The basic, non touchscreen version of the Kindle just got a new update. The update includes improved readability, parental controls, and better support for graphics. Good to know that this model is still getting some attention since most of the focus seems to be on the Kindle Touch and Kindle Fire.
The text display is supposedly sharper and intends to provide better readability. I have a Kindle Touch. I am curious to see how the displays compare for both versions. Since the $79 Kindle has physical buttons, it probably doesn’t experience the issue with text trails or shadows that the Kindle Touch does.
The best part of the update in my opinion, is the ability to view comics in side view. The e-ink Kindle is so close to the nature of traditional comics, as opposed to the bright tablet screens, that it is only natural that it would include accommodations for better viewing.
For children’s books, the update includes Kindle text pop up, the ability to zoom into part of the screen.
Books that allow zooming have that capability.
I’m not sure how important adding parental controls is because the web browser isn’t all that easy to use to begin with. However, a lot of young kids got this model since it is inexpensive and simple to use, so having parental controls is a nice feature to have. Read about 192.168.1.1.
With all of that said, the manual download is available for those who want to go ahead and get the new update. This is also handy for those who don’t have wi-fi access.
If you’re willing to wait, the update will download automatically onto your Kindle sometime soon. In their usual fashion, Amazon is being vague about when exactly it will happen.
Stay tuned.