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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Kindle Tips: Software Update v5.6.1.1 for original Paperwhite 1 (US, UK) ... Info and tips on how to use the features



Amazon has announced software update version 5.6.1.1 for the original Paperwhite-1

The announcement, posted in the Kindle Forums, was for a "free software update available for the original Kindle Paperwhite.  This update adds features including Word Wise and Family Library that were previously only available on newer generation Kindle e-readers."

The software update includes "general improvements and the following feature enhancements"

Added text in brackets and emphases in boldface or italics are mine:

~Word Wise -For readers learning English and kids learning to read, Word Wise, available on many English language titles, makes it easier to enjoy and quickly understand more challenging books.  Short and simple definitions automatically appear above difficult words, so you can keep reading with fewer interruptions.
[Tip: Here's a page on HOW to use Wordwise, including how to turn it off or on.  The page explains that not all books are wordwise-enabled.  Here's a link to Amazon's listing of currently Wordwise-enabled books.]
  To learn more or to see the various meanings the same word can have in different contexts, just tap on the word to bring up a simple card with definitions, synonyms, and more.
  You can adjust the number of hints you see with a simple slider, dialing them up or down as you learn and grow.  See a screenshot.

~Family Library- With Kindle and Kindle reading apps, you can access not only your own books, but also books from the Amazon account of a spouse or partner.  See a screenshot
[Tip: Prime members that use a business name can share free 2-day Prime-shipping among 4 employees sharing the space.]
~Kindle FreeTime Unlimited - An all-in-one subscription for kids that offers unlimited, ad-free access to more than 5,000 age-appropriate books, videos, educational apps and games, for as little as $2.99 per month.
  [Tip: Freetime Info Links for specific Kindle devices:
  Paperwhite 1; later Kindle eReaders; and Fire tablets]
~Expanded X-Ray for Books - X-Ray now makes it easier to explore as you read-quickly flip through all the images in a book, and use the new timeline view to easily browse the most notable passages.  See a screenshot.

~Deeper Goodreads Integration - Goodreads on Kindle makes it quicker to access and update your reading status and adds the ability to preview and purchase books without leaving Goodreads.  See a screenshot.

~Enhanced Search - Makes it even easier to find what you're looking for by combining and previewing results from your Library, Goodreads and the Kindle Store on the same page.  See a screenshot

~About This Book- See information about the book as you start to read, including its place in a series and author information, plus mark it as "Currently Reading" on Goodreads.  See a screenshot

These features will be delivered automatically as part of a free, over-the-air software update in the coming weeks, or you can visit [the Paperwhite1 software page] to download the software update [U.S.]...'  [the UK Paperwhite 1 owners page here]

I corrected some links in the original announcement on the forums.

It's good to see Amazon continuing to support the original Kindle Paperwhite (2012).



Check often: Temporarily-free recently published Kindle books
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.  Liked-books under $1
UK-Only: recently published free books, bestsellers, or £5 Max ones
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

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8 comments:

  1. RedpointRikJuly 13, 2015 at 2:31:00 PM PDT

    CAUTION: Kindle PaperWhite v1 locks on font screen with 5.6.1.1
    I just updated my wife's PaperWhite to firmware v 5.6.1.1, and now when we try to adjust the font size (Aa) it locks on the font selection screen. The font of the book actually changes in the background, but pressing the "X" in the upper right will not close the font screen, and the only solution is to restart the device.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJuly 14, 2015 at 2:34:00 AM PDT

      Rik, thanks for the feedback. I went to my Paperwhite 1 and saw that it's still at v5.4.4.2 - I generally have WiFi Off, to save battery, and I guess that's on reason it's not been updated.

      You mention this happened with a book. Have you tried this with another book? I ask because some books come with the publisher's own preferred font and may be more prone to problems with font changes.

      Hope you've reported this to kindle-feedback@amazon.com ...


      Delete
    2. Tom SempleJuly 20, 2015 at 6:31:00 PM PDT

      I'd echo Andrys' question: is it specific to one book or to all books? I've seen specific books with performance issues when tapping a footnote reference, but it did 'come back' when I waited a minute or two. In that case it was a formatting issue caused by having excessive (and redundant) nesting of div tags.

      Note that you can ordinarily tap anywhere outside of the Display Settings popup to dismiss it, and not just on the 'X'. And pinch/spread gesture is a shortcut for changing font size down/up.

      Delete
    3. UnknownJuly 21, 2015 at 10:51:00 AM PDT

      Tom, I'd forgotten that pinch/spread (or narrow) changes the font size. Thanks for that.

      I tried to update the comments the other day but it didn't "take" apparently. I left WiFi On and my v6.6.1.1 software update did arrive and was installed on the old Paperwhite 1. I tried several font changes on two books and had no freezing issues, so I think it may have been a particular book (with publisher's special formatting) that caused what Rik saw...

      Delete
    4. AnonymousNovember 28, 2015 at 7:04:00 PM PST

      I'm having the same problem with version 5.6.1.1 on Paperwhite V1. The Display Settings box locks whenever I attempt to change the font size or style. I've tested it on four different books. Paperwhite doesn't respond even when touching outside of the Display Settings box. Restart required to get it to respond again.

      Delete
    5. UnknownApril 6, 2016 at 10:40:00 PM PDT

      I encounter the same problem after upgraded my Paperwhite V1 to version 5.6.1.1. Attempt to change the font size by pinch/spread doesn't work. when I open the fonts menu, it gets stuck on the screen and can't be closed - I had to reboot the kindle.
      Please provide a fix ASAP, or else is there a way to return to the previous firmware ?

      Delete
    6. UnknownApril 9, 2016 at 5:49:00 AM PDT

      Ami, I do have the Paperwhite 1 with the update 5.6.1.1 ...
      On mine, I can change the font size by pinch/spread. And my fonts menu works.

      There are two things you can try. One is to hold the ON button for 20+ seconds, ignoring the dialog box, and that will do a 'restart' (soft reboot that clears memory). Then press again to turn it back on. It'll pause while it collects itself. Things may be fine after that.

      Another way to do it is to go to
      Home / Settings / Device options / Menu again / Restart

      Once the Kindle restarts, the display settings may work as they should.


      IF NOT, try
      Home / Settings / Device options / Menu again / Reset Deivce

      Resetting the device may remove NON-Kindle books and documents but all your Kindle books will be there.

      Then after the Kindle starts again, do
      Home / Settings / Sync and Check for Items

      This latter step has helped a couple of people.

      If NONE of that works, call Kindle Support at 866-321-8851
      or go to http://amzn.to/kcallme
      and choose to get a phone call from them. It takes a couple of seconds for them to call you.

      Then they can see what else to try with their help.

      Hope that helps. Let me know if it does or doesn't.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJuly 19, 2015 at 7:19:00 PM PDT

    Most the changes are minimal, but I revile the search changes!!!

    ReplyDelete

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