> it's an open device

I actually also own a kobo and have been running KOReader on it for a couple years now, but my memory is that when I first got it I booted it up and it requested to be connected to the internet, then wouldn't allow me to progress without logging in through a 3rd party (there were many offered, walmart.com was the first option listed). I remember having to do something weird to bypass that (removing a .db file I believe after connecting via commandline?), and then ending up in a state where I don't need to connect to some company's cloud login but I also can never connect this device to wifi, ever, or it will do that again.

Are they more open these days?

you had to connect it as a usb drive to insert a row for a fake user in it's sqlite database

I remember that now. It really is frustrating that this is what passes for a really open device in the e-reader space. I would pay a 3x markup easily for the same device running KOReader natively (not sideloaded through nicklmenu after starting up the proprietary operating system) if it would just let me use the device like I own it without authenticating with a 3rd party just to its most basic functionality.

You don't need to authenticate with anything and it's even easier to do since a firmware update - just add a line to the config file:

https://old.reddit.com/r/kobo/comments/mt2f30/how_to_bypass_...

Connecting it to wifi afterwards isn't a problem, to tbe best of my knowledge.

Firmware downloads: https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html

> it's an open device.

non-obvious but you just use it like a usb device ereader when you receive it:

  - connect to computer with usb-c
  - mount as usb drive
  - edit .kobo/Kobo/Kobo eReader.conf adding SideloadedMode=true
  - remove .kobo/KoboReader.sqlite
  - reboot, then just use kobo as usb drive from then on, no account necessary

got one and use it more than my remarkable because it has a backlight for indoors (in addition to e-ink for outdoors)