Firmware Update New Kindle software update: 5.18.5

[Frogm4n]

I don't recall that it's a fork, but it seems simplifying and streamlining was the goal of Plato. I used it for a bit but didn't get along with it. I know there was something about it that I wanted that it wouldn't do, but KOReader did, but I don't remember what that was in particular. If it had, though, I think I'd still have used it.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by tomsem

I have it installed on one of my PocketBook devices, just to play with, but still prefer the stock reader (despite its limitations).

IMO KOReader is a bloated, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink feature mess. I wish someone would do a fork and prune it down to something more curated and elegant.

That's right. I use a reading programme on Android that also has many customisation options (AlReader X). The author of that programme finally decided to release a simplified version of it (alongside the full version) because some users feel overwhelmed by so many options and want something simpler.

I really like KOReader, but it also has its limitations, and I completely understand that there are users (the majority) who would not even consider installing it on their e-readers.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by jlinear

I find the page formatting options provided by Kobo’s standard Nickel firmware perfectly adequate. Kindle would do well to provide something similar.

Of course. And Kobo could also offer other features that Kindle has, such as synchronisation, sending files by email, a translator, longer battery life or a powerful ecosystem like Amazon's (or a low-cost 7" monochrome e-reader, which many people on this forum are longing for). If you compare one e-reader with another, you will always find differences between them. Because Kindle or Kobo e-readers (or any other brand) are neither better nor worse. They are different. And each user chooses the one that best suits their preferences or offers something that the competition does not have.

I have never pitted my e-readers against each other. I think all brands have something to offer and complement each other quite well. I think Kindle is one of the best options on the market, not because most e-reader users choose it, but because I really like what it offers. And, of course, there are some things I miss. I feel exactly the same way about Kobo, PocketBook, Onyx Boox, or any other brand.

[juco]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Does this invalid ASIN error come up if you have WiFi off?

I didn't try this, I keep WiFi always on and never had any problems before.

A chap calling himself Rwilliams120 writes in the Amazon forum thread:

... But I may have found the root cause and a quicker workaround. It seems that there is a new menu item if you push the three dots next to the book in your library on your Kindle The very top menu item is now " see in store ". I think that a recent update of the software is forcing the first time you open a book to take you to the Kindle store based on the ASIN And if you have an invalid number it gets stuck in a loop and won't let you out of the store. So with that venue open I pushed the "go to " selection and it took me into the book and I was able to navigate to the first page of the story after which I was able to back out of the book and go straight back into the book where I left off. This appears to skip the first opening routine that sends you to the Kindle store. That is what Amazon Kindle software gurus need to fix. Stop pushing us to the Kindle store the first time we open a book. We know how to go to the Kindle store if we want to browser buy a book. Don't force it on first opening.

I have now successfully opened 3rd party sideloaded books and books that I have pushed to my Kindle library by using the menu selection " go to " on several books so I am satisfied that this will continue to work as a workaround until Amazon stops pushing us to the Kindle store by default the first time you open a book on your Kindle. I hope this helps everybody that's having this problem.

So there you go. A bug is a bug is a bug...

Greetings from Germany,
Ralph

[nathanwj]

I may have noticed a recent software change with the Goodreads integration. Is that new that it's back? They call it "Goodreads Shelves".

I thought before it was limited or had been removed. I think they wanted us to access Goodreads through the browser.

[joblack]

Unfortunately the 100 percent bug is still active. The Kindle won't set an e-book or document to 'read' even after you reach 100 percent.

[odamizu]

I don't have a new enough Kindle to run 5.18.5 and test this, but I saw on Reddit that turning off "About This Book" (which shows "information about the book when you open it for the first time") may solve the Invalid ASIN problem.

P.S. Has anyone running 5.18.5 successfully removed DRM from a book published after September 14, 2025?

[Sats]

Originally Posted by odamizu

P.S. Has anyone running 5.18.5 successfully removed DRM from a book published after September 14, 2025?

That is probably going to be more difficult, if at all possible...

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by odamizu

P.S. Has anyone running 5.18.5 successfully removed DRM from a book published after September 14, 2025?

Edit: Will move my reply to the Dealing with Kindle ebooks in calibre thread.

[odamizu]

Bleaker and bleaker. Thank you @Sats and @jhowell

[Waylander]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What I do is set a -45px L/R margins in html in CSS and it works. It even works on the PW5. The page break is to fix a bug from back when. No idea if it's still needed. But as it causes no problem, it's staying.

html {
  margin-right: -47px;
  margin-left: -47px;
  break-inside: avoid !important;
}

I'd like to try this on my PW6. Would it work on that?

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Waylander

I'd like to try this on my PW6. Would it work on that?

Should do, but a -1.6% or something might suit all Kindles better?

Any kindle that supports css.

[Waylander]

Just reporting that @JSWolf's CSS for margins works on my PW6. It's great to have such small margins again, getting more text on the screen.

[zaqxsw]

Kindle PW Gen 11. I installed the new 5.18.5 software.

I borrowed an eBook from my one of my state's digital libraries as I usually do. With "Download & transfer via USB" dead, I proceeded to transfer the eBook from my Kindle to Calibre to process it. I received the pop-up "Cannot convert - this book is locked by DRM".

This is the first time I've seen this message from Calibre. I immediately suspected the software upgrade, but then it is a newer eBook. I've read where some newer .kfx eBooks, even though they are not bought through Amazon, cannot be processed? Or is the new software the culprit?

[rantanplan]

That sounds like piracy, but unnecessary complicated.