Kindle Firmware Updates -

Matt Reading Dennis Lehane - A Drink Before The War

30 Aug 2010, 06:41 AM | Post: #1

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Kindle Firmware Updates

Do Amazon ever release firmware for their Kindles?

The reason I ask is there's a built-in microphone on the new Kindle which currently doesn't do anything. This is what the manual says "Microphone— the microphone is not currently enabled but is provided for future use." Does this mean that it'll only become enabled with updated firmware?

Talking of microphones. What would the microphone be used for? Could it be used to leave ourselves audio notes?

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testmonkey

31 Aug 2010, 08:53 PM | Post: #2

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RE: Kindle Firmware Updates

Amazon have released updates to previous Kindles and will no doubt be doing so for the Kindle 3 as and when the need arises. Whether these updates will add new features or simply fix issues that may arise in the current device all depends.

There's every chance that the microphone will never get used and was simply added as a 'might as well' just in case. The device has audio capability so the addition of a microphone is no great shakes in terms of cost or design. Take a look at Sky boxes - they've long had extra connections on the back that 'might' get used for something but never have been. Certainly makes sense to have the hardware in place ready rather than have to wait for the next version of the device to add the functionality.

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Matt Reading Dennis Lehane - A Drink Before The War

01 Sep 2010, 02:40 AM | Post: #3

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RE: Kindle Firmware Updates

So any future microphone implementation probably won't be forthcoming. I can't say it would have been something I would use. I was more curious than anything else.

Do Amazon listen to customer suggestions for future changes or do they pretty much do their own thing and hope it pacifies the masses?

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testmonkey

01 Sep 2010, 06:42 PM | Post: #4

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RE: Kindle Firmware Updates

Well there is a section in the Kindle support pages where they ask you to give feedback on its features and make suggestions about what you would like to see added in the future.

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phoneman Reading The Various Flavours of Coffee - Anthony Capella

04 Sep 2010, 03:56 PM | Post: #5

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RE: Kindle Firmware Updates

This post was last modified: 04 Sep 2010 11:04 PM by Matt.

There is definitely an update due in the next 10 days or so to overcome the reset and freezing problems some people are having.
See here... http://ireaderreview.com...

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Matt Reading Dennis Lehane - A Drink Before The War

04 Sep 2010, 11:08 PM | Post: #6

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RE: Kindle Firmware Updates

Thanks for posting the link phoneman. Lots of useful information there. It's nice to see Amazon working quickly to resolve the problem but then perhaps the problems should have been ironed out before the Kindles launch.

@phoneman: I edited your post to make the link clickable.

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snowdog99

05 Sep 2010, 07:07 AM | Post: #7

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RE: Kindle Firmware Updates

(04 Sep 2010 11:08 PM)Mutt Wrote: but then perhaps the problems should have been ironed out before the Kindles launch

If you think that I recommend that you never buy a newly launched Apple product.

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Matt Reading Dennis Lehane - A Drink Before The War

05 Sep 2010, 11:03 AM | Post: #8

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RE: Kindle Firmware Updates

Apple amaze me as well. The fact that these problems never materialise during their own testing but only when hundreds of thousands have been shipped to customers.

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Lou Reading Ryria Series by Michael J Sullivan

05 Sep 2010, 11:07 AM | Post: #9

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RE: Kindle Firmware Updates

I think it's pressure from the marketing department - meet the deadline and worry about problems after.

This happens a lot in the video game industry, hence all the patches.

Barnacle Boy! We have to find those stolen Naggy Daddies!

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