Kobo can run apps now

	Kobo can run apps now(bandarlabs.github.io)
	652 points by thepoet 53 days ago \| 205 comments
	tl;dr: Cobalt is an open-source app platform for Kobo e-readers, providing a launcher, signed App Store, Rust SDK, and sandboxed runtime that runs static ARM binaries as unprivileged processes on stock hardware. After a one-time USB install, apps (including arXiv reader, Hacker News, Sudoku, a terminal, and RSS feeds) install and update over Wi-Fi, and a reboot returns to the stock Kobo reader. Fully tested on Clara BW, Elipsa 2E, and Clara HD; app contributions are accepted via standard GitHub PRs.
	HN Discussion: ~Existing alternatives like NickelMenu, KOReader, and PostmarketOS already provide similar functionality on Kobo ↓E-readers should stay distraction-free reading devices, not run apps ↑Excited about Cobalt and want it ported to additional Kobo models like Clara Colour and Libra Color ↑Sees valuable specific use cases like manga readers, Obsidian viewers, or highlight review tools ↓Skeptical about AI-generated content in the article (photos vs simulator claim)