Kindle Keyboard (Kindle 3) Software Update v3.4 here! Crisper fonts w/ more contrast; KF8 layout support; Comic + picture books; Whispersync for Voice

SOFTWARE VERSION v3.4 IS HERE for delivery to all Kindle Keyboard / Kindle 3 models.

  This is for the physical-keyboard model (Kindle 3 U.S.  [UK: K3]) first released August 2010 and NOT for the later Kindle touch devices nor for the Kindle Basic NO-Touch/No-Keyboard (which gets its own updates)

  This update for older Kindle Keyboard models includes the following changes, which I'll just plop here from the Amazon page (Italics for emphasis, mine).

  Amazon's info page for the v3.4 software update. (Link: bit.ly/kv3-4 )
  (Update page in UK (Link: bit.ly/kv3-4-uk )

Software Update Version 3.4

Version 3.4 is a brand new, free software update for Kindle Keyboard that includes:

• Improved Font:  We've improved the reading font to have more contrast and be more crisp.
• Parental Controls:  With the latest software update for Kindle Keyboard, parents can restrict access to the Experimental Web Browser, the Kindle Store, and Archived Items.  While the Kindle Store and Archived Items are locked with Parental Controls, you can continue to buy books from a computer and send them to the Kindle wirelessly for a child to read.
  
• Kindle Format 8:  KF8 makes books look even better with support for author specified fonts and more book styling options.
• Comic Books: Kindle Keyboard now supports comic books with Kindle Panel View.  Supported titles can be purchased from the Kindle Store.  Books open in Kindle Panel View by default  (a view that allows you to read a comic book panel by panel).
  
• Children's Picture Books: Kindle Keyboard supports children's picture books with Kindle Text Pop-Up. Supported titles can be purchased from the Kindle Store.
  
• Whispersync for Voice: Now you can switch back and forth between reading and listening without losing your place.  Whispersync for Voice will synchronize what you read on any Kindle platform device with Audible playback on Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Fire, or on Audible apps for iPhone and Android. 

The Kindle Forum version states that "The software update will be delivered automatically via wireless to your Kindle in the coming weeks" if you haven't already downloaded it this way.

More from the Kindle Keyboard software update page - Downloading Version 3.4
You can download the latest version at the update page.  ( Update page in UK

The page shows you how to tell what version you have and then what to do based on that version, if you want to download the update and install it rather than wait for it to be delivered 'over the air.'

Please feel free to ask or give your own personal experiences or info learned that will help (as usual - and thanks for the valuable input).

BIG thanks to Tom Semple for the heads-up

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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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Kindle 3 preview-release of software update v3.0.1 available at Amazon

Amazon wants feedback on an "early preview of the next software update" for Kindle 3 and refers to this update-preview as software update version 3.0.1.

They stress this is offered so that "Customers who want to try this early release of the software and provide feedback can download the update from their servers."

  Amazon explains that this update will add

' the ability to create a new Amazon.com account directly from your Kindle,
      as well as
  additional performance improvements.

  After installing this update, please share your feedback with us at kindle-response@amazon.com.  We look forward to hearing about your experience and appreciate your feedback. '

The performance improvements would include software responses to reports that some Kindle 3's have had freezes and/or reboots -- and in phone calls that Kindle tech support reps have made to customers in proactive responses to forum notes, they've offered the interim update with success on most of the problem Kindles, although some forum members have been given replacement Kindles within a day or so, either so that the Kindle crew could analyze them or because they felt a replacement Kindle would be best for the symptoms reported.  One technical representative was reported to have suggested there might be a modem problem in some cases.

To report any unusual problems like this, it's best to write kindle-feedback@amazon.com, as that mail tends to be routed to the development team.

  Installing this preview update, if you're having any problems, will probably be the fastest route to a normally-functioning Kindle, which most people I know have been enjoying, although Len Edgerly did report problems with his Kindle 3.

Instructions at their preview-update page start with:

' Here's how to download Kindle software update version 3.0.1 and transfer it to your Kindle via USB:

1. Determine which type of Kindle you have: Look at the serial number located on the Settings screen.  To view the Settings screen, press Home, then Menu and select Settings.
   
   { You should see something like the following in the bottom right of the status line. }
   
   
   
2. Download your software: Visit the appropriate link...to download the software update file directly to your computer: ... '

They have a good diagram showing how you can determine which software you'd download, depending on your serial number and the type of Kindle 3 you have.

You'll see step-by-step directions there for the download.  I'd say there's no need to install this unless you actually are seeing any problems like this, but I don't expect it would hurt, since programming code will check status to see if a fix is needed.


Kindle 3's   (UK: Kindle 3's),   DX Graphite

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Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers. Below are ways to Share this post if you'd like others to see it.
-- The Send to Kindle button works well only on Firefox currently.

Send to Kindle

(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
If interested, you can also follow my add'l blog-related news at Facebook and Twitter
Questions & feedback are welcome in the Comment areas (tho' spam is deleted). Thanks!