Amazon (s amzn) has released a series of software upgrades that make its Kindle eReader even more useful. The new software upgrades allow for more efficient management of wireless connectivity as it boosts the total battery charge to about seven days from four days, even with the wireless turned on. That’s a roughly 85 percent boost…not bad! In addition, the upgrade brings native PDF support to the 6-inch Kindles without first converting the file into a Kindle-readable format. You can simply email PDFs to your Kindle email address or move them to Kindle via the USB connection. Now that should make it easier for you to subscribe to and read all the research on GigaOM Pro on your Kindle 🙂
The battery boost is great news! Hopefully their estimates are reasonably accurate.
Does anyone know what version number this software update is? Mine’s currently showing 2.2.2, but I’m not sure if it’s changed.
The new firmware is version 2.3, Darrell. I haven’t received it yet either. Also, folks should realize that the battery boost is only for the Global Wireless Kindles that use the HSPA radio. Older Kindles in the U.S. running on Sprint’s EVDO network won’t see any battery gain. 🙁
PDF support is great !!!! I wish the price were a little less around 199 $.
It’s about time they added PDF support. Glad to see better battery life too. Another price drop and I’m buying a Kindle.
Why not try to win the Kindle? A competition is on Americanlisted there u go:
http://www.americanlisted.com/competition/
You can switch back and forth between reading and listening, and your spot is automatically saved. Pages automatically turn while the content is being read, so you can listen hands-free. You can choose from both male and female voices which can be sped up or slowed down to suit your preference. In the middle of a great book or article but have to jump in the car? Simply turn on Text-to-Speech and listen on the go.