Amazon Gives Kindle E-Readers a Rare User Interface Overhaul (arstechnica.com) 52
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Amazon's Kindle e-readers get new software updates regularly, and they're mostly of the nondescript, invisible "performance improvements and bug fixes" variety. But the most recent operating system update (version 5.13.7) is rolling out now, and it refreshes the device's user interface for the first time since 2016 or so. Amazon says that redesigns for the Home and Library screens, which are mostly untouched in the current Kindle update, will be coming "later this year." The software update that enables the new interface began rolling out in August, but because Kindles only install updates automatically when they're charging and connected to Wi-Fi, it will be a few weeks or months before all supported Kindles will have a chance to grab the update (mine only installed it over this past weekend).
The new update is available on most Kindles released in or after 2015, including the 7th- and 10th-generation Kindle Paperwhite, the 8th-, 9th-, and 10th-generation Kindle Oasis, and the 8th- and 10th-generation standard Kindle. Older "7th-generation" Kindle devices like 2014's Kindle Voyage don't appear to be supported. [...] The new update doesn't fix Amazon's confusing Kindle naming scheme, which groups different devices into "generations" that are numbered based roughly on when they were released, not on what generation of product they actually are; the "10th-generation" Paperwhite is actually only the fourth Paperwhite Amazon has released. But you now can head into the Device Info screen and see which Kindle you're using instead of having to guess.
The new update is available on most Kindles released in or after 2015, including the 7th- and 10th-generation Kindle Paperwhite, the 8th-, 9th-, and 10th-generation Kindle Oasis, and the 8th- and 10th-generation standard Kindle. Older "7th-generation" Kindle devices like 2014's Kindle Voyage don't appear to be supported. [...] The new update doesn't fix Amazon's confusing Kindle naming scheme, which groups different devices into "generations" that are numbered based roughly on when they were released, not on what generation of product they actually are; the "10th-generation" Paperwhite is actually only the fourth Paperwhite Amazon has released. But you now can head into the Device Info screen and see which Kindle you're using instead of having to guess.
Does this affect the Fire (Score:2)
I have a Kindle Fire
relatively recent
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Doubt it.The Fire is a completely different beast, and got its UI overhauled a lot more recently than 2016.
But "the one TRUE interface" is SACRED! (Score:2)
But if Amazon is stuck on the assumption that there is one "best" user interface, then Amazon must insist on finding some way to ram the most sacred UI down EVERY slave's throat. Fire must not escape!
Just joking. Not slaves, but only beloved customers around there. And of course every corporate cancer must maximize profits and minimize wasted costs by finding the best interface and implementing it for EVERYONE. Can you remember when customer service wasn't a cost center, but rather an opportunity to find ou
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I'd say no. If google can be trusted the Fire is an Android based tablet, while the summary indicates only the dedicated e-ink readers are affected, not any of the apps.
It seems Amazon has realized calling their tablet "Kindle Fire" is confusing, and has renamed it "Fire Tablet".
The Fire Tablet (Score:2)
"calling their tablet "Kindle Fire" is confusing, and has renamed it "Fire Tablet"."
Well that is even more confusing, since "The Fire Tablet" is a Holy Text written by Baha'u'llah (The Founder of the Baha;i Faith}
The English translation starts:
" Indeed the hearts of the sincere are consumed in the fire of separation:"
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As I understand it, Baha'i is pretty clever in that it is future proofed in the sense of "we can always plop in another prophet and update our scriptures as the world moves on", but I don't think many would be confused about which tablet you're talking about in the context of getting a new firmware update. :)
Made it worse (Score:4, Insightful)
They didn't add ePub support. They didn't add folder support. This is a meaningless update to bump a number up to look like they still care.
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I keep mine on airplane mode most of the time which limits the intrusive advertising, but the
Now if they could magically add (Score:2)
EPUB support, I might actually buy an amazon ereader.
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You are making the common mistake of thinking a company wants to help you, when it actually simply wants to screw all the money it can out of you.
Amazon Kindles have been holding back general Ereader development for WAY too long.
Amazon can be hated for a lot of reasons, but this is the worst thing of all.
Look at Calibre for epub books (Score:2)
I read .epub books on my Kindle all the time. I have to copy the books to the device over a USB cable, but that is a small inconvenience.
You can manually add the books to your library on the Kindle, or use Calibre to easily manage your books and device.
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It's still a feature. The supported document types can be found listed here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/send... [amazon.com]
No USB-C (Score:2)
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In a software update?
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I'm surprised people still buy them (Score:2)
There were a good idea at the time but I got the impression the e-ink and long battery life simply weren't enough of a reason to carry one around along with a phone or normal tablet too. Perhaps usage varies by country but I haven't seen anyone using one here in the UK for a long long time. Of course anecdotal evidence isn't proof but I used to see a lot of them 10 years ago.
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That was rather my point - who'd buy one now when you can do the same on your phone?
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And with a registered Kindle you have the ability to download and convert your Kindle shit into pdf for backup. Those for example are two reasons that make them attractive to me.
