Vox

Hints and Tips

Users Guide: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Kobo-Vox-User-Guide/book-OV8fLHOu7EGQOLkU_7h1pw/page1.html



Forced Reset (hold down power button > 10 seconds then hold it for 1-2 seconds to turn it on from OFF rather than sleep mode)
When asked to pick a browser, check the box at the bottom of the dialog box BEFORE selecting a browser. The Kobo customizations means the white background hides the 'set as default application' text beside the Checkbox.
2. Installing app using Dropbox

Dropbox is really a versatile app and is a waste if we don’t fully utilize it. The method is simple. In your computer, download the apk file to your Dropbox folder. Let it finish syncing. In your phone, open the Dropbox app, navigate to the folder where you keep the apk file, click on it. Dropbox will then download the apk file. The usual installation follows.
Or if you had an APK file from a developer that's not in GetJar (the only app market on the Kobo) and wanted to install it. You have to sideload it by either downloading from the web or putting a file onto a MicroSD card.

With a non-DRM ePub file, you can import it into the built-in Kobo app after, or install Aldiko and have its file browser load the file directly from the SD card. With apps, you have to check the 'Use non-Market source' option in the Applications setting to install APK files without the Android Market.
No, USB works fine too. It's just a drive to your computer - drop your non-DRM ePub files into the Vox's internal memory, then run the Import option the next time you're in the Kobo Library. For apps, you'll have to install a file manager first, like Astro or ES, or even OI File Explorer.

I used the SD as my example as I'd preloaded a bunch of books onto it while charging the Kobo.


Hints and Tips

Cannot wake from sleep? Full battery? Tap the power button to turn off scrren and a little later tap it again but the unit won't turn on? Have to for a full restart?
Then try advancedwifilockfree.apk . The setting should be "never" , which is its default.
The website is opotech.
Power button totally unresponsive? Try the manual reset button on the back above the battery. Quilted backing can be removed starting from the top right corner.
SD card not being recognized or cannot find it?
First, make sure that the SD card is mounted by going in Settings -> Storage.
Then it's at /mnt/extsd is the folder you're looking for
Aldiko (or any other app) disappearing? Go to Apps Main - then touch and Hold down on Aldiko and DRAG it onto the desktop
If you have books from non-Kobo sources and want to read them in the Kobo reading app, you have to "Import Books".
Touch mapping may mess up if the device moves during a certain part of the boot up process. Set it down on the table and power it back up. This issue should be fixed in updates.



Battery draining overnight? Most likely issue is Wi-Fi is on.
Settings > Wireless & networks > Wi-fi Settings > Options Menu > Advanced > Wi-Fi Sleep Policy


Calibre workaround - I have a Netgear WNDR3400 router with a USB port. I use calibre to access any book I wish to read and "Save To Disk" on a 4Gb USB drive plugged into the router. Then I use the Vox to access this drive and import the books. The whole process takes about 2 minutes and I avoid having to fool with that damn micro SD.


"Tablet Upgrade Error"? Try another Wi-Fi network. Also does not like WPA Enterprise networks.


"Night Mode" not working? Screen is black with no lettering? It's the way the book is formatted. Cannot be helped.


Vox not charging or it is not charging to full 100%? Try hard reset but this is an issue that still needs to be resolved. (nov. 3)

a third party charger, as long as it is 5v, 2a WILL charge the battery. You just won't see the charging indicator stuff. But if you look at the battery status area of the settings, you can confirm that it is taking on charge.



Hints and Tips

Connection Issue? Kobo can't start right now because of a problem connecting to the Kobo server. Please try again in a little while.
1. Re-run the Set up - Setting > Kobo eReader Settings > Setup Kobo eReader and re-sign-in to your account. Should get new config settings and good to go.
2. If that doesn't work try a factory reset. Settings > Privacy > Factory Data Reset
3. Still not good or more issues? Hard reboot.
Kobo app may be a catalyst for some freezing issues.
Vox waking up during sleep? Common issue.
Go to settings - Applications - Running services and see what is running. Kill the stuff you aren't using (or test by killing them all) and see if it solves the sleep issue.
Autorotate Off but still rotates? Unresolved.
Only Adobe ePub library books can be returned early.
Wi-Fi connection problems after going to sleep or turning it off? Kill all running tasks and try reconnecting again
one thing to note is that once you've done a factory reset, all the apps you've downloaded are still wherever you've downloaded them to, unless of course you've manually deleted them smile0.gif ¬. All you really need to do is re-install each of them (after you re-download a file manager that is...I still can't believe there isn't one by default..).

One thing you can do, to save space, is move those applications you like off to an SD card for safekeeping, and delete the rest of the apk files in the download folder. Once you need them again, bring'm back over to the VOX.
I have all of my appls in a folder on dropbox. Even when dropbox is is gone from my Vox, the files will still be on DB. It will be the first app I install. Installing from dropbox, rather than a file manager works quite well, but the option to install the file manager from dropbox and go from there works, too.
Power level wacko? If you have to resort to wiping all the data and restarting and it still does not work and then you end up having to pop the battery cover open to press the button next to the battery it's a bad one.


Hints and Tips

The Kobo Vox has an internal memory that it refers to as an sdcard. Any physical SD card you add is referred to as "extsd".
when doing a search for an app, add, "direct download" and/or apk after the name and you will find sources that work


Recommended Apps

Aldiko (ebook organizer)
Opera
Go to m.opera.com and it should offer a Direct Download link. That's how I got the APK. The first one will be for the Market version, so skip that one.
ASTRO File Manager (http://www.apktop.com/)
ASTRO File manager videos (http://www.metago.net/astro/fm/doc/help_index.php)
MobilePDFViewer
for a free PDF reader, PerfectViewer with the PDF Reader plugin is nice and fast on the Vox. Not the friendliest interface, but it's free and the APK is available from the developer's site. Great image and comic reader too.
It's in the Android Market only. Ditto EZPDF Reader. Perfect Viewer with the PDF plugin works fine though. Google RookieStudio. It's free, too.
Adobe reader:
You can download it directly from Adobe at the bottom of this page:http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/892/cpsid_89295.html
Use this link to get the latest version of Overdrive for the Android OS, straight from the source:

http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/AndroidEULA.aspx

If you want to use it as an alternative to ADE on your Windows/Mac machine, get it here:

http://www.overdrive.com/Software/omc/
Titanium Backup is an excellent app. No, it does not need root.
Get VLC for video.


App Sites

http://www.apktop.com/
AppBrain
Slide Me Market (android web browser, go to slideme.org/sam2.apk and it will download their market place)
http://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/essential-kobo-vox-apps-and-tools/#disqus_thread
http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/AndroidEULA.aspx