Kobo Aura H2O Gains Pinch-To-Zoom and More with Firmware 3.15.0 Update
One of the most diligent manufacturers when it comes to updating the software of their devices is undoubtedly Kobo. The Canadian-Japanese company continuously updates its eBook readers, so as a user of a not-so-new device, you generally don’t need to worry about enjoying new features, bug fixes, and other updates.
Yesterday, the time came again, and firmware version 3.15.0 was released for the Kobo Glo, Aura, Aura HD, Aura H2O, and Glo HD (Kobo Touch and Mini still have to manage with firmware 3.11.0 and 3.4.1, respectively). Currently, the new software is available for direct download and manual update, but the Over-The-Air update via WiFi will follow shortly. If you don’t want to wait, you can download the firmware directly from Kobo. Here are the versions you should use:
- Kobo Glo & Kobo Aura HD (Mark 4), 89.7 MB
- Kobo Aura and Kobo Aura H2O (Mark 5), 74.1 MB
- Kobo Glo HD (Mark 6), 72.8 MB
One of the biggest changes affects the Kobo Aura H2O. The waterproof premium eReader now supports the Pinch-To-Zoom gesture with firmware 3.15.0, allowing you to zoom in and out of PDF files, comics, and web pages in the browser with the familiar two-finger motion. However, this only works if the automatic water detection on the screen (“water detection” in the reading settings) is turned off (since water detection also uses multi-touch). Initial tests suggest it works smoothly.
Changes in the new firmware
Other changes include (Source Mobilread):
- Support for the Kobo Glo HD
- Link to write a review directly from the book’s detail page is possible, and the review tab is visible if reviews are available
- Chess has been removed
- No more “Beyond the Book” functionality, except for similar books
- Bottom bar remembers the last setting made
- ISBN number is displayed for external E-Pub files
- eBook store redesigned
- Improved E-Pub compatibility
- Improved speed
Fixes:
- Changing the WiFi network now opens the network selection
- Reduced ghosting in PDF files when moving the page
- Selection helpers are no longer cut off when at the edges of the screen
- Words at the top and bottom edges of the display can be reliably looked up in the dictionary
- Double or delayed page turns no longer occur
- Aura H2O: Book downloads reliably start immediately after purchase
- Aura H2O: Water detection has fewer false positives
- Less ghosting after changing font rendering settings
- Various other bug fixes
