Reset the furthest page read, share free book chapters and get updates before anyone else
Share free book previews
The latest version of the Kindle software, which arrived in February (www.snipca.com/19574) adds new ways to share, letting you send a free preview of a book’s opening passages or chapters to friends (and they don’t need a Kindle or Kindle app to read them). First, tap, hold and drag to select a section of text. Next, tap Share, followed by the method of sharing. To share via email, for example, tap E-mail, then tap Add (beside To), type the email address, tap Save, then tap to change Subject or Personal Message (optional). Finally, tap Send.
Adjust brightness with a swipe
In the reading view of the Kindle Android app, you can adjust brightness simply by swiping up and down on the screen with two fingers. You can also choose to have the brightness adjust automatically with your device’s main brightness level, meaning the illumination will change to compensate for light levels in the room you’re reading. To enable this, tap the middle of the reading pane, tap the font icon (‘Aa’) then tap to tick ‘Use system brightness’.
Reset the furthest page read
It takes just one wayward swipe or fumble to accidentally jump forward a whole section of a book on your Kindle — and this error is then synced to all other Kindle devices and apps. That can be really annoying, but you can reset the furthest page read by visiting Amazon’s ‘Manage Your Content and Devices’ page, at www.amazon.co.uk/mycd. Log in, click the Your Content tab, scroll through or search to find the relevant title, then click the Actions button (three dots), followed by ‘Clear furthest page read’.
Capture screenshots
On Kindle e-readers with touchscreens you can take a screenshot by tapping simultaneously in any two opposing corners (say, top left and bottom right, or top right and bottom left). This is useful if you want to share page layouts or illustrations via email, or to show a friend a particular option (perhaps from the tips on this page). Shots are saved as PNG files in the top folder of your Kindle’s storage drive, so connect it to your computer via USB to drag and drop between the two. To capture screenshots on the Kindle Android app, press the power button and down-volume button at the same time. On iPhones and iPads, press the power and home buttons together — the screenshots will be stored in the respective photo rolls.
Read on the web
Did you know that you can read your Kindle books wherever you have access to a web browser? It’s achieved using Kindle Cloud Reader and setup is done by simply visiting https://read.amazon.co.uk and logging in with your existing Amazon details. The experience is much the same as with a Kindle or the Kindle apps for tablets and phones, so you should feel at home right away.
Don’t wait for updates
Getting Kindle updates is normally simply a matter of waiting: Amazon sends the latest software versions ‘over the air’ (OTA) automatically to all compatible devices. These OTA updates are rolled out over several weeks, so you could have a long wait to get the new stuff – but you can jump the queue by downloading and installing manually.
First, determine your Kindle model by visiting www.snipca.com/19593. Next, visit www.snipca.com/19594, select your Kindle model, click the ‘Download Software Update [Version Number]’ link, and wait for the file to download.
Now connect your Kindle to your computer via USB, then drag and drop the downloaded file on to your Kindle. When that’s done, remove the USB connection then, on your Kindle home screen, tap the menu icon (three dots, top right), followed by Settings and then Update Your Kindle. Tap OK and wait for your Kindle to restart.