AMAZON KINDLE SOFTWARE UPDATE VERSION 2.5 IS being received by customers, including a person at Kindleboards.com who received version 2.52 and also Frankie Sutton at the Amazon forum. The first alert I saw was from @mykindlestuff.Particulars will be reported later. See earlier report about planned roll-out as described by a tech rep to ebook addict and to an earlier hands-on report. Will return soon.
UPDATE - Kindle forum members are continuing to see delivery-reports for software update v2.52. No one knows if this is the 'final' version but at least reports of receipt keep coming in after 3-4 days of no activity.
Some details -
. The much anticipated alphabetical-sorting of listed Collections on the Home Page is not part of the update in this roll-out, sad to say - this was tested and reported by edward boyhan in the ongoing software-update thread linked to before but now over 2,100 notes long.
. One thing not mentioned previously but a feature of 2.5 is that a long book title expands to full title now (in smaller font) when the file is highlighted, so that now it'll be easier to differentiate between files with the same beginning title despite the lack of room to show it on the first line.
. While v2.5 users experienced some slowdowns and more battery drain than before, the v2.52 users have had only positive reports so far (but it hasn't been long). The organization folder-like tagging system has been 'wished for' (in Amazon language) for over 2 years, so this is a big and much-anticipated change for Kindle users.
UPDATE2 - Countries added as they're heard from. At the forums, people have been wondering if the update is being delivered to Kindles outside the U.S., and so far we've heard from Taiwan, Argentina, Spain, Canada, So. Africa, India, and the UK. Whispernet-delivered software dates to now millions of Kindles, globally, can take 3-4 weeks to be distributed. Most of those on the message boards are hoping a file will be made available for manual download and side-loading to the Kindle's root folder soon.
UPDATE3 - A file for Kindle 2 Int'l (only) is making the rounds, pointed to at both MobileRead and Amazon Kindle forums. Some say it works if the K2i has version 2.3.4 on it or the update to v2.3.4 to install first -- earlier files are provided by other customers along with the K2i's v2.52 file, reported to run okay.
But I don't know...Customer Support had said that only some Kindles needed v2.3.4 when they sent a few out. So, my DX did get it but my Kindle U.S. (v2.3.3) did not.
I'm surprised that an update Amazon file would work only if certain updates had been installed previously, which would mean that the new software update would depend on the software version currently used by the Kindle. That hasn't been true in the past.
I encourage caution, but those are the links to files, from known long-time Kindle owners, being offered for people who can't wait and who take responsibility for any risk involved in using a user-offered file (in case it's the wrong file for their Kindles, though that usually just produces no action but you never know). I'm not recommending anything here, just reporting it.
Since Kindle owners are reporting left and right at the Amazon forums that they are getting the update, globally, Amazon should post the official files as well as the User Guide that goes with it.
What's unusual is tbat no new Users Guide or note has been or is going with the update to people who don't know it's coming (as of today). The update changes are quite intuitive, but a quick guide or accompanying e-notice with a link to the help-guides at Amazon would be good.
If you suddenly see "Collections" at the top right of your Kindle, that will be the most easily-noticed indicator you have the update.
Those reading the web blog can search in the top-right searchbox for "v2.5" to find Kindleworld blog articles and features guide for the general update even if the current update is named v2.52.
Kindle-Edition blog subscribers can just start typing, on the Kindle (while reading the blog), '"v.25" and use the 5-way button to click on 'find' (or press the Return/Enter key at bottom right of keyboard) and you'll get a list of results with links to all recent v2.5 info, since your Kindle will have the last 25 blog articles.
To find out exactly which update is currently on your Kindle, press Menu button, select Settings and then look at the number at the bottom right. Earlier updates before this update include versions 2.33 and 2.34 (or lower).
Guide to finding Free or Low-Cost Kindle books and Sources Top 100 free bestsellers
Check often: Latest temporarily free non-classics or late-listed ones.
I'm in Michigan, and receieved 2.5.2 overnight Monday night. Interestingly enough, there was no update to the user's guide, so thank you for posting the links to the online help guide.
ReplyDeletesnell,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. Yes, no change to the online-one yet and no new one on the Kindle at this point.
