Jailbreak: Kindle

I picked up a cheap Kindle; after reviewing this matrix, I opted for a 16GB Kindle Paperwhite 5 (11th generation, from 2021: 6.8" E Ink Carta 1200 display, USB-C, IPX8 water resistance, etc.). I got it on eBay, on the assumption that such a unit would be less likely to have been updated to a later firmware for which a jailbreak wasn’t (yet?) available; I also added a $7 origami-style cover (which some don’t recommend, since the cover is weaker along the fold lines, but for my use case it was a good compromise). Used a jailbreak and installed KOReader to use it to natively read ePubs (etc), that can just be dragged-and-dropped into the 'books' directory when mounting it as a mass storage device over USB.

So far, I like it, and I can leave my slightly bulkier, more expensive Kobo Libra 2 and huge Kobo Elipsa 2E at home. Spent a little more than the $79 I had originally planned to spend on a refurbished Kobo Nia (or $89 for a refurb’d Clara HD), but both were sold out before I finally decided to pull the trigger (and I think I’ll be happier with the newer, slightly bigger (6.8" vs. 6"), display...). So it goes.

(The Nia has a 212 ppi screen, the Clara HD has a 300 ppi screen just as the Kindle does, albeit, dating from 2018, an older “E Ink Carta” (non-1200, -1300) panel.)

The Kindle propped up on the “origami” cover

Updates

Almost a year later, I’m still a fan of this setup, though I’m taking this opportunity to remind myself how to do some basic stuff. Also to note what other accessories I’ve found that work well with it.

Accessories 

It works perfectly with a ChaoQ stylus, but I picked up a Digiroot Universal Stylus for highlighting, a Universal Sleeve Bag for 6",6.8",7" Kindle Paperwhite carrying case to protect it more than the origami cover does (floating in a bag), and just to have it always at hand, a Cable Matters USB to USB C Adapter I had left over from a two-pack, plus a 1' USB C cable for data transfer and charging.

Managing the contents 

To manage books, you have to exit KOReader. Bring up the top menu (swipe down from the top edge of the screen) and tap the ☰ menu (top left corner). Select “Exit ►” and then tap Exit again on the next menu. Then, connect the Kindle to your computer using a USB cable; the device should automatically switch to USB Drive Mode, and it can be accessed like any other volume on your computer; copy books into the “books” directory. When finished, eject the e-reader:

Once ejected, you’ll be back in the regular Kindle interface. Under From Your Library, tap “KUAL” and then, on the menu that pops up, tap “KOReader ▽” and then, finally, “KOReader” and you’re back in. 

Menu option to exit KOReader

Kindle in USB Drive Mode

Kindle mounted as a device

Exporting highlights with 

From this menu at the top of the screen you can export all the notes in the current book (or all books in your history), in a variety of formats (I selected HTML for simplicity). Unless you change the directory, the export will be saved to koreader/clipboard on the Kindle:

koreader/clipboard directory contents and exported highlights

 

This will help immensely as I read materials.