Firmware 3.16.0 Discussion

davidfor · 06-10-2015, 08:51 PM

Kobo has released firmware version 3.16.0. It is being released for the Touch and Glo HD. It should start appearing on some devices today, but Kobo will be doing their usual staged release, so it might be days or weeks before everyone receives it.

The release notes are:

Design Updates: Your Kobo Touch now features the new look and feel of the Kobo eReader software.
Search Improvements: You can now search current reads, annotations, and dictionaries more easily
Quick Wi Fi Settings: Tap the Wi Fi icon in the status bar to access the new Wi Fi menu.

The first point will only be shown on the Touch. The Touch changes are to bring its interface in to line with the other devices. For anyone who installed 3.15.0 on the Touch, the Beta Features (except Chess) are back.

Note: This is the first time for a while that the update package for the N905 and N905B Touch include the u-boot and uImage files. If you sideload this firmware onto one of these, make sure you include the complete package.

The search changes are the biggest. As well as the existing "Bookstore" and "Library" searches, you can also select to search from the five most recent books, all annotations and the dictionaries. The results list display the details of the match and can be view by tapping the item. The search also maintains a list of recent search strings that can be selected. Note: Due to license issues, some dictionaries can't be search.

The WiFi changes are the icon in the header can be tapped to display a list of available networks. If connected to one, a tick will indicate this. The WiFi can be turned on and off by tapping the indicator at the top of the popup and there is a link to the main WiFi settings at the bottom. The main system dropdown also shows the name of the connected network.

Some smaller changes that were included and mentioned in the betas were:

Improved 'Related reading' tab on Book details screens
Renamed 'Document Default' font to 'Publisher Default'
Improved EPUB performance - I can't comment as I didn't see the performance degradation that some others saw with 3.15.0.
Improved hyphenation handling - kepub and epub and should improve all languages.
New checkout flow arrives for Kobo Touch
Fixed some timing issues in which the device could stay in a black-and-white-only mode instead of greyscale
Re-enabled image/PDF zoom on non-Aura devices
Pocket: End-of-article dialog text cut off

I didn't notice any of my personal bugs being fixed. Well, one search annoyance disappeared because it was part of the search changes. And, if any of the other "popular" bugs have been fixed, I didn't notice them.

The biggest question everyone will have is about performance. I have been running the various beta version on five devices. I didn't see a single performance problem. But, then I never saw a problem with 3.15.0 either. Kobo did explicitly ask about this, and apart from pointing the the reports on MR, I couldn't help. The same goes for the highlighting issues.

Calibre has already been updated to support this release. The update was in version 2.30.

Note: All this is based on my note taken during the beta process. It is in no way an official release statement from Kobo or anyone else. And is almost definitely incomplete.

Ripplinger · 06-10-2015, 11:38 PM

I installed 3.16.0 on the Glo HD, and it's a bit faster on the initial page turn, but still not as fast as it should be, it's still much slower than the regular Glo on 3.12.1. Once it gets going and you keep turning pages, then the Glo HD is faster than the Glo, which I would think that's how it should be for the newer reader.

Now to wait for the patch so I can kill the huge line spacing!

Athropos · 06-11-2015, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

Note: Due to license issues, some dictionaries can't be search.

Are you saying that they can include the dictionary and show the definition of any word highlighted by the user, but they can't let him search for a random word entered manually?

davidfor · 06-11-2015, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athropos

Are you saying that they can include the dictionary and show the definition of any word highlighted by the user, but they can't let him search for a random word entered manually?

Yes, and it has been like that for as long as the dictionaries have been on the device. French and Dutch are blocked by this. Japanese is also blocked, but I have a vague feeling this was for some other reason.

And you can still do a dictionary lookup from the "Extras" menu on the home screen and from the bottom menu when reading. But, I find it integrated with the search to be cleaner.

cramoisi · 06-11-2015, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

Yes, and it has been like that for as long as the dictionaries have been on the device. French and Dutch are blocked by this. Japanese is also blocked, but I have a vague feeling this was for some other reason.

Concerning the french dictionary, I’m pretty sure it’s for copyright reason, for it is a "Larousse 2008" which is included by default on the kobo. It looks like the parties had an agreement on some functions but not on other because the Larousse is a product by itself...

sherman · 06-11-2015, 03:17 AM

Will this be rolling out to the other devices such as the glo/aura/aura HD/Aura H2O?

Seems a rollout to only the (one of) the oldest and the newest devices are a bit strange to me.

davidfor · 06-11-2015, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherman

Will this be rolling out to the other devices such as the glo/aura/aura HD/Aura H2O?

Seems a rollout to only the (one of) the oldest and the newest devices are a bit strange to me.

I was expecting this to go to all the devices (except the Mini), but Kobo have stated this is only going to the Touch and the Glo HD. The Touch is still used by a lot of people and this is a catch-up release for it. The next release will probably cover the others. And no, I have no idea when.

beedaddy · 06-11-2015, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

Improved hyphenation handling - kepub and epub and should improve all languages.

This is really good news!

Can you confirm noticeable hyphenation improvements?

davidfor · 06-11-2015, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beedaddy

This is really good news!

Can you confirm noticeable hyphenation improvements?

Not really. I normally read ragged-right, so don't see much hyphenation, and I only read English, so I can't comment on the other languages. Plus, it was one of the last things added, so I haven't had as much chance to test. But, since the change went in, I have been reading with justified text and have quickly flicked through some other books looking for hyphenation. So far I haven't seen anything wrong.

JSWolf · 06-11-2015, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

Now to wait for the patch so I can kill the huge line spacing!

