Major Update to Popular Amazon Product Leaves Users Upset and Confused
According to The Street, If you’re a digitally native user of the internet in 2024, you’ve likely placed an order online, with many of those orders directed to Amazon (AMZN). For Prime members, who number around 200 million and growing each quarter, the retailer’s innovations and acquisitions—from the voice-enabled Alexa to the Kindle e-reader and Ring doorbell—provide a range of benefits.
The Value of Prime Membership
Being a Prime member unlocks access to numerous sales, deals, and promotions, such as those seen during Prime Day. However, even non-Prime members can enjoy many of Amazon’s offerings without paying the $140 annual membership fee.
One of Amazon’s standout features is its devices, which are often available without a Prime membership. For example, the Kindle e-reader allows book and magazine lovers to store thousands of publications in a compact format, minimizing glare and eye fatigue. While discounts on Kindle devices are rare, during the July Prime Days, a Kindle Scribe was offered at about 30% off its regular price. This model, which boasts glare-free text, a paper-like finish, long battery life, and writing capabilities, currently retails for approximately $340. With estimates suggesting that Amazon has sold between 20 million and 90 million Kindles, it’s clear these devices are among the retailer’s top sellers.
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Recent Kindle Update Sparks User Backlash
Despite their popularity, Kindles are not without issues. Amazon frequently updates its devices, but the latest firmware update (5.16.10.0.1), released this summer, has left many users confused and frustrated. Key changes in the update include:
- Changes to the reading progress font
- Slower updates for reading progress
- Reading progress potentially affecting margin sizing and page formatting
- Time displayed in military format (currently non-adjustable)
- Reports of increased battery drain after the update
One user on Reddit expressed their dissatisfaction, stating, “The latest update made my 10th gen Paperwhite insufferable! The device, which functioned perfectly before, is now glitchy and unresponsive. Yes, page refresh is turned off, but everything lags now.”
Another user lamented, “I just want my device back to the way it was a few days ago! This update has made my reading experience frustrating, and I’ve had to restart my Kindle multiple times because the screen becomes unresponsive.”
Users have echoed these sentiments, reporting issues such as freezing screens and delayed responsiveness when trying to highlight text or navigate the interface. Some, however, see potential for improvement, suggesting that Amazon should make certain features, like clock size and reading progress display options, adjustable to cater to different preferences.
Amazon’s Response
As of now, Amazon has not publicly addressed the complaints regarding the latest Kindle update. Historically, when users have raised issues, the company has released follow-up software updates to resolve outstanding problems. As frustrations mount among Kindle users, many are hoping for a prompt resolution to restore their reading experience to its former quality.
