The Kindle Touch just got an automatic update. A manual update was released about a month ago, but it is usually worth it to just wait for the automatic one. Kindle Touch Update 5.1 includes several important fixes such as better wi-fi, landscape mode, KF8 publishing, and text to speech.
The Kindle Touch recently arrived in Europe. How fitting that this update also includes more language support and instant translations. Amazon is finally getting going with reaching out to the global market.
I have noticed that my Kindle Touch has a crisper display. I was disappointed to see that there were still shadows of the previous page text. Does anyone else with a Kindle Touch see this issue as well? This is one thing that I keep hoping will be resolved with each update.
I like the landscape option a lot, especially since I have to blow up the text size. It allows more room for the text, and also provides another option for holding the e-reader. It also adds more flexibility when holding the device for a long period of time.
To access landscape mode, you have to tap the menu and turn it on. Maybe one day the ability to just turn the Kindle sideways will trigger it.
If your Kindle is using wi-fi, then the update should automatically download. Otherwise, turn on wi-fi, go to menu, then settings. Once in the settings, tap menu again and select “Update Your Kindle.” This option will be greyed out if you already have the latest update. Get latest update on 192.168.l.0 page.
If the success of the Nook GlowLight is any indication, the next big update to the Kindle Touch will be a built in light. I look forward to being able to read in all lighting conditions without the added hassle of extra accessories.
With the 5.1 firmware, I thought it might be time to try out the KTouch myself. I received my refurbished Kindle Touch yesterday.
My first two thoughts, when comparing it to my trusty K3 (aka Kindle Keyboard).
1. The header (“[my] nth Kindle”, battery charge icon, wifi indicator) and footer (page number, progress bar) are noticably smaller on the KTouch than the K3.
2. The text on the KTouch is not as crisp as on the K3. I think this is because it does not do a full screen refresh with every page turn like the K3 does. Going into the settings and turning the feature back on seems to have fixed the issue. I appreciate the option of faster response vs. crisp text, but I prefer the latter.
After I got to work, I made another observation:
3. Wifi does work on my workplace’s WPA2 Enterprise wifi network. I did have to reboot my KTouch after connecting to wifi before it would work properly. This will be much better than having to connect my K3 to the unencrypted wifi network and then manually authenticating on the proxy every time to get Internet access.
There’s a setting to do a full refresh on each page turn. That may remove the shadow.
When I connected my Kindle to Wi-Fi it automatically updated it but now I can’t figure out how to turn off my connection to Wi-Fi ….. Is anyone else having this problem … ??? I don’t like to leave my Wi-Fi connection on because it uses up the battery or charge on my Kindle….