Even if 3.16.0 was available for the H2O now, I'd wait to install it until the patches are released. I'd rather stick to a patched 3.15.0 than an unpatched 3.16.0.

GERGE · 06-11-2015, 07:35 AM

I took the hyphenation dictionary from the 16 and compared to one within the 15. Files are the same. The difference must be in the engine.

murg · 06-11-2015, 07:50 AM

The first post of the Direct Links to Kobo Firmware thread has been updated for this release.

This release is The Who Shot MR? release.

beedaddy · 06-11-2015, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GERGE

I took the hyphenation dictionary from the 16 and compared to one within the 15. Files are the same. The difference must be in the engine.

Yes, I've checked this, too.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I had one or the other book (epub) where hyphenation even with justified text was off (no hyphenation at all). With 3.16.0, this is ok now. And with kepub, the hyphenation with 3.15.0 was horrible (at least regading German books). Well, it's possible that this is now a little bit less horrible.

JSWolf · 06-11-2015, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murg

The first post of the Direct Links to Kobo Firmware thread has been updated for this release.

This release is The Who Shot MR? release.

The answer is Amazon because of jealousy because Kobo has the better Reader experience.

Dryhte · 06-11-2015, 09:28 AM

Can anyone who received this update OTA state their affiliate=?

I'd like to trick my Touch into updating... thanks!

06-10-2015, 08:51 PM	#1
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303822 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	Firmware 3.16.0 Discussion Kobo has released firmware version 3.16.0. It is being released for the Touch and Glo HD. It should start appearing on some devices today, but Kobo will be doing their usual staged release, so it might be days or weeks before everyone receives it. The release notes are: Design Updates: Your Kobo Touch now features the new look and feel of the Kobo eReader software. Search Improvements: You can now search current reads, annotations, and dictionaries more easily Quick Wi Fi Settings: Tap the Wi Fi icon in the status bar to access the new Wi Fi menu. The first point will only be shown on the Touch. The Touch changes are to bring its interface in to line with the other devices. For anyone who installed 3.15.0 on the Touch, the Beta Features (except Chess) are back. Note: This is the first time for a while that the update package for the N905 and N905B Touch include the u-boot and uImage files. If you sideload this firmware onto one of these, make sure you include the complete package. The search changes are the biggest. As well as the existing "Bookstore" and "Library" searches, you can also select to search from the five most recent books, all annotations and the dictionaries. The results list display the details of the match and can be view by tapping the item. The search also maintains a list of recent search strings that can be selected. Note: Due to license issues, some dictionaries can't be search. The WiFi changes are the icon in the header can be tapped to display a list of available networks. If connected to one, a tick will indicate this. The WiFi can be turned on and off by tapping the indicator at the top of the popup and there is a link to the main WiFi settings at the bottom. The main system dropdown also shows the name of the connected network. Some smaller changes that were included and mentioned in the betas were: Improved 'Related reading' tab on Book details screens Renamed 'Document Default' font to 'Publisher Default' Improved EPUB performance - I can't comment as I didn't see the performance degradation that some others saw with 3.15.0. Improved hyphenation handling - kepub and epub and should improve all languages. New checkout flow arrives for Kobo Touch Fixed some timing issues in which the device could stay in a black-and-white-only mode instead of greyscale Re-enabled image/PDF zoom on non-Aura devices Pocket: End-of-article dialog text cut off I didn't notice any of my personal bugs being fixed. Well, one search annoyance disappeared because it was part of the search changes. And, if any of the other "popular" bugs have been fixed, I didn't notice them. The biggest question everyone will have is about performance. I have been running the various beta version on five devices. I didn't see a single performance problem. But, then I never saw a problem with 3.15.0 either. Kobo did explicitly ask about this, and apart from pointing the the reports on MR, I couldn't help. The same goes for the highlighting issues. Calibre has already been updated to support this release. The update was in version 2.30. Note: All this is based on my note taken during the beta process. It is in no way an official release statement from Kobo or anyone else. And is almost definitely incomplete.

06-11-2015, 09:28 AM	#15
Dryhte Crow Posts: 133 Karma: 10808 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Where The Sun Don't Shine (much) Device: (Vivlio) Pocketbook Touch HD3	Affiliate? Can anyone who received this update OTA state their affiliate=? I'd like to trick my Touch into updating... thanks!

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06-10-2015, 11:38 PM	#2
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	I installed 3.16.0 on the Glo HD, and it's a bit faster on the initial page turn, but still not as fast as it should be, it's still much slower than the regular Glo on 3.12.1. Once it gets going and you keep turning pages, then the Glo HD is faster than the Glo, which I would think that's how it should be for the newer reader. Now to wait for the patch so I can kill the huge line spacing!

06-11-2015, 03:17 AM	#6
sherman Guru Posts: 869 Karma: 2676800 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Taranaki - NZ Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Forma	Will this be rolling out to the other devices such as the glo/aura/aura HD/Aura H2O? Seems a rollout to only the (one of) the oldest and the newest devices are a bit strange to me.

06-11-2015, 07:35 AM	#11
GERGE Guru Posts: 733 Karma: 5797160 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Istanbul Device: Kobo Libra	I took the hyphenation dictionary from the 16 and compared to one within the 15. Files are the same. The difference must be in the engine.

06-11-2015, 07:50 AM	#12
murg No Comment Posts: 3,240 Karma: 23878043 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Australia Device: Kobo: Not just an eReader, it's an adventure!	The first post of the Direct Links to Kobo Firmware thread has been updated for this release. This release is The Who Shot MR? release.

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