But version 2.5 help guide will cover 2.52 - glad the links are useful!
Hi Andrys,
ReplyDeleteLove getting your blog on my Kindle and I read in Google Reader each day as well. Great stuff.
My Kindle has always shown v2.3 - never 2.33 or 2.34, etc. Is that normal from what you know?
From Maryland - Your fan, Steve.
in Argentina, I've just received the update during tuesday's night.
ReplyDeleteMacLifer/Steve,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice feedback. Good to know the blog's enjoyed.
Like you, my v2.33 was not received via Whispernet. I always seem to be among the last (until this time) and almost always I'll just download the file when they make it available.
I did that with v2.33 along with many others. However, v2.52 is not up yet as far as I know. I just got back on the computer. Will update that news when I see it though and catch you via Twitter on it maybe. Good luck on it happening soon. I dont have v2.52 either but the v2.5 that came in is enjoyed though I am hoping for less battery drain and I did read that it seemed corrected for one of those who had been using v2.5.
Anonymous in Argentina,
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting us know that Argentina is one of the countries receiving the update (this will be a few people at a time, relatively speaking).
Andrys, update from our conversation on the Kindle Forum...so far the blog fix seems to be working - Ars is updating quickly now, no restarts required. I've also noticed that screen updates are quicker now, even page turns. As for other maintenance tweaks, I notice that my K2i has an expanded 611 page, and seems to be detecting more cell towers than before. Was this hinted at anywhere that you know of? - Scott
ReplyDeleteScott,
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding that interesting information here. Good to read about some quicker response times.
I guess you're seeing more cell towers when using the 311 page?
No, they generally don't talk about improvements of the maintenance variety but I wouldn't be surprised if they include them in any update.
The Kindle forum seems to have increasing numbers of delivery reports today, which is encouraging.
Thanks again!
I wonder if the 2.5.2 update fixes the horrific slowdown in the adding/deleting process when using Collections....(fingers crossed)
ReplyDeleteElmo,
ReplyDeleteI haven't had that horrific slowdown because even if it grays out the file being deleted, v2.5 lets me do anything else I want (true for others reporting on the forums too) and doesn't stall anything I want to do next. There's no actual delay, in other words.
Some slowness upon waking up, and more battery drain than before, which I hear is not happening with version 2.52.
I think the file you picked up probably was problematic for some reason with your Kindle.
LOTS of people reporting delivery now, one after another, at the Kindle forums, so I hope you get yours today.
By the way, from my read, the file is not desposited if you're being active on the Kindle. It tends to happen when the Kindle is put to sleep and there's no user activity.
ReplyDeleteAndrys, haven't tried the 311 page; the warning is pretty dire, but if one can just go in to look around, I might try it. You can, however see the towers from the 611 page as well. In the WCDMA section there is a line marked "Active/Monitored Sets, and in my case, a number like 0;316;-7. These numbers appear and disappear constantly. I know there are only 4 Sprint towers in my area, and 4 of these number sets consistently show up in the display. However, after the 2.5.2 update, I occasionally see numbers from towers in the town 15 miles South of here. Which made me wonder if there might have been a cell tweak in 2.5.2 that allows the Kindles to see more cell sites? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI think there are warnings you could lose current connectivity at least for awhile. Great that you can see the info with '611'...
ReplyDeleteWait, '311' has only been for AT&T Int'l Kindle owners. That would be new for Sprint owners.
I can't even get such a page on my U.S. ones. If you're on Sprint, supposedly you can't change your tower choices. So, that would be quite a change if that were possible.
I can get only '611' and '411' with neither one mentioning cell phone towers or the word 'Sprint' but I get EVDO MODE status as well as WAN time-changes and modem firmware etc...
Yes, would be nice if they somehow strengthened the response.
Oops, screwed up my courage and went past the warning on the 311 setting. Lo and behold, the networks listed were ATT and T-Moble. So, I appear not to be using Sprint after all.
ReplyDeleteMy mistake!
Scott,
ReplyDeleteNo problem! Thanks for checking.
You can use your wireless and web browser in other countries. Great! Not so with my U.S. Kindles...
