Thread in Kindle subreddit says kindle now has cover as screensaver option

[JSWolf]

This is a good reason to go Kobo instead of Amazon.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by jhowell

Others have reported success with side loaded books. I suspect the metadata may influence whether it works or not.

I am still waiting for the feature on my Kindle. I plan to do some testing to see exactly what is required to make it function.

I will look forward to your findings!

[Braid]

I suppose I don't actually have any objection at all with Amazon's practice of rolling out new features in a piecemeal fashion (I wouldn't describe it as "haphazard" because they may do it this way intentionally).

On the other hand, I do think Amazon should allow some way for e-reader nerds such as us, who probably make up a minority of their consumers, to force the update on our devices, without having to wait. If Amazon has good reason to roll out their updates in this non-uniform fashion, I don't see what difference it would make to allow the option of forcing the latest update for those who are so inclined.

[binaryhermit]

I think the idea is if a feature is broken in a device-bricking way, there's only a few people with messed up devices, rather than everybody.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Braid

I suppose I don't actually have any objection at all with Amazon's practice of rolling out new features in a piecemeal fashion (I wouldn't describe it as "haphazard" because they may do it this way intentionally).

On the other hand, I do think Amazon should allow some way for e-reader nerds such as us, who probably make up a minority of their consumers, to force the update on our devices, without having to wait. If Amazon has good reason to roll out their updates in this non-uniform fashion, I don't see what difference it would make to allow the option of forcing the latest update for those who are so inclined.

It's very much haphazard. As was stated earlier in this thread, two Kindles updated at the same time and only one gets the new feature and the other does not.

If there is a reason behind this haphazard firmware updating, Amazon should tell us.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by binaryhermit

I think the idea is if a feature is broken in a device-bricking way, there's only a few people with messed up devices, rather than everybody.

Amazon should have tested the new feature(s) before rolling them out. No Kindle should brick due to any feature in the firmware. I don't see why all features cannot be enabled as soon as the Kindle has rebooted after the firmware update.

[JSWolf]

Is amazon now going to change their Kindle listing to say not all features work with the ad-supported version of the firmware?

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Is amazon now going to change their Kindle listing to say not all features work with the ad-supported version of the firmware?

Why do you ask when you know the answer? Amazon has never offered such a disclaimer.

[binaryhermit]

Because how else would he get a shot in at Amazon?

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by binaryhermit

Because how else would he get a shot in at Amazon?

Good point.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Is amazon now going to change their Kindle listing to say not all features work with the ad-supported version of the firmware?

Originally Posted by Skydog

Why do you ask when you know the answer? Amazon has never offered such a disclaimer.

Have they ever highlighted a feature that is disabled in ad supported models?

Originally Posted by binaryhermit

Because how else would he get a shot in at Amazon?

To give the devil (or obnoxiously repetitive misinformation spreader, whatever,) his due, if amazon highlight or even mention the cover display feature and do not equally prominently disclose that it is disabled in ad supported models, they are well into misleading territory.

[tomsem]

Folks, this is barely even a feature worth mentioning. If you use a cover, you will never even see the images.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

To give the devil (or obnoxiously repetitive misinformation spreader, whatever,) his due, if amazon highlight or even mention the cover display feature and do not equally prominently disclose that it is disabled in ad supported models, they are well into misleading territory.

Amazon’s web page documenting this feature makes it clear.

The Display Cover feature works with select Kindle devices without ads....

The Display Cover feature is available on the without-ads versions of select devices...

If you have an ad-supported version of one of the Kindle devices listed above, it's easy to upgrade. To remove ads from your device, follow one of the steps below. The process requires a one-time payment of $20.

[Braid]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's very much haphazard. As was stated earlier in this thread, two Kindles updated at the same time and only one gets the new feature and the other does not.

If there is a reason behind this haphazard firmware updating, Amazon should tell us.

Unless there is a reason that the feature is rolled out to some devices of each model, but not others. For example, if it causes bugs in e.g. the Kindle Voyage, then only some Voyage users, rather than all Voyage users, will have to suffer the bug. Thus, if this is reason for the piecemeal/gradual rollout, then it only appears haphazard, and it is actually purposeful.

Of course, given that we don't know why they organize it this way, we can say that it appears haphazard.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I cannot see what the reason is. I've never heard of or seen any other Reader besides Amazon who holds back new features and rolls them out in such a haphazard fashion.

On almost every new firmware release, Kobo gives it to some affiliates before others. It is not usually rolled out to everybody at the same time.