InkBox is an open-source, Qt-based eBook reader for Kobo devices. It also comes as an entire native open-source OS support for a number of devices.
It features:
ePUB and plain text support
Versatile configuration options for reading
muPDF rendering engine for ePUB (and soon PDFs)
Wi-Fi support and web browser
X11 apps seamless integration (KoBox)
Fast dictionary search
Dark mode
Strict security policy ensuring that only signed software can be run on the device (this, however, can be adapted to your needs by recompiling the kernel)
Full factory reset option if needed
Seamless update process
VNC viewer app
Search function
9 built-in fonts
Auto-suspend
Lock screen/passcode
User-friendly experience
How do I install it?
You can download precompiled OS/binaries here and standard Nickel add-ons are available there, although support for them has been stopped until further notice. Huge thanks to @fermino for providing free hosting.
Flashing InkBox OS to your Kobo's SD card is as simple as doing, on most *nix machines, assuming that inkbox.xz is the file you downloaded and that /dev/mmcblk0 is your SD card's device node:
xzcat inkbox.xz | dd of=/dev/mmcblk0
For Windows users (and command line-reluctant *nix fellows), use balenaEtcher.
If you install the Nickel add-on, unpack the 'base' archive in the root of the onboard storage, not in any subfolder inside it.
On the other hand, if you don't have the appropriate coding skills or just want to help in some way, feel free to make a donation here. I'm a student and motivation has been the only thing that has helped me maintain this project for the last months. Developing an entire operating system on my own was not an easy task. I have time, but I like to spend it wisely.
