sublipri / kobo-wifi-remote

A web-based remote control for Kobo e-readers

Kobo Wi-Fi Remote 0.2.0

Kobo Wi-Fi Remote is a remote control/page turner for Kobo e-readers. It installs a server on your device that can record and replay touchscreen inputs via a web interface. It is not safe to use on public Wi-Fi networks.

Features

• A simple interface designed for smartphones and users with limited dexterity.
• Keyboard shortcuts for use with a computer.
• Take screenshots using a web browser or NickelMenu.
• Probably supports all Kobo e-readers with touch screens (tested on a Glo and Sage running the latest firmware).
• Custom actions (e.g. adjust the brightness).
• Trigger actions with a GET request -- use with a DIY hardware remote or your smart watch
• A NickelMenu entry and KOReader plugin for toggling the server.

There are some screenshots in the thread on MobileRead.

Installation

1. Download the latest release and extract the .zip file.
2. Connect your e-reader to your computer with a USB cable and browse its storage.
3. Set your computer to show hidden files.
4. Copy the KoboRoot.tgz file to the hidden .kobo directory on your e-reader.
5. Safely eject your e-reader then disconnect the USB cable. Don't touch the power button.
6. Wait for your e-reader to automatically install the package and reboot itself.
7. Connect your e-reader to your Wi-Fi network. If using a smartphone as the remote, the phone's hotspot might work best.
8. Once connected, the e-reader's IP address will be displayed on screen (also in More > Settings > Device Information if required later).
9. Enter the IP address in a web browser and go through the initial setup.

Warning: installing this will enable Kobo's ForceWifiOn setting, which drains the battery quicker. You can still manually disable Wi-Fi when not using the remote if this is a concern, and ForceWifiOn can be disabled in the web interface (under Developer Settings).

Uninstallation

1. Extract the Uninstaller.zip file included with the release.
2. Follow steps 2-6 of the installation process.

If you have shell access you can also just run /opt/wifiremote/bin/wifiremote uninstall (use --dry-run to check what will be removed).

Troubleshooting/Reporting Bugs

Scroll to the bottom of the homepage (at your e-reader's IP address) and press Troubleshooting. There you'll find instructions for generating a log file and reporting issues.

Building

Requires cargo, cross and coreutils

Create a KoboRoot.tgz:

./build.sh

Skip the KoboRoot.tgz, transfer the built files to a Kobo via rsync/ssh, and restart the server:

KOBO_HOST=192.168.1.10 ./build.sh deploy

Create a KoboRoot.tgz, copy it with scp, and reboot the device:

KOBO_HOST=192.168.1.10 ./build.sh install