Andrys,
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying about deleting (it is slow with all files - not just one), but the problem also exists when downloading new content - there is a significant delay between the time "ITEMS DOWNLOADED" appears and the items actually appear in the Kindle's home directory. You haven't noticed this behavior? I've seen it consistently since I set up collections and the time lag has increased as I've added more and more books. With about 300 books, it takes about 45 seconds now. Before setting up categories, it took 2-5 seconds.
I would consider this the most significant bug with 2.5 and hope they've fixed it with 2.5.2.
Elmo,
ReplyDeleteAll I know is I have a little over 200 books and over 200 periodicals, and though there is a delay for some processes to complete I hardly notice because it lets me do other things while that is going on. I haven't had any waiting time.
But it could be that your 300 books to my 200 accounts for the difference. The one time I am held back is when I take the Kindle out of sleep mode and that just definitely takes longer. No complaints so far from the now many v2.52 people though but they've not set up all their collections yet. I did make 30 collections and a few associations per book.
I was glad to read the battery drain doesn't seem affected by v2.52 whereas it has been with my v2.5
There's now a file for the 2ki pointed to at mobiread and even at the Amazon kindle forums. I can't remember, but I think you have a DX?
Hey Andry's , First to all i love your blog, and i really apreciate you putting all the kindle news together, hey I'm outside the US and I was traing to update my kindle to 2.5, anyways i founded this links at the kindle forum at amazon (they were posted by some guy named Billy D. basically you just have to check your version of the kindle and then download from that one on untill of course you arrive to 2.5, here arte the links
ReplyDeleteRod and Debbie me too had 2.3 (399380047)
then I have upgraded to 2.3.3 (431100003) through this link:
http://rs861l34.rapidshare.com/files/382788816/Update_kindle2_gw_2.3.3.bin
then have upgraded to 2.3.4 (431108003) through this link:
http://rs981tl4.rapidshare.com/files/382794043/Update_kindle2_gw_2.3.4.bin
then have upgraded to 2.5.2 (490480060) through this link:
http://download175.mediafire.com/jcis0mt2iipg/nqy2qmnmyjm/Update_431108003_490480060.bin
finally reach to last update and have now collections, Pdf zoom and pan and others new features, works fine till now and I will update if notice any thing other.
I hope this helps
Guillermo,
ReplyDeleteThanks much.
I included links to Amazon threads and Mobileread forum threads on the Kindle 2 Int'l file and what some think are required older files that should be installed first -- though Amazon has never done that before.
That section is at http://bit.ly/kwv252#mupdate.
Thanks again. Congratulations on having the new features.
If anyone with v2.5.2 wonders how some of the features are used, see http://bit.ly/kv25b#how.
- Andrys
I'm in Brazil, and receieved 2.5.2 during last night.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous in Brazil,
ReplyDeleteThanks !
Guillermo's Post is perfect for getting the files. Here is a complete description of the process for those wondering what to do with the files...
ReplyDeleteRod and Debbie me too had 2.3 (399380047)
then I have upgraded to 2.3.3 (431100003) through this link:
http://rs861l34.rapidshare.com/files/382788816/Update_kindle2_gw_2.3.3.bin
*** DO THE UPDATE TO THE KINDLE***
When you have the file, plug your Kindle
into your PC/Mac via the USB cable.
Drag and drop the file you downloaded onto
the Kindle (Drop it right onto the Kindle,
do not put in any of the subfolders).
Then eject your Kindle from your PC/Mac.
Do the following on your Kindle:
Click Home
Click Menu
Choose Settings
Click Menu
Choose Update Your Kindle
It'll take a minute or so to update.
***********
then have upgraded to 2.3.4 (431108003) through this link:
http://rs981tl4.rapidshare.com/files/382794043/Update_kindle2_gw_2.3.4.bin
(dont worry about it being only 59k... That worried me, but it works)
*** DO THE UPDATE TO THE KINDLE***
When you have the file, plug your Kindle
into your PC/Mac via the USB cable.
Drag and drop the file you downloaded onto
the Kindle (Drop it right onto the Kindle,
do not put in any of the subfolders).
Then eject your Kindle from your PC/Mac.
Do the following on your Kindle:
Click Home
Click Menu
Choose Settings
Click Menu
Choose Update Your Kindle
It'll take a minute or so to update.
