Kindle 2.3 update

[Jesslyn]

I thought I was crazy and totally dismissed it.  I got a new Kindle users guide that mentioned PDF support on the 6" device and I figured that I just wasn't understanding, but see Press Release here:  http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1358968&highlight=

Wow!

[marianner]

That's interesting.  I can't imagine that people are going to be that happy with PDFs on the 6" K2 screen, though.  Under support, it does have a new software update listed.  I'll leave my Whispernet on for a while and see if it automatically installs.

Another interesting note from the press release, they're saying that the update will also improve battery life by 85% with Whispernet on.

[Ann in Arlington]

Clearly breaking news. . . .wow!

I am wondering, though, how it'll work on such a small screen. .. . .keep your WN on so you can get the update and some one let us know how it looks!

[jmiked]

The latest software update for the K2 is on Amazon’s support page. It can be downloaded and installed from your computer.

Adds PDF support and landscape screen.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200324680


Mike

[pidgeon92]

This is not very clear:

Native PDF support will also be available for some earlier versions of Kindle via an automatic Whispernet wireless firmware update.

[Prazzie]

This is very exciting news, I'm trying to take it all in and read everything inbetween remembering to breathe and not pass out.  Manual screen rotation, dying to try it out!

[Ann in Arlington]

I guess we'll know soon enough. . . . . .

[sebat]

The font hack needs to be removed in order to receive the update, correct?

[Ann in Arlington]

I believe so, and the screensaver one too.

It occurs to me that the biggest news is that the first we hear of this is from Amazon. . . .usually there's rumors and rumors of rumors for weeks, or at least days beforehand.  They kept this one very close to the vest. . . . .

[Shastastan]

I'm a little unclear about the practicality of .pdf on the Kindle.  I can see why some might want to read business pdf stuff, but can someone tell me what else might be useful in the non-business area?  I'm really not knowledgeable about Kindle pdf app's at all.  Thanks.

[sebat]

I believe so, and the screensaver one too.

It occurs to me that the biggest news is that the first we hear of this is from Amazon. . . .usually there's rumors and rumors of rumors for weeks, or at least days beforehand.  They kept this one very close to the vest. . . . .

Darn...I wasn't aware that I need to remove the screensaver hack, too.  Guess I wait to hear what everyone else thinks of it first.  

[Ann in Arlington]

To be honest.  . .I don't have either hack on either of my Kindles. . . .but it seems to me that's what I've heard around the boards.

Also, just an interesting thing. . . .we seem to be the first with the news. . . .it's not even currently under discussion on Amazon. . . . .how about that?  We're scoopin' the world!  


The Kindle Support page:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200324680

says the update is for the Kindle US, Kindle International, and Kindle DX

[pidgeon92]

I'm a little unclear about the practicality of .pdf on the Kindle.  I can see why some might want to read business pdf stuff, but can someone tell me what else might be useful in the non-business area?  I'm really not knowledgeable about Kindle pdf app's at all.  Thanks.

Lots of free books are available on the internet that are only in the PDF format.... Without native PDF support, these files have to be converted to a format the Kindle can access, and the converted formatting is generally very poor.

[BeastMD]

I wish they would add some new different fonts with bold type options. How hard could that be?

[RavenclawPrefect]

Has anyone with either the SS or font hack tried installing this yet?  I am assuming that the hacks still work but would like to know for sure before I uninstall them to get the update.  I can live without the update if they don't work

[BeastMD]

Just updated mine, went fine. Landscape is cool, and you can flip the screen in every direction, even holding the kindle upside down.

EDIT: I was using no hacks on mine.

[jmiked]

I'm a little unclear about the practicality of .pdf on the Kindle.

From my vantage point, it's a marketing feature, not a "real" feature. I have found that PDFs need to be converted to be read on the Kindle with any ease at all.

But that's just me.  

Mike

[markmcak]

I just installed it on my DX. Neither the fonthack nor the screensaver hack will successfully install now. sigh.

Updates to follow, I hope?

Mark

Has anyone with either the SS or font hack tried installing this yet?  I am assuming that the hacks still work but would like to know for sure before I uninstall them to get the update.  I can live without the update if they don't work

[Jesslyn]

I seriously thought I was seeing things when I saw that new Users Guide.  Did anyone else notice it?  I went to check if I had accidentally ordered a DX.  I totally dismissed it when it started talking about orientation, even though the tech specs listed the 6" model.  

I'm updating now and this is a big one.  Its been going for awhile and is on Stage 1 of 2.

I'll report back on the SS hack--don't use the font one.

[Prazzie]

I had no hacks installed.  Downloaded the update from the link above.  Transferred it to Kindle via USB.  From the Home screen, hit Menu, Settings.  Hit menu again on the Settings screen and selected "Update Your Kindle".

"Your Kindle software is updating.  This can take a few minutes.  Do NOT turn your Kindle off during the update process.  Your Kindle will automatically restart as soon as the update is complete."

There are 5 stages to the updating process. The whole update took about 7 minutes.  For a couple of seconds it showed that I had 0 items, then refreshed and all my items were back.

The screen rotation buttons added: (I rotated a sample, homepage remains rotated once a setting has been selected.)



Haven't tried using a PDF yet, really like the rotate function, though.

[ElaineOK]

I leave whispernet on pretty much all the time (yep, going through courthouse metal detectors and everything).  No sign of 2.3 on mine.  In fact, I am running 2.0.3 on my K2 (purchased March, 2009).

Elaine
Norman, Oklahoma

[MarthaT]

Mine hasn't updated yet

[Prazzie]

Do the update manually, download it from the link provided above (not the press release).

Transferred a PDF, it showed up as the very last item on my Home page, it doesn't appear at the top like New items.  It says "pdf" next to it, where it might say "audio" or "sample".  Once opened, it moved to the top spot in the home page, though.  Looks excellent when rotated sideways.  In Portrait mode, the writing is a bit too small for my liking.  Unlike with converted PDFs, you can't adjust the font size.

[ak rain]

I'd rather see an easier tagging system or 2nd choice  folders but change can be fun
sylvia

[Jesslyn]

Got new update 2.3 on K2u

1.  No more screensaver hack  
2.  Two new screensavers - Ralph Ellison, some fish similar to the birds on twigs and the Kindle ss w/ definition is now the guy under the tree w/ definition
3.  Text looks darker, but I'll compare to a 2.0.x version when my coworker shows up

The page rotation is manual via the Aa key