't work with my Likebook Mars, firmware v2.3.0

Awaiting your kind reply,

[INCANUS]

Why are you interessted in such buggy software?

[Incanus]

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Why are you interessted in such buggy software?

I'm trying to replace the Boyue Reader native software with some Android alternative. CoolReader it's rather cumbersome and has poor dictionary integration; I don't like MoonReader+; hence KOReader.

Can you help me?

[INCANUS]

[pazos]

Hi Incanus. The latest version is 2020.03.2. The version in the likebook store is rather old and we can't check if it was modified somehow.

We got reports of recent KO versions working on different Likebook devices, so it is probably the new FW which broke something but we need logs to confirm (and hopefully solve) that.

Copying from github:

Android won't have a crash.log file because Google restricts what apps can log, so you'll need to obtain logs using

adb logcat KOReader:I ActivityManager:* AndroidRuntime:* *:F

[pazos]

To see how a vendor can implement crappy changes on top of crappy firmware please look at https://github.com/koreader/koreader/issues/5075.

Of course the Likebook Mimas I played with (fw 1.x) was pretty ok and KO worked as nice as it worked on other platforms, albeit slower than kobos, kindles, etc

[Incanus]

Originally Posted by pazos

Of course the Likebook Mimas I played with (fw 1.x) was pretty ok and KO worked as nice as it worked on other platforms, albeit slower than kobos, kindles, etc

First of all, pazos: thank you for your prompt reply and attention.

With that (and both your previous posts) being said, considering the Boyue Likebook Mars a clearly "special" version of Android 6.0.1, what is the most (hmm) stable version of KOReader that you would recommend for this device?

Of course, I can always download each and every version, install them and see what happens... but I'd rather have your (I daresay) educated opinion first.

I do realize that the baseline version of Android compatible with KOReader may well be below 6.0... but there you have it: I need your advice.

Awaiting your kind reply,

[INCANUS]

[pazos]

Hi Incanus. On Likebook Mimas, Ares, Mars and Muses *with* firmware 1.x *any* recent version of KOReader should work. I would recommend stay with latest release version, which you can obtain from https://github.com/koreader/koreader/releases

On recent FW like yours I don't know. Nothing changed in (our) platform code that could explain why is not working. Hence I would suggest to attach logs here and lets us know.

If you installed the version from Likebook store first and updated to a recent version *without* issues during installation that would mean that the old version wasn't modified and is signed with the same key. If that was your case I would suggest to uninstall the program, remove the folder /sdcard/koreader and install the latest version directly from github (or any version hosted by f-droid) and see if that works. If that's not your case then please logs


KOReader works from 4.0 onwards, but 4.2 is recommended because older android versions are a pain to maintain.

[Incanus]

Originally Posted by pazos

If you installed the version from Likebook store first and updated to a recent version *without* issues during installation that would mean that the old version wasn't modified and is signed with the same key. If that was your case I would suggest to uninstall the program, remove the folder /sdcard/koreader and install the latest version directly from github (or any version hosted by f-droid) and see if that works. If that's not your case then please logs

I've haven't tried that approach, yet. So far:

• I've installed (from scratch) the latest version available from GitHub: doesn't work.
• I've installed (from scratch) the version available from Boyue App Store: works.
• I've not installed the latest version available from GitHub on top of the version available from Boyue App Store.

Originally Posted by pazos

KOReader works from 4.0 onwards, but 4.2 is recommended because older android versions are a pain to maintain.

As the matters stands, I' think I'll try installing (either from scratch or on top of etc.) versions backwards or earlier than from v2020.02, that is to say, prior to the latest Boyue Likebook Mars firmware update. Oh, joy.



I'll report on my results, if and when I have them.

I remain gratefully yours,

[INCANUS]

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by Incanus

I'm trying to replace the Boyue Reader native software with some Android alternative. CoolReader it's rather cumbersome and has poor dictionary integration; I don't like MoonReader+; hence KOReader.

Im using AlReader with Golden Dict.

[Incanus]

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Im using AlReader with Golden Dict.

I tried Golden Dict + CoolReader and I much more like the interface of KOReader and it's own StarDict dictionary use.

If I could work out the use of side load of fonts with multiple styles on Boyue Reader software, I probably would use just that and wouldn't bother to check KOReader, CoolReader or whatever else.

[INCANUS]

[Incanus]

Originally Posted by Incanus

So far:

• I've installed (from scratch) the latest version available from GitHub: doesn't work.
• I've installed (from scratch) the version available from Boyue App Store: works.
• I've not installed the latest version available from GitHub on top of the version available from Boyue App Store.

The last item actually worked: I installed v2020.03.2 (from GitHub) on top of the already installed v2015.11 (from Boyue App Store); after a reboot, the overwrite/update is now working perfectly on my Boyue Likebook Mars (firmware v2.3.0).

As "recipes for installation" go, this wasn't so bad: I'd like it to be more straightforward, for sure, but for the moment I'm content with the results and I hope that this will help other people in similar straits.

EDIT: I posted a summary of my experience on the KOReader forum, for better future reference.

Very grateful for all your attention and help,

[INCANUS]

[pazos]

Happy to hear that! It sounds *a bit* like black magic. That could explain why nobody raised an issue on github yet.

[Incanus]

Originally Posted by pazos

It sounds *a bit* like black magic.

It does indeed, I daresay

Originally Posted by pazos

That could explain why nobody raised an issue on github yet.

But then again, the case is now documented here on these forums; to pay back the community, in however a small way, for all the help I've received through the years is (no forum pun intended) good karma.



Once again, pazos: thanks for your all your patience and help.

Much obliged & Kind regards,

[INCANUS]

[ilyats]

I am usinf night builds of koreader on Likebook Muses and don't remember any problems with recent versions. Have you tried deleting koreader directory on the user storage volume? Maybe theold version has left there something that the new one doesn't like.

[Incanus]

Originally Posted by ilyats

Have you tried deleting koreader directory on the user storage volume? Maybe theold version has left there something that the new one doesn't like.

Indeed I tried that approach: uninstall, delete koreader dir, install from scratch using GitHub version: didn't work on Likebook Mars current/latest firmware.

Only thing that works (as of this firmware) is the above "recipe"

Kind regards,

[INCANUS]

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