Kobo Glo, Aura, and Aura HD Get Firmware 3.5.0 with Long-Paragraph Bug Fix, Enhanced Stability, and Faster Sync
Not only is PocketBook addressing software issues these days, but Kobo is also diligently working on the firmware for their various eBook readers. The Canadian-Japanese company is now offering the software update 3.5.0, which can currently be installed most quickly by downloading and applying it manually. Otherwise, it should be delivered over-the-air (OTA) to owners of the Kobo Glo, Aura, and Aura HD in the coming weeks, which requires a bit of patience, as not all devices are updated simultaneously.
You can find the link to the new firmware at Mobileread, including the appropriate installation instructions.
Long-standing Errors Fixed
The new update primarily seems to consist of a series of bug fixes. The two most important corrections are the fixing of the long-paragraph error, which caused arbitrary page breaks with various font sizes and long paragraphs, and the resolution of an issue with the light setting after waking the device up again. With the new firmware, the eBook reader should now reliably remember the previously used brightness option.
Moreover, Mobileread reports other improvements or changes mentioned:
- Long-paragraph bug fixed
- Light bug fixed
- The option to automatically turn off the light after some time has been removed
- Scrolling in the web browser is faster
- Synchronization works faster
- Improved note-taking
- Stability improvements
- New Adobe RMSDK with support for the new DRM
New Hardware from Sony?
Thus, Kobo is now mainly focused on fixing long-standing known errors instead of adding new features. This makes a lot of sense since, in the past, Kobo often introduced new bugs with new features, repeatedly frustrating existing customers.
However, it will be interesting to see if Kobo will use this hopefully soon completely bug-free system in future eBook readers. Given that Kobo and Sony have intensified their collaboration on the software level in recent months, it is conceivable that they might also work together on new hardware, potentially using a (modified) Sony software. The fact that one of the next readers – the Kobo Aura H2O – is rumored to be waterproof further supports the speculation of hardware collaboration, as Sony has been making waterproof tablets and smartphones for some time, while this development is still in its early stages with other companies.
However, this does not necessarily mean that the software will also come from Sony. We will find out soon enough, as the market launch of the new generation of devices is likely to take place as usual in August or September. In the meantime, you can enjoy the discounted Kobo Aura, which is currently available for only 99 euros.
