Friday, June 14, 2013

Kindle Fire News: Software Update version x.4.3 for HD models and 2nd Gen Kindle Fire now available


Amazon's product pages are now showing a software update again for the Kindle Fire HD 7", 8.9" and Kindle Fire 2nd generation models

On June 12th, I did an alert that software update x.4.1 had been withdrawn from the product software pages and those pages had returned to software version x.3.1, although at least two of us had received x.4.3 'over the air' without explanation.

 The wording on the software update pages at Amazon for the new version x.4.3 update now states what was announced when the software update version x.4.1 was offered and they mention the changes (battery percentage status shown, Canadian language support) as if we had not received them before.

There are a couple of features for each plus at least one which had not been mentioned in the earlier announcement of version x.4.1  and that's the implementation of Amazon's Android Appstore apps being made available to customer Kindles outside the U.S., in almost 170 countries now activated for access to that app store.

That and the new Battery Percentage shown in the Status Bar (when enabled) are the key features we see again.

(Other changes that had been reported by customers for x.4.1 (the latest today is x.4.3)
  . Notification sounds are working for some for whom that was not working.
  . Map apps showing location using home location referencing WiFi IP address
      has been fixed for at least one customer (probably using
      nearby WiFi network access info.)

  Am also adding, as usual, UK software pages:
Amazon's new, free software update for Kindle Fire 2nd Generation, Kindle Fire HD 7", and Kindle Fire HD 8.9 are now available at the usual software update help pages:

There are, in addition to bug fixes and performance improvements, the following features added to the three Kindle Fire models noted below the product page descriptions of the changes:
  . Language Support for Canadian English and Canadian French
    You can now change your device language to Canadian English and Canadian French.

  . Enable Battery Percentage in the Status Bar [Applause from many]
    You can now see the total percentage of battery life left when you enable this feature from the Device menu.
Kindle Fire HD 7":
Head over to the Kindle Fire HD 7" Software Update page for more details:
  v7.4.3 US/Most Int'l here.   UK software page.

Kindle Fire HD 8.9":
Please see the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" Software Update page for more information:
  v8.4.3 US/Most Int'l here   UK software page.

Kindle Fire 2nd Generation Software Update page contains information on how to manually install the update if you'd prefer:
  v10.4.3 US/Most Int'l here.   UK software page.

If you need assistance with any of these updates, you can find help at the Kindle Help Forums. '

IF Choosing to Manually Download This Version

(instead of waiting for it to arrive via WiFi)
This update automatically downloads and installs for most Kindle Fire customers; however, you can initiate the software update from your Kindle or manually download the software update via USB (some use the excellent WiFi File Explorer PRO app rather than the USB cable hookup).

Again -- before you begin, confirm your current software version:
  1. KF: Tap the top of the device -- KFHD: Swipe down from the top of the screen.
      Then tap More.
  2. Tap Device, and then tap About.
The instructions for manually downloading -- if needed -- the update via USB are at the software update pages mentioned above.  Most will find it more convenient to have the update arrive via the automated download.

NOTE that when it does arrive, your Kindle Fire will reboot and sometimes it does that twice, so don't be alarmed when it happens while it's idle and you're nearby.


EARLIER posts on Kindle Fire HD

  . Getting non-Amazon apps on Kindle Fires (non-HD Kindle Fires have storage space limitations)
  . More comparisons on iPad mini and Kindle Fire HD
  . Basic Features Comparison Table for iPad mini, Google Nexus 7", Kindle Fire HD 7"
  . Comparison reviews of the Kindle Fire HD 7" and Google Nexus 7" tablets
  . Step-by-step guide for installing a working Adobe Flash player when needed.
  . Google Maps, Street View and other apps on my Kindle Fire, via enabling one device setting
  . Downloading and playing YouTube videos on Kindle Fire HD
  . Using the camera and Video, Panorama mode, Time Lapses
  . App for WiFi file transfers w/o cable.




Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links.
US:
Updated Kindle Fire 2 Basic  7" tablet - $159
Kindle Fire HD 7" 16/32GB - $199/$229 *
Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 16/32GB - $269/$299
Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G 32/64GB - $399/$499
Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $69/$89
Kindle Touch WiFi - $99
Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - $119/$139
Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi+3G - $179/$199
Kindle Keybd 3G - $139/$159, Free slow web
Kindle DX - $379 $299 (Yes)
UK:
Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £69
Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - ~£89 Refurb'd
Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149
  Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB
Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi
£109
Kindle Paperwhite 3G, UK
£169
Kindle Fire 2, UK
 £129
Kindle Fire HD 7" 16/32GB, UK
£159/199
Canada - Kindlestore, CDN-$
Kindle Basic, NoTouch - $79
Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - $129
Kindle Paperwhite, 3G - $199
Kindle Fire HD 7" - 214.00
KFire HD 7" $214,  8.9" $284


*OTHER Int'l pages*
Kindle NoTouch Basic - $89
Kindle Keybd 3G - $189
  Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB
Paperwhite WiFi $139, 3G/Wifi $199
KFire HD 7" $214,  8.9" $284


France Boutique Kindle
Deutschland - Kindle Store
Italia - Kindle Store
Spain - Tienda Kindle
Brazil - Amazon Brazil
China - Amazon China [?]
Japan - Amazon Japan


Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
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(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
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4 comments:

  1. The Battery Status Bar update was well needed. It is such a pain when you are using your device while not knowing when it is going to die. Having to wait for a beeping or some kind of other signal to notify you that you maybe have two minutes to rush to a power source or you will lose your session and maybe never get it back. A Wonderful Update it is, really helps me a lot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So you've had version x.4.1 and been able to try it out and no excess battery drain? This re-done update is pretty new.

      Delete
  2. Great, Now software is update of version X.4.1.latest update version provide some extra features to older one.
    We also have a samples of Kindle, which has Features like kindle touch 3g services,WI-if , accessories and many more things.Our shop price is cheapest as compare to another kindle stores.
    we are giving a 1 year warranty plus Australian accessories.If you want to get it,Go on my website and check it many more advanced feature of kindle.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice to see your blog. You have remarkable information on this web-site.|

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    ReplyDelete

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