InkBox OS, is an operating system intended for Kindle devices
If you have a Kobo or Kindle e-reader, let me tell you that this article may be of interest to you, since the release of the new version of the InkBox OS 2.0 operating system was recently announced.
Yes, if you are wondering why it may be of interest to you, it is because many have the idea that the Kindle device system cannot be replaced, but this is not the case, since you can give a new air to your device with InkBox OS.
For those who don't know about Kindle, you should know that this is a small handheld electronic device for reading books, which has been developed by Amazon and is similar to a tablet, which is based on a version of Android, but without Google services. .
About InkBox OS
Okay, now moving on to the topic of today's article, for those who are unfamiliar with InkBox OS, you should know that this operating system and all its components are based on the "Alpine Linux" distribution and use the InkBox shell, developed by the same project, as a user environment with an interface for reading e-books and managing a home library.
The user interface is optimized for electronic paper displays, which is based on Qt and provides support for various devices.
Among the features of the InkBox operating system, the integration of the KoBox Launcher interface stands out , allowing users to run X11 applications available in the Alpine repository. For example, they can run the Geany text editor or the XBoard (chess) game.
In addition, it also features support for ebooks in ePUB and PDF format , support for images and text, support for connecting to a wireless network and the presence of a web browser, use of the muPDF engine to render ePUB and PDF, as well as various customizable page display modes when reading.
In terms of security, InkBox features storage encryption via EncFS, as well as a screensaver with password unlock and a VNC client for remote desktop access.
It also stands out that it has 10 built-in fonts and a search system for the contents of the local storage that searches dictionaries.
It also features a dark mode interface , a seamless update installation process, and includes a ToDo program and calendar planner, along with automatic device sleep mode.
What's new in InkBox OS 2.0?
Regarding the release of the new version, it is highlighted that InkBox OS 2.0 adds compatibility with the Kindle Touch , as well as compatibility with signed custom user applications, including 'Maps', 'Sketch' or 'sanki', and compatibility with folders in the local library browser.
Another change offered with this new release is an improved virtual keyboard in X11/KoBox, as well as general improvements to the user interface design, Wi-Fi compatibility for i.MX507 devices (N705, N905C, N613), and new 'Line Spacing' and 'Margins' options in Reader.
Furthermore, it is also worth noting that InkBox OS 2.0 integrates an improved reading framework , improvements to the update system, (experimental) highlighting support and the option to export highlights as a JSON file, and the correction of special characters that sometimes do not display correctly.
Other notable changes in this release include:
- Completely Revised Power Demon
- Completely revised Wi-Fi framework
- 'To-Do' app for checklists
- 'Qalculate' app for complex math calculations
- Improved lock screen experience
- Fix for 'frozen' screen when X11 is enabled on some devices
- Support for kernel namespaces
- Completely revised system initialization program
Finally, it's worth mentioning that the shell code is written in C++ using the Qt framework and is distributed under the GPLv3 license. If you want to learn more about it or the installation process, you can find the details at the following link.