Kobalt Beta available

The video walks through three things: how to install Kobalt, how to use it, and how to remove it. The presenter notes this is the first beta release, and points viewers to a previous video (linked in the description) explaining why Kobalt was built ^[1].

Beta disclaimer (important): because this is beta software, users should back up their device and keep copies of sideloaded books elsewhere, in case something goes wrong.

1. Installing Kobalt

• Go to the website and choose Install or Modify Kobalt (lines 10–11).
• In the wizard: tick the checkbox, click Continue (lines 11–12).
• Google Chrome is required (line 12).
• Select your Kobo; the OS will prompt you to pick the Kobo's volume — choose the one named "KOBOeReader" — then allow access in Chrome (lines 13–15).
• On success, the page displays device information: model, software version, and whether Kobalt is installed (lines 15–16).
• Press Install; the website copies all files to the Kobo, validates that they are present, then prompts you to eject (lines 16–18).
• Eject properly — via Finder, Windows Explorer, or your Linux file manager — and do not unplug until ejection succeeds (lines 18–19).
• After the "congratulations" message, allow a minute or two before the Kobo shows its home screen again (lines 19–21).

2. Using Kobalt

DRM handling

• Protected books open in Kobo's normal reader instead, because Kobalt only opens DRM-free EPUB files (lines 22–24).
• The presenter's copy of The Way of Kings, bought from the Kobo Store, works because publisher Tor released it DRM-free (lines 24–26).
• First opening takes longer — Kobalt loads the entire book, not just a single chapter — after which it is quick (lines 26–27).

Main menu (tap the middle of the screen) (lines 27–28)

Gestures and navigation

• Brightness gesture on the left; warmth gesture on the right — a personal favourite of the presenter (lines 33–34).
• Page turning: tap the left side to go back, the right side to go forward, or use the page turn buttons (lines 34–36).
• Top-right corner gives quick access to dark mode and bionic reading, plus a few other settings the presenter recommends exploring (lines 36–39).
• Dark mode is easy to toggle off; bionic reading takes a while to update the book but "looks really great" — the presenter has read that many people can read much faster this way (lines 39–42).

Not ready yet / roadmap

• Highlights and annotations are not in the beta — described as big omissions (lines 42–43).
• The presenter would like to add appearance presets, letting users save favourite settings and apply them to another book (lines 43–45).
• KOReader Sync is planned for the future, described as a very common request (lines 45–46).

3. Uninstalling Kobalt

Three methods are covered (line 46):

1. Via the website (easiest): connect over USB, follow the same procedure as installation, but select "Remove" instead of "Install". Eject and unplug — Kobalt restarts your device, and is removed once detected (lines 47–50).
2. Manually: in your file explorer, go to the .adds/kobalt folder, find the file named "uninstall", remove it, then safely eject the Kobo — this causes Kobalt to remove itself (lines 50–53).
3. Factory reset (last resort): this resets the entire e-reader, so it is not advised unless you do not expect to be able to restore it the normal way (lines 53–56).

For device-specific instructions, the presenter directs viewers to Kobo's website for the latest and most accurate guidance (lines 56–58).

Closing

• Feedback is welcome in the video comments (lines 58–59).
• There is also a discussion section on GitHub for reporting bugs (lines 59–60).
• The presenter asks viewers to like and share, notes that donations are always welcome, and signs off with "happy reading" (lines 60–61).

References

1. (f6a78ce47205-Kobalt's first beta has arrived (you can try it now).txt) (100%) ↩︎