Hackable eReaders

so i just found out that it is possible to install Linux on Kobo eReaders which use an microSD to boot from, what do you guys think of it? is it just a dumb gadget or do you see potential in this? i think it would be kinda neat to have a minimal install on it, some simple GUI and the possibility to SSH into the reader. Not to mention that i much rather run a Open Source project on my devices. here are the links i found: >kobo Touch https://sites.google.com/site/gibekm/hardware/kobo/kobo-as-tablet >GitHub page https://github.com/marek-g/kobo-kernel-2.6.35.3-marek >The forum it got posted https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222123 >Reddit using end experimenting with more recent models https://www.reddit.com/r/unixporn/comments/8ec9p2/kobo_debian_kind_of_running_on_my_kobo_glo_hd/

I find little value in running linux on a device with an e-ink display because I've only had the desire to use those displays as a way to read books. Kobo is pretty good, though not perfect, about supporting ebook formats IMO. But a lot of ereaders run android out of the box, so there's definitely some value in it. My biggest interest would be in custom firmware for the eink display. Being able to rival the kindle's refresh rate using open source firmware would make me look for a replacement ereader

>>16425 >I've only had the desire to use those displays as a way to read books. sorry if i wasn't clear on this, yes, i meant to run it as an ereader but using free software and the possibility to update and change stuff using ssh

>>16425 this. i have a kobo glow and i like it well enough. the fact that you can dump files on it like a flash drive instead of using a proprietary app is all i'm really looking for in an e reader. i did install custom firmware at one point, but want back to the firmware it shipped with because i found it more intuitive and didn't need the advanced features. i dont let it connect to the internet because i don't trust kobo's rom (even if it isn't trying to spy on me, i assume it's fairly easy to exploit) and i'm not going to use this thing's soykafty web browser anyway. the down side of these more "diy" ereaders vs. a kindle is that the files you put on it aren't going to necessarily be formatted well for the screen size (especially if you are pirating). this is mostly a problem with pdfs because the contents can't always be dynamically resized. epubs generally work better because it works more like markup, but even then i've found that pictures and diagrams will be poorly scaled and often illegible. this has been especially annoying when trying to read math textbooks because (afaik) epubs represent mathematical symbols and equations as images. it's also kind of inconvenient to flip back and forth between pages, like you often will when doing the exercises at the end of a chapter. some of this is just the limitations of the digital format, but the e-ink's slow response time and fact that you need 2-3 taps to switch to a certain page makes it especially awkward. you can make it a little easier on yourself by making extensive use of the bookmark feature, but at this point i tend to just use my laptop's epub viewer for textbooks. all this being said, for reading fiction i like this thing better than my laptop or even an actual book. fiction doesn't tend to have images and you usually read them from start to end without much back-tracking, so ereaders like this are perfect. it's a great thing to keep on you to pull out instead of your phone when you're waiting around. it's about as convenient as carrying around a paperback, but the backlight and slightly smaller size makes the kobo the better option imo. calibre with the kobo plugin is a must-have. lets you move books to and from the kobo with ease and you can convert files to better fit the kobo's small screen. it even handles firmware updates automatically. the experience is a bit like putting songs on an ipod back in 2005.

>>16428 soykaf, this was supposed to be a reply to OP, not >>16425

>>16424 A handheld device with native (non-Android) Linux and wifi but no cellular backdoor probably has /sec/ uses if you're that way inclined.

>>16436 i mainly like the idea to organize my reader completely with my PC over ssh, so updates and file transfer without plugging it in, that and the idea to have an gnu/eReader

Kobo readers already run Linux, so you're not so much installing it as getting shell access. Starting an X server is a bit more involved, which is what the article goes into. I don't really see the point though, the devices are pretty slow and only useful for reading in the first place. If you're only looking to use SSH to manage your books then Koreader provides that out of the box.

yes but it still uses proprietary software on top of it

I wISH SO BAD that there was a gnu-linux OS for eink tablets, but there isn't. Apparently there are ways to just soft fake running debian in a VM or something like a VM called a chroot, but it's really only good for running a terminal, which is not ideal for a reading device. That said, I have found that hacking a Barnes and Noble NOOK device to be awesome. There's a better launcher and UI you can install on it and a real file browser. NOOKs are really cheap now. They are SO cheap and replacing the battery is easy as fuarrrk. If you are actually interested in this then I will highly recommend buying and rooting a Nook. Even rooted Kobos have major phoning home and spyware problems.

I'd like too hook my kindle up to my computer as a second screen so i can configure it to automatically open all pdfs/epebs/djvus/..

>>16915 >something called chroot Chrooting is basically changing the current root, its not a VM. and since this readers are based off of linux there really should be a gnu fork, a lightweight wm dedicated to navigate and a simple pdf and epub program should do the job. i think thous devices really could benefit from it, keeping it simple and soykaf. >>16916 https://spectrum.ieee.org/geek-life/hands-on/build-a-readable-bicycle-computer I think you could orientate on projects like this to reach that goal

I've been searching for a cheap e-reader for ages just for this purpose. Occasionally you find one on eBay or gumtree for < $US 30, but usually they're still ~ $US 40 for second hand units due to patents and the cost of e-ink technology. Nook simple touch's are probably your best bet for a cheap hackable device. It has a touchscreen and great battery life, but, like most e-ink screens, a terrible refresh rate.

The Kobo Glo has a decent refresh rate for eink imo

Seconding a B&M Nook after hacking it.