Kobo has issued a new software update, version 3.5.0, for the Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura, and Kobo Aura HD. They’ve also updated the Kobo PC desktop software to version 3.9.0.
Kobo always releases their software updates gradually in different parts of the world. Since I live in the US I never seem to get updates for a few weeks after they are released, so I can’t give any first-hand reports on the new software, but several people at MobileRead have offered their thoughts on what the new software provides.
If you are the impatient sort and don’t want to wait for the update to automatically download, like always you can download the new software manually from the direct links to Kobo Firmware thread at MobileRead and sideload it.
According to early reports, these are some of the changes you can expect with the new 3.5.0 firmware:
- Long paragraph bug fixed for ePubs (about time).
- The frontlight returns to the same level as before waking the device from sleep or unplugging from a PC.
- The option to automatically turn off the frontlight has been removed.
- Web browser scrolling is smoother and faster.
- Faster sync.
- Improved annotations.
- New Adobe RMSDK, support for new Adobe DRM.
- Various bug fixes and stability improvements.
There might be some other changes that haven’t been mentioned yet. I don’t know why Kobo can’t just create a webpage about software updates and post changelog notes along with them like Amazon does.
Based on the support for the New Adobe RSMDK, would this be an update to avoid if you don’t want books that are using the new DRM?
Kobo isn’t using the new DRM yet for their ebooks, so it shouldn’t matter, but I don’t know what their plans are moving forward. It would be like committing ebook suicide if they did switch, especially after Kobo acquired all of Sony’s customers, who own Sony Readers that will never support the new DRM. Most ePub apps and ebook readers won’t get support for the new DRM either, so any ebookstore would have to be crazy to alienate most of their customers with a new DRM that only works on a few devices/apps.
Hi, I’ve just bought a Kobo touch and cannot get the inverted – black with white text – to work. Ive followed your instructions but no joy. Is there an additional file i need as its making no difference to the screen at all…? 🙁
Make sure you are using the newer package for the newer firmware.
I just purchased a Kobo Glo and the first thing it did after I connected to the internet was update to 3.3.0 (April 2014), but I can’t seem to get it to update to 3.5.0 or any of the other releases listed on the “direct download” website. I tried syncing the Kobo over Wifi many times as well as syncing it with the Kobo desktop (version 3.9.0) but no joy. I’m leery to side-load the firmware update as detailed on that link. Is it typical that the firmware doesn’t update normally with the sync. If I’ve read the Kobo FAQ site correctly there’s only two supported ways to update the eReader’s firmware: over the Wifi with the sync button or via the usb cable with the Kobo desktop application. Am I doing something wrong? Will updating the firmware by side-loading the update files mess up my reader/warranty. It’s less than 3 days old so I don’t want to mess it up, at least not yet. Thanks!
Just noticed that the other updates are 3.3.1 (for Portuguese only) and 3.4.1 (for Mini only), so I’m only missing the latest one. I’ve read that the updates usually roll out by region, so it may be a case of them not getting to Florida just yet. Sounds like I may have answered my own question here, and I think I may just go ahead and do the side-load now that I’ve read a bit more about it.
It would appear as though this update has been pulled. You can still side load it but it is not available over the air.
Kobo has not indicated why it has been pulled.