New Kindle e-reader update brings Recaps and Double Tap to Page Turn
Amazon is rolling out a new software update to Kindle e-readers that brings two new features aimed at upending your reading experience. The new Recaps feature promises to quickly get up to speed with the storylines and characters when starting a new book in a series while a handy Double Tap gesture will let you tap the side or back of your Kindle to turn pages or scroll through your book library.
Amazon pitches its new Recaps feature like the "Previously on..." segment before a streaming binge, aiming to solve that familiar brain-freeze when returning to a book series after a long break. Recaps offers quick refreshers on storylines and characters for thousands of popular English-language series. You can spot if recaps are available by looking for a "View Recaps" button on the series page in your library. Also rolling out is Double Tap to Page Turn feature, which lets you double-tap the sides or back of the device to advance pages within a book or scroll down through your Home and Library feeds. Amazon notes this can be toggled on or off in the device settings (Settings > Device Options), offering a more convenient way to navigate when reading one-handedly.
Recaps and Double Tap gesture are coming to these Kindles
The Recaps feature will be rolling out to the Kindle Scribe, Paperwhite, Scribe, Oasis, and Kindle basic models. Amazon says the feature "will soon be available on the Kindle app for iOS" as well. Here’s the complete list of supported devices:
- Kindle Scribe (2024)
- Kindle Scribe (2022)
- Kindle Colorsoft
- Kindle Paperwhite (12th Gen) — 2024 release
- Kindle Paperwhite (11th Gen) — 2022 release
- Kindle Paperwhite (10th Gen) — 2019 release
- Kindle (11th Gen) — 2024 release
- Kindle (11th Gen) — 2022 release
- Kindle (10th Gen) — 2019 release
- Kindle Oasis (10th Gen) — 2019 release
Meanwhile, the Double Tap to Turn Page feature will be limited to just two devices:
- Kindle Colorsoft
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (12th Gen) — (2024 release)
The update, version 5.18.1, is being delivered as an over-the-air (OTA) update to eligible Kindles. Your device should automatically download and install it when connected to Wi-Fi. If you're eager to get your hands on the features sooner, manual sideloading is an option. To do that, download the appropriate update package for your model from this page and then follow Amazon’s installation instructions.
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