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I'm the only person I know that carries mine around with me but I know several people that own and use them otherwise. I don't carry a phone but I do have a Fire tablet my wife got me. The Paperwhite gets way more usage than the Fire. The Fire is several years newer but is much slower and just generally painful to use. I can get away with charging my Paperwhite once every few weeks, it is lighter weight so is comfortable to hold, the screen doesn't have glare issues, it just works far more reliably even tho
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I use it because I lack the self control on a Tablet to stick to reading and instead waste time watching videos, playing games, etc.
On my Paperwhite, there are no distractions.
Kindle == Dumpster fire (Score:1)
Just play YouTubes on your paperbacks (Score:3)
I want the thing to be responsive, I want it to not lock up when trying to play YouTube videos, I want it to...you know...WORK.
You do know it was designed to be a book reader.
You don't play YouTube videos on your paperbacks. Not even expensive hardcovers.
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Kindle E-book readers don't run Android. They don't use the Kindle Android app either. Really they are not a mess. They are simple devices that originally did one job very well, although in recent years Amazon has added more features that aren't that useful on an e-ink device.
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The reading experience is mostly just fine on my Oasis. But if you want to continue to a new book in a kindle unlimited series - or just buy the next book in the series, the swap from end of book to the next book can be a real mess especially if it goes from a link in the author's previous book through their "browser" instead of just going to the store. It's also frequently hard to get the kindle to select the "Read Now" or "Add to list" features at the font size I use to read.
A simple return this book to
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So, you're saying, an otherwise normal Android tablet isn't supposed to work like one?
No. I'm saying that this is a book reader, not a tablet.
If you want a tablet: buy a tablet, don't buy a book reader. And if you are criticizing a book reader, criticize it for whether it is or is not good as a book reader.
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YouTube videos? Are you sure you know what devices we're talking about? This refresh is not about the Kindle Fire which you seem to be referring to. It's about the Kindle e-ink ebook readers. Youtube is certainly not a thing on them, at least not something they are designed to do.
My Kindle 3 continues to work great and do exactly what I want to do with it, which is to read book in a manner which does not cause me eye strain. Using the awesome Calibre management software I can convert epub to mobi, as w
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Yes the Fire tablet are cheap, underpowered, Amazon branded Android tablet. They always have been. They are meant for children and idiots.
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App Store? YouTube?
You're not using a Kindle. You're using an Amazon Fire tablet. That is a completely different device than the one being discussed here.
The very last thing you want (Score:2)
When Amazon updates their devices they make them shittier.
Our FireTV stick (1st) is now unusable specifically because of updates. They have crammed so much shit into the launcher "experience" that the actual experience is one of deciding never to buy any Amazon devices again.
Fuck you, Amazon, and fuck you twice, Jeff Bezos.
From an ANGRY Kindle user (Score:2)
I have a Kindle Oasis, and had a paperwhite (voyager? the plastic one without a keyboard) before it. I have used the Oasis a LOT (even though it is really hard to hold!) especially over the pandemic and have leaned heavily on Kindle Unlimited too. Which is a really good deal for throwaway novels. The Oasis still does not do things one would expect that it should do. But I wanted to post because I am VERY UPSET AT THE UPDATE they made to my Kindle without my knowledge and no visible way to roll back the UI t
Rare? (Score:2)
Why would they?
The Kindle exists solely because the Kindle-App and and Audible-App can't buy books, without giving Apple 30%.
And I say this as a fan, I have ALL the Kindle versions since the get-go.
Physical books are still better (Score:2)
When one owns a physical book, it's theirs. Neither the publisher nor seller can take it unless they break into someone's home.
Books never change. Once printed, the look and feel of the book is permanent. No need to worry about someone from the outside altering the book without your permission.
Books never need charging or a battery replaced.
Books can be displayed on a bookshelf for all to see and peruse at their leisure.
Books can be loaned out or swapped without interference from anyone.
Books can be sold a
On the other hand... (Score:2)
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Some people obsess over their books and some don't. I like the idea of having shelves upon shelves to house my books but the sad reality is that I don't have that kind of space to dedicate for that purpose. And when I did they were just something that needed to be cleaned on a regular basis, and since I don't have people over to visit often, even prepandemic, there isn't any point in displaying them. I also don't often re-read books and so having it around once I've finished it is of very little benefit and
Kobo Clara HD (Score:2)
As many point out the Kindle has quite a few flaws, and advertising is just one of them. For me the showstopper issue is that the Kindle simply can't give me the margins and line height that I prefer. I read a lot, and price is not a consideration at all when I choose an e-reader. Still I'm the owner of two relatively inexpensive Kobo Clara HDs.
Why? The user interface is not too much in the way, it has great support in calibre, the lighting is pleasant and the size fits my pockets. Actually, as I only buy c
Still on the 2011 Kindle Touch (Score:1)
I wish we could change the font size in the Store (Score:2)
I wish we could change the font size in the Store. I don't understand why the Kindle Store has no way to increase its microscopic font size. I have to visit using a Fire or a PC to be able to read descriptions and reviews of Kindle ebooks. It's really pathetic.
Terrible Interface. The very first was better (Score:1)
YES! (Score:1)