This afternoon, my Kindle quietly accepted its update to software version 1.2. This is a minor software update, consisting of the new functionality that Leslie pointed out earlier.

Here are a few screenshots of things that have changed with this update:

The main pop-up menu has changed slightly, to reflect the introduction of the word ‘Sync’ in various places. The menu option “Check for New Content” is now “Sync & Check for Items”. I believe that the ’sync’ part is a reference to its uploading of location information for each of your books to Amazon’s servers. It seems that this location info is now being made available to any of the Kindles associated with your account.

Why do this? I think it’s done as a convenience for people who use multiple Kindles with the same account. For example, if I am reading a book on my Kindle, and then start to read it on my wife’s Kindle, I can move directly to my location in that book.

I do this through the new ‘Sync to Furthest Page Read’ menu option. This option gives you the ability to move directly to the latest point reached in a book, regardless of which of your Kindles has been used to read to that point. A small but thoughtful addition to the Kindle feature set.

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Haven’t received Kindle software 1.2 yet?

Do not fear! The software update is being rolled out incrementally.

KindleBoards moderator Betsy the Quilter contacted Amazon support to see why her Kindle hadn’t been updated yet. The response (excerpted below) indicates that the 1.2 update is being rolled out automatically to Kindles over the next few days.

Greetings from the Kindle Team.

Thank you for asking about the software update currently available for Kindle. To make this process as effective as possible for all of our customers, not all devices will be sent the upgrade at the same time.

You’ll receive the current update 1.2 within the next few days. We appreciate your patience.

If an update is available, Kindle will download and install the update the next time the wireless connection is activated and Kindle goes into sleep mode. During the update, you will see screens that show the update progress. The update should take less than 10 minutes and is complete when Kindle displays the Home screen. Do not power off or reset the Kindle until the update is complete.

Thank you for choosing Kindle!

To check what release  of software you’re on, press the Home key, then go to Menu > Settings. Your Version number is shown in the lower left corner. Mine is currently Kindle 1.1.1, so I am also awaiting the automatic update. I’m leaving my WhisperNet on for a while to see if I pick up the update today.

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What changes exist in 1.2? Amazon lists these:

Image zoom: Zoom in on any image in Kindle books or periodicals using the scroll wheel.

Enhanced content management: Delete items directly from the Home screen with a new short-cut key–scroll to the item and push the “backspace” key.

Improved character and font support: New support includes Greek characters and monospace fonts.

Personally, I like the sound of the quick delete feature! Maybe my Kindle will be upgraded by the time I am finished eating dinner….

To learn more, visit the Amazon support page which can be found here.

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