Showing posts with label kindle fire software update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindle fire software update. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Kindle Fire SOFTWARE UPDATE, VERSION 6.2.1 is here-- Two ways to get it.



KINDLEFIRE SOFTWARE UPDATE VERSION 6.2.1 IS READY

Kindle Fire Software Update, V6.2.1 is available online, and downloadable at the link, in case the update isn't already on your Kindle Fire and you decide you want it right away.

The announcement was made by Amazon on a Kindle Forum thread.  Mine is still at v6.2 and the 'Update your Kindle" button for "System Version" setting is grayed out.  So I'll be updating instead of waiting, though the latter will be easier for most.  I don't think they'll take their time on sending this to the devices.

  IN FACT, while typing this, I noticed my Kindle Fire updating in that my screen was 'on' when it should be off, so I checked the Menu settings and saw that it had already updated my Kindle Fire to v6.2.1, so, yes, they are apparently 'on' this one.  Since I am usually among the last to get any over-the-air update, I recommend that most wait for it to happen unless they need to have it now and haven't been updated yet.  See further below on that.

  The forum announcement in whole (bold face emphases mine):

Initial post: Dec 20, 2011 7:25:14 PM PST

The Amazon Kindle team says:
(AMAZON OFFICIAL)

We have a new, free over-the-air software update available for Kindle Fire. This update enhances fluidity and performance, improves touch navigation responsiveness, gives you the option to choose which items display on the carousel, and adds the ability to add a password lock on Wi-Fi access. The update will be automatically delivered to your Kindle Fire.

For more information about the software update go to www.amazon.com/kindlesoftwareupdates.


As mentioned, here's the actual software update page for the Kindle Fire update v6.2.1 rather than have you choose from several possible ones on the page they cite.  They are sending these out pretty quickly, I think, as in doing the forum I encountered an unusual slowdown in Amazon server request time which just about never happens on the forums.

On the forum thread, some people had slower downloads to start, in getting the new software, while others had normal download times -- probably because they're busy sending these out probably a few million devices.

  With respect to Carousel changes, Q points out that "Unfortunately, to clean books off your carousel is still one book at a time. But it does go fairly fast."


Amazon's directions on the software update page:
' If you are not sure what software version you're running, tap the Quick Settings icon, tap "More," then tap "Device."  If your System Version is "Current version: 6.2.1," you are running the latest software.  If your System Version is "Current version: 6.0, 6.1, or 6.2" follow the instructions [at that page] to take advantage of all of the features available for Kindle Fire.
. . .
To update your Kindle, ensure
  . you are connected to a Wi-Fi network and that
  . your battery is fully charged.

  Tap the Quick Settings icon in the upper right corner of your device,
  then tap "Sync."

The software update will automatically download in the background and will be applied once download is complete and the device is asleep. '

The above describes a semi-automated update.

However, if you don't have a WiFi connection at the time and want to do this, you can do a MANUAL update at the software update page for Kindle Fire, where Amazon has step-by-step directions, for doing this with a USB cable to transfer the update to your Kindle Fire.

This time, Amazon did provide some notes on what is being updated.

  If you have reactions to these changes or find any other ones, and have time, please let us know what you find.   Thanks.



Kindle Touch 3G   Kindle Touch WiFi   Kindle Basic   (UK: KBasic)   Kindle Fire
Kindle Keybd 3G   (UK: Kindle Keybd 3G)   K3 Special Offers   K3-3G Special Offers   DX

Check often: Temporarily-free recently published ones
  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.

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Kindle Fire SOFTWARE UPDATE, VERSION 6.2 ready -- Two ways to get it.



KINDLEFIRE SOFTWARE UPDATE VERSION 6.2 IS READY

Kindle Fire Software Update, V6.2 is available online, and downloadable at the link if the update isn't already on your Kindle Fire.


The 'announcement' was made by customers on a Kindle Forum thread after they saw the update appear on their Kindle Fires.  Mine is still at v6.1 and the 'Update your Kindle" button for "System Version" setting is grayed out.

  Along with the improvements listed on the update page, one forum member mentioned "way faster web browsing!"  (I've no idea if that is so or if it was just a faster experience at the time.)

Amazon's directions:
' If you are not sure what software version you're running, tap the Quick Settings icon, tap "More," then tap "Device."  If your System Version begins with "Current version: 6.2," you are running the latest software.  If your System Version begins with "Current version: 6.0 or 6.1," follow the instructions [at that page] to take advantage of all of the features available for Kindle Fire.
. . .
To update your Kindle, ensure
  . you are connected to a Wi-Fi network and that
  . your battery is fully charged.

  Tap the Quick Settings icon in the upper right corner of your device,
  then tap "Sync."

The software update will automatically download in the background and will be applied once download is complete and the device is asleep. '

The above describes a semi-automated update.

However, if you don't have a WiFi connection at the time and want to do this, you can do a MANUAL update at the software update page for Kindle Fire, where Amazon has step-by-step directions.


What was changed?
As too often happens, Amazon gives no notes on what is being updated, outside of saying that the update "provides improvements to the operation of your Kindle Fire."


Some possible answers by customers in the forum (Amazon should be doing this, with any software update.)

  Customer James G. Henderson posted in the Amazon Kindle Forum thread the following improvements noted:
' Better parental controls in the ap store, more responsive touchscreen, back button works better, less spazzy carousel navigation, and typing is improved. '
I don't know if he just noticed these things or if some Mobileread Forum members have again looked at some of the changes in the code and determined the above, which they try to do for each update where Amazon chooses not to communicate what was improved.

  No one has reported the hoped-for carousel-content changes customers have requested in large numbers on the Amazon forum -- that we be able to NOT display (via an option setting) every book in our archive.  Maybe it's there but not noticed yet.

  If you notice changes and have time, please let us know what you find.   Thanks.



Kindle Touch 3G   Kindle Touch WiFi   Kindle Basic   (UK: KBasic)   Kindle Fire
Kindle Keybd 3G   (UK: Kindle Keybd 3G)   K3 Special Offers   K3-3G Special Offers   DX

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

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Kindle Fire Software Update, Version 6.1 ready -- Two ways to get it.



KINDLEFIRE SOFTWARE UPDATE VERSION 6.1 IS READY

Kindle Fire Software Update, V6.1 is available online, and here's where you can download it, if it's not already on your Kindle Fire.

I understand that some have seen their new Kindle Fires reboot and install an update after they've opened it.  Some have noted slowness, which improved on a reboot (maybe the update was on it, ready to be activated).


Amazon's directions:
' To check whether you have Kindle Fire Software V6.1 already, or not -- tap the Quick Settings icon, tap "More," then tap "Device."

If your System Version begins with "Current version: 6.1," you are running the latest software.  If your System Version begins with "Current version: 6.0," follow the instructions [at that page] to take advantage of all of the features available for Kindle Fire.
. . .
To update your Kindle, ensure
  . you are connected to a Wi-Fi network and that
  . your battery is fully charged.

  Tap the Quick Settings icon in the upper right corner of your device,
  then tap "Sync."

The software update will automatically download in the background and will be applied once download is complete and the device is asleep. '

The above describes a PARTIALLY automated update.

However, if you don't have a WiFi connection at the time and want to do this, you can do a MANUAL update at the software update page for Kindle Fire, where Amazon has step-by-step directions.



Kindle Touch 3G   Kindle Touch WiFi   Kindle Basic   (UK: KBasic)   Kindle Fire
Kindle Keybd 3G   (UK: Kindle Keybd 3G)   K3 Special Offers   K3-3G Special Offers   DX

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

  *Click* to Return to the HOME PAGE.  Or click on the web browser's BACK button