Thursday, May 30, 2013

Kindle Fire News: Software Update x.4.1 for HD models and 2nd Gen Kindle Fire available today. Updated info from customers added.


Amazon's product pages are showing a software update for the Kindle Fire HD 7", 8.9" and Kindle Fire 2nd generation models

I looked for information on this after getting an alert from MyKindlestuff's Jesslyn that a new update was apparently being made available on these models.

There are a couple of features for each plus at least one which was not mentioned in the announcement and that's the implementation of Amazon's Android Appstore apps being made available to customer Kindles outside the U.S., in almost 170 countries now activated for access to that app store.

That and the new Battery Percentage shown in the Status Bar (when enabled) are the key features I see.

(Other changes reported by customers:
  . Notification sounds are working for some for whom that was not working.
  . Map apps showing location using home location referencing WiFi IP address
      has been fixed for at least one customer (probably using
      nearby WiFi network access info.)

  Am also adding, as usual, UK software pages:
Amazon's new, free software update for Kindle Fire 2nd Generation, Kindle Fire HD 7", and Kindle Fire HD 8.9 are now available at the usual software update help pages:

There are, in addition to bug fixes and performance improvements, the following features added to the three Kindle Fire models noted below the product page descriptions of the changes:
  . Language Support for Canadian English and Canadian French
    You can now change your device language to Canadian English and Canadian French.

  . Enable Battery Percentage in the Status Bar [Applause from many]
    You can now see the total percentage of battery life left when you enable this feature from the Device menu.
Kindle Fire HD 7":
Head over to the Kindle Fire HD 7" Software Update page for more details:
  v7.4.1 US/Most Int'l here.   UK software page.

Kindle Fire HD 8.9":
Please see the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" Software Update page for more information:
  v8.4.1 US/Most Int'l here   UK software page.

Kindle Fire 2nd Generation Software Update page contains information on how to manually install the update if you'd prefer:
  v10.4.1 US/Most Int'l here.   UK software page.

If you need assistance with any of these updates, you can find help at the Kindle Help Forums. '

IF Choosing to Manually Download This Version

(instead of waiting for it to arrive via WiFi)
This update automatically downloads and installs for most Kindle Fire customers; however, you can initiate the software update from your Kindle or manually download the software update via USB (some use the excellent WiFi File Explorer PRO app rather than the USB cable hookup).

Again -- before you begin, confirm your current software version:
  1. KF: Tap the top of the device -- KFHD: Swipe down from the top of the screen.
      Then tap More.
  2. Tap Device, and then tap About.
The instructions for manually downloading -- if needed -- the update via USB are at the software update pages mentioned above.  Most will find it more convenient to have the update arrive via the automated download.

NOTE that when it does arrive, your Kindle Fire will reboot and sometimes it does that twice, so don't be alarmed when it happens while it's idle and you're nearby.


EARLIER posts on Kindle Fire HD

  . Getting non-Amazon apps on Kindle Fires (non-HD Kindle Fires have storage space limitations)
  . More comparisons on iPad mini and Kindle Fire HD
  . Basic Features Comparison Table for iPad mini, Google Nexus 7", Kindle Fire HD 7"
  . Comparison reviews of the Kindle Fire HD 7" and Google Nexus 7" tablets
  . Step-by-step guide for installing a working Adobe Flash player when needed.
  . Google Maps, Street View and other apps on my Kindle Fire, via enabling one device setting
  . Downloading and playing YouTube videos on Kindle Fire HD
  . Using the camera and Video, Panorama mode, Time Lapses
  . App for WiFi file transfers w/o cable.




Current Kindle Models for reference, plus free-ebook search links.
US:
Updated Kindle Fire 2 Basic  7" tablet - $159
Kindle Fire HD 7" 16/32GB - $199/$229 *
Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 16/32GB - $269/$299
Kindle Fire HD 8.9" 4G 32/64GB - $399/$499
Kindle NoTouch ("Kindle") - $69/$89
Kindle Touch WiFi - $99
Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - $119/$139
Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi+3G - $179/$199
Kindle Keybd 3G - $139/$159, Free slow web
Kindle DX - $379 $299 (Yes)
UK:
Kindle Basic, NoTouch - £69
Kindle Touch WiFi, UK - ~£89 Refurb'd
Kindle Keyboard 3G, UK - £149
  Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB
Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi
£109
Kindle Paperwhite 3G, UK
£169
Kindle Fire 2, UK
 £129
Kindle Fire HD 7" 16/32GB, UK
£159/199
Canada - Kindlestore, CDN-$
Kindle Basic, NoTouch - $79
Kindle Paperwhite, WiFi - $129
Kindle Paperwhite, 3G - $199
Kindle Fire HD 7" - 214.00
KFire HD 7" $214,  8.9" $284


*OTHER Int'l pages*
Kindle NoTouch Basic - $89
Kindle Keybd 3G - $189
  Keybd: w/ Free, slow 3G WEB
Paperwhite WiFi $139, 3G/Wifi $199
KFire HD 7" $214,  8.9" $284


France Boutique Kindle
Deutschland - Kindle Store
Italia - Kindle Store
Spain - Tienda Kindle
Brazil - Amazon Brazil
China - Amazon China [?]
Japan - Amazon Japan

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.

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(Older posts have older Kindle model info. For latest models, see CURRENT KINDLES page. )
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