***********
then have upgraded to 2.5.2 (490480060) through this link:
http://download175.mediafire.com/jcis0mt2iipg/nqy2qmnmyjm/Update_431108003_490480060.bin
finally reach to last update and have now collections, Pdf zoom and pan and others new features, works fine till now and I will update if notice any thing other.
*** DO THE UPDATE TO THE KINDLE***
When you have the file, plug your Kindle
into your PC/Mac via the USB cable.
Drag and drop the file you downloaded onto
the Kindle (Drop it right onto the Kindle,
do not put in any of the subfolders).
Then eject your Kindle from your PC/Mac.
Do the following on your Kindle:
Click Home
Click Menu
Choose Settings
Click Menu
Choose Update Your Kindle
It'll take a minute or so to update.
***********
That was the process that I followed & it Worked!!!! Fun in France!
I received it in EU, Romania. Kindle DX International.
ReplyDeleteI can say the following for the 2 most important things for me:
1. collections, is only a soft thing, U have to manually add or remove a book from collection, if U have 3000 books, is impossible for you to make a mass move.
2. pdf zoom is only possible with fixed percent: 150%, 200%, 300%. Useless. When U read a book, if is no width fit, zoom is useless. U will never use jumper for left-right. I was expecting something like: 1-300% zoom, and I will be the one choosing.
3. they announced new fonts, no new fonts, only new sizes. useless, I think will never use a size 5-10 bigger, with 1-2 words per line.
Smimionov in Romania,
ReplyDeleteYes, I had wished aloud for a multiple-move of books to a Collection, if you read my "hands-on report" at the link I gave above: hands-on report.
Wow, 3000 books. I have 'only' 206 + 210 periodicals. The latter is already in a pre-made Collection called 'Periodicals' -- they will ultimately need to have a method to group-move as you need.
The PDF Zoom -- it's hardly useless -- computer PDF zooms are pretty much the same.
When you put the DX into landscape, you get the zoomed in but fit-to-screen version which normally does quite well.
150x etc gives you only a pre-set-boxed segment but that's very similar to computers where we see only a small boxed zoom-in.
Landscape is the only width-fit that's larger but it generally works. Does not for you?
I too hope for more flexibility later on, but it's a good start in my book.
I remember their announcing two new font-sizes, not two new fonts. They are not useless for the people they were meant for: people who have vision problems. And they are important.
Has anyone else had a problem with the update? Amazon support is looking in to it for me.
ReplyDeleteEO,
ReplyDeleteSo far, no problems that couldn't be resolved. But you don't say what the problem is.
You can also ask many more people at the Amazon Kindle forums to get more feedback on it.
The problem was that when I selected the update option, nothing happened.
ReplyDeleteToday, the kindle support rep called again and said the engineers suggested a reset to factory default, which I did, after saving off my root folders. The update then worked, after the reset. I then copied back the folder contents and all is well. Thanks for responding to me.
I do enjoy your blog and all the good information you collect for us.
EO,
ReplyDeleteGlad you came back to report this. Normally, if it's a problem that an update won't work, and you're sure you have the right file in the Kindle root directory, they'll have you do a Menu/Settings/Restart (rather than a factory-reset which is more drastic and needs a backup in place) and that often will do the trick.
But they must have had you try that already.
At any rate, great that you were able to back up your Kindle files and then just put them back afterward.
Hope you'll be enjoying the features now. If you need a bit of intro, you can go to my v2.5.x intro to get that plus links to apropos Amazon help pages for the features and also a link to a really good hands-on from Ars Technica.
Thanks for the nice feedback too :-)
Andrys -
ReplyDeleteYes, we had tried the restart a few days ago, at which point, the kind support person said she would get back to me after talking to the engineers.
I had planned to use your intro, just didn't know that it would take so many days before I would have the opportunity with 2.5.2 finally working on my kindle.
Again - thanks for your good blog. I will check Ars Technica, too.
Edwina
Edwina,
ReplyDeleteThe link to Ars Technica hands-on is in my intro.
Thanks for the further information - sorry you had to go through so much to get this!
Happy ending though :-) Thanks again.