09-09-2019, 02:21 PM | #1 |
Member
Posts: 21
Karma: 10
Join Date: Aug 2019
Device: None
|
Installing Android on Kobo Forma
How easy is it to install Android on the Kobo Forma or their latest ereader? I read some posts from 2014 which talked about installing Android on the SD card to avoid bricking the reader.
Have other been able to use to install and use the Kindle Android app? Thanks Last edited by Like_to_read; 09-09-2019 at 02:26 PM. |
09-09-2019, 02:39 PM | #2 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,735
Karma: 6990705
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Ontario, Canada
Device: Kobo Mini, Aura Edition 2 v1, Clara HD
|
It hasn't been done for a while AFAIK. But, if you need Amazon, you'd be better off with a Kindle.
|
Advert | |
|
09-09-2019, 03:37 PM | #3 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,841
Karma: 22003124
Join Date: Aug 2014
Device: Kobo Forma, Kobo Sage, Kobo Libra 2
|
Another easier alternative if you like the Kobo hardware more is to remove the drm from Amazon books. Then convert them to ePub or kepub.
If you don’t like the Kobo reading UI you can install KOreader. |
09-09-2019, 03:57 PM | #4 |
BLAM!
Posts: 13,477
Karma: 26012494
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Paris, France
Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E
|
And you probably won't be hearing about it any time soon because external SD card slots went the way of the dodo.
Also, Android on eInk is a... questionable choice. (Also, pain). |
09-11-2019, 01:25 AM | #5 | |
Bibliophagist
Posts: 35,428
Karma: 145525534
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vancouver
Device: Kobo Sage, Forma, Clara HD, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos
|
Quote:
|
|
Advert | |
|
09-11-2019, 05:14 AM | #6 |
Fanatic
Posts: 509
Karma: 60774
Join Date: Aug 2013
Device: Kobo Glo, GloHD
|
|
09-11-2019, 05:54 PM | #7 |
Bibliophagist
Posts: 35,428
Karma: 145525534
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vancouver
Device: Kobo Sage, Forma, Clara HD, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos
|
As I said, the only person I knew who installed Android. Admittedly, he lifted an idea from Ken Maltby and added a hatch to his Aura HD to allow easy access to the internal uSD card.
|
09-11-2019, 10:35 PM | #8 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,827
Karma: 10700629
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Canada
Device: Onyx Nova
|
|
09-11-2019, 10:37 PM | #9 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,827
Karma: 10700629
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Canada
Device: Onyx Nova
|
I installed Android on the original 6.8 Kobo. It was horrible. Very slow. I reccommend Koreader instead.
|
09-12-2019, 05:34 AM | #10 |
Fanatic
Posts: 509
Karma: 60774
Join Date: Aug 2013
Device: Kobo Glo, GloHD
|
|
09-12-2019, 09:40 AM | #11 |
Zealot
Posts: 147
Karma: 6295710
Join Date: Oct 2012
Device: none
|
Another option might be a Tolino ebook-reader, whose firmware is based on Android. (The current firmware uses Android 4.4, I believe.)
Since 2017 all new Tolino ereaders are developed by Kobo, based on existing Kobo devices. Meaning you can now get Tolino branded devices, that have an almost identical hardware as their Kobo counterparts, but with an Android based OS instead of Linux. So far Tolino has released the "Tolino Shine 3" based on the Kobo Clara HD and the "Tolino Epos" based on the Kobo Aura One. Another Tolino version (either based on the Kobo Libra H2O or Forma) is expected to be announced next month (october) at the annual book fair in Frankfurt. |
09-14-2019, 12:24 PM | #12 | |
Member
Posts: 21
Karma: 10
Join Date: Aug 2019
Device: None
|
Quote:
How easy is it to sideload Android apps on the Tolino? I would be looking at the larger Epos model. Have you or others tried using the Kindle app on the Tolino? Thanks |
|
09-15-2019, 03:44 AM | #13 |
Zealot
Posts: 147
Karma: 6295710
Join Date: Oct 2012
Device: none
|
It is not the easiest option, since you first have to root / unlock the device. (Which can be tricky, especially with the latest firmware.)
Actually looking back on it now, I should not have recommended this... If you want to try Android on an ebook reader, the best option at the moment are the devices from Likebook or Onyx. They run an already opened Android version (6.0) and have much more powerfull hardware. Take a look at the Likebook Mars or the Likebook Muses. |
09-15-2019, 03:05 PM | #14 | |
Member
Posts: 21
Karma: 10
Join Date: Aug 2019
Device: None
|
That's very good to know.
Would you recommend Likebook or Onyx? I had looked at them earlier but was concerned by the lack of info on the company making them. There are a couple of postings in the Onyx forum which talk about how there are two versions - Russian and Chinese and it's not clear why there are 2 different source codes. Have you looked at the privacy and security issues with using a devices made by LikeBook or Onyx? Thanks Quote:
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Tolino Android for Kobo Aura/Aura 2/Aura H2O | honeywhite | Kobo Developer's Corner | 1 | 10-30-2018 04:11 PM |
Aura Port Android to Kobo Aura One | thisvip | Kobo Developer's Corner | 0 | 10-18-2016 02:14 AM |
Installing android on kobo glo | Mttdette | Kobo Developer's Corner | 5 | 06-29-2016 12:03 PM |
(Newbie) Need Help installing Koreader with Kobo Aura | bear23 | KOReader | 1 | 06-12-2016 01:05 PM |
Installing Android Market on the Kobo Vox | borisb | Kobo Tablets | 38 | 11-23-2011 12:24 AM |