Kobo Firmware Update

**Michael Kozlowski** · 08-13-2010

We are very happy to announce that we have firmware upgrades on the way for Kobo eReader customers. I’m going to give as much detail as I can on this process and will be checking the forum to answer any questions that come up over the next couple of days. This is a big post, with lots of info, so let’s get started.

Two Ways to Upgrade

Option 1: Download and Install
Download a new version of the Kobo Desktop application (instructions below). This includes a wizard that will walk you through the Kobo eReader firmware upgrade process. The whole process, end-to-end, takes about 10-20 minutes, depending mostly on Internet connection and the speed of your computer. This can be done in the comfort of your own home and doesn’t require you to re-sync your library afterwards.

Option 2: For Canadian customers:
Starting the week of July 5th, Canadian eReader users can visit the Indigo, Chapters or Coles store they purchased their eReader from and have the upgrade done for them by Indigo staff. This upgrade is performed using an SD Card and requires you to re-sync your books back onto your eReader when you get home. Not a big deal if you have a few books, but can take a while if you have a lot. This will be available in select stores, please stay tuned as to when the SD Cards will be available.

For other customers:
We are working with Borders (US), Borders Australia, Angus & Robertson and Whitcoulls this week to schedule the release of upgrades for your eReaders. If you bought devices from these retailers, we will have final dates for you by July 9th.

Getting The Upgrade
We are releasing the upgrade over the course of the next two weeks, but if you’re anxious to get it now, there’s a way to jump to the front of the line!

Starting Tomorrow
We are making updates available through our “Early Access” program. Sign up here:
http://blog.kobobooks.com/early-access/
and we will send you a link to download a new version of the Kobo Desktop Reader that includes our eReader upgrade wizard. First come, first served! We are aiming to send the first batch of Early Access emails July 1st and send additional batches July 2nd through 4th (yep, we’re working both US and Canadian holidays to get this out to you!). Borders U.S. or Australian user? Sign up now and you’ll be the first to receive the upgrade when it’s available.

Starting the week of July 5th

- SD Card upgrades available in select Indigo, Chapters and Coles stores. (If you bought your eReader there, they will have SD Cards to perform the upgrade.)
- Email goes out to all Canadian eReader users, informing them of upgrade options and timing.
- We will also be emailing people who have contacted Kobo Customer Care with issues that are addressed by the upgrade.
- Kobo Desktops will start to automatically prompt their users to upgrade. (This doesn’t happen all at once. A percentage of the total user base gets prompted on the 5th, then we dial it up through the week until everyone is done.)

What’s In the Upgrade
Everything that we talked about here, here, and here.
The highlights:

The ability to resize fonts for any ePub file, no matter where it comes from.
Improved battery management
The ability to hide/show the preloaded free classics
Charging lights that make sense (red/violet when charging, blue when finished)

During the Upgrade
We have plenty of help options — update FAQs and staff standing by at Kobo Customer Care to answer questions via phone or email. Phone numbers and help links are available throughout the update process if you hit something unexpected or want some help.
As I said in my last post, a hardware upgrade is not for the faint of heart, but we have done everything we could to make this as simple as possible. Unexpected issues may pop up, but we’ll do everything we can to deal with them quickly and get you reading on your new and improved Kobo eReader. Thanks everyone for your patience, suggestions, and advice while we put this together.

Michael Tamblyn
EVP Content, Sales & Merchandising

**lollyben** · 12-26-2010

Hi
We purchased the latest Kobo EReader this week for my daughter from Borders in Brisbane, Australia. Whilst we are able to pick up on the home wireless network, we can't seem to connect to it at this stage. I've had all sorts of devices connect to it before including my Android phone and the wife's PSP, so I'm suprised that the Kobo reader is unable to do so. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

regards
Ben

**droid** · 01-18-2011

Hello lollyben and welcome to the forums.

Once the e-reader is able to see the network connecting to it should not really be a problem. Have you tried updating your firmware to see if that makes a difference? The updates can be rolled out to your device via USB as explained in goodereader's post above or as an update to your SD Card for which can find detailed instructions for here.

**JeDi** · 06-08-2011

It has now been over a year since I purchased my Kobo. I have applied one firmware update to it (it is the one from June 27/10 v1.4). My friend was comparing it to the Kobo that he purchased last week and was astonished as to how slow mine was.

I figure that it is because of the firmware version. What is the current version, and what features does it provide? Will it speed up my page turns?

More importantly, is there any thing to be aware of when installing the newer firmware? will it erase my books? my bookmarks? cause any strange behaviour?

Thanks!

**Michael Kozlowski** · 06-08-2011

No firmware upgrading is always very easy. You can check via any Firmware update if you install the Kobo Desktop manager there is a feature to check the firmware version and follow the instructions via the desktop app and you should be fine. Also, does your friend have the kobo or the kobo wireless?