Thanks to the folks at the MobileRead Forums for figuring this out, you can now add the Android Market app to the PocketBook IQ and even set it up to install apps on the SD card to get more space to install apps.

But first, the disclaimers. The process of hacking your PocketBook IQ could possibly turn it into a pricey paperweight if you mess up, rooting may void the warranty, and a whole plethora of other ifs and buts. Bottom line: Hack at your own risk.

Secondly, I have not tried this out myself . . . yet. I already have the Nook Color hacked and have access to Android Market apps so I’d rather wait until the IQ gets its firmware updated to Android 2.2 before I start messing with anything, which is supposed to happen in the coming weeks.

The process of adding the Android Market to the PocketBook IQ isn’t all that difficult, but definitely is not for the technically challenged. I’d suggest reading through this thread at MobileRead for more information and help if you’re having any trouble with the instructions below.

The first thing you need do is install the Android SDK on your computer. The download and directions are over on the Android Developers website.

Thanks to Coredump-EE for putting together these directions and allowing me to re-post them below.

Adding Android Market to PocketBook IQ

Overview:

1. Gain root access
2. Install Google apps
3. Add an existing Google account
4. Enable Market
5. Enable “su”

Step 1 (Gain root access)

• Install LaucherPro
• Install z4root.1.3.0.apk
• Press the Home key to start Launcher Pro, then longpress the homescreen to create a shortcut: Shortcuts->Activities->Settings->Development (com.android.settings.DevelopmentSettings)
• Launch the newly created Development shortcut and check USB debugging
• Launch z4root and install “permanent root”. This installs busybox on your system and is required after every firmware reflash.

Step 2 (Install Google apps)

1. Download and extract IQ_gapps.
2. adb remount
3. adb shell mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock6 /system
4. adb push IQ_gapps /system
5. adb shell chmod 777 /system/build.prop /system/app/* /system/lib/* /system/framework/* /system/etc/permissions/*
6. adb shell chown system.system /system/build.prop /system/app/* /system/lib/* /system/framework/* /system/etc/permissions/*
7. adb shell rm /data/dalvik-cache/*
8. adb shell reboot

Step 3 (Add an existing Google account)

• Install signed_YouTube.apk
• Run Youtube, open the menu and select “My Channel”. Add your Account.
• Enable Sync for the account and wait until gmail shows your messages.

Step 4 (Enable Market)

• Install build.prop from IQ_data.zip
• Insert a valid androidId (see IQ_data Readme.txt)
• Reboot, then try to open Market

Step 5 (Enable “su”)

• Get busybox.conf and passwd from IQ_data.zip
• adb shell mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock6 /system
• adb push settings/passwd /system/etc
• adb push settings/busybox.conf /system/etc
• adb shell mv /system/xbin/su /system/xbin/su.orig
• adb shell ln -s /system/bin/busybox /system/xbin/su
• adb shell rm /system/bin/su
• adb shell chmod 6755 /system/bin/busybox

Notes: If after the setup Youtube begins to FC, reinstalling the app will fix the problem.

Installing Apps to SD Card

This step is optional or if you just want to have more room to install Android apps on the PocketBook IQ. The original directions can be found here.

Overview:

1. Partition an SD card
2. Setup a2sd

Step 1: Partition an SD card

You need to manually partition an SD card with one large partition for data like ebooks and music, and one smaller partition for applications. Around 200Mb for apps is usually enough. The data partition must be formatted with vfat, the application partition must be formatted with ext3. The order of the partitions shouldn’t matter. To be on the safe side, use partition 2 for apps.

Step 2: Setup a2sd

• Download iq_a2sd
• adb remount
• adb push a2sd /system/xbin
• adb shell chmod 755 /system/xbin/a2sd
• adb shell
• $ a2sd setup
• Reboot and enjoy

Hint: Run a2sd without parameter to get a description of all options.