Kindle App Redesign

[DiapDealer]

I haven't downloaded/installed it yet, but the update for the newest version (8.0.0.68) just showed up for my older Nexus 7 (Android 5.1.1).

[Atunah]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I too use both hands I hold it with my right hand like a book and use my left index finger to touch things. However sometimes my thumb will wreck havoc on the screen. It can't be helped there's no space for it. I need a bigger bezel.

Sent from my Nexus 7

Its why I put one of those bumper type cases on my zenfone. It gives me now nice area to grip on to it, without getting into the screen. And it has nice texture on the back too, so not slippery. The extra thickness actually helps me with my hands, more ergonomic than the super thin stuff.

[DiapDealer]

Wow! The new version is a huge improvement on my older Nexus. The Kindle app has been a real dog on that machine for a long time, now. I didn't hold out much hope that it would be able to accommodate the new version very well. What a pleasant surprise.

[barryem]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Okay mod hat off. I'm really excited for this. I'm hoping redesign means it handles large libraries better. My current Kindle app takes 2.22GB of space on my tablet. It's ridiculous.

This made me curious so I checked the storage use on my Galaxy S5 phone and it was 2.43 gig. I also have a pretty large library although I only have 3 books downloaded on the S5. Two of them are very large books and all three have the audiobook downloaded as well because I was experimenting with reading and listening at the same time. I removed one of the books and it's accompanying audiobook and it went down to 2.41 gig. The ebook is 4 meg and the audiobook is 1 gig so it looks like not all the space they were using was reclaimed.

I updated the Kindle app on my Nexus 5 and it was only using 385 meg. When I was using the Nexus 5 I did most of my reading on Moon+ and very little on the Kindle app. I'm going to download those same books to that phone and I'll know more then.

I'm also going to uninstall the Kindle app on my Galaxy phone and re-install it. My guess is that will reclaim the space. But it's late and that'll have to wait a day or so.

I think the reason the Galaxy is using so much data is that I've been using the Kindle app a lot lately on it as well as two books that are right at 1000 pages with their accompanying audiobooks and another 500 page book with it's audiobook also. You might try uninstalling the app to reclaim your space. If I find that works for me I'll post about it but it might be a couple of days.

Barry

[barryem]

Originally Posted by tomsem

My Android device (Lollipop 5.1) is still stuck on Kindle v7.18.0.1. Has anyone else with Lollipop gotten the update?

My Moto E with Android 5.1 has the Kindle update installed.

Barry

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Wow! The new version is a huge improvement on my older Nexus. The Kindle app has been a real dog on that machine for a long time, now. I didn't hold out much hope that it would be able to accommodate the new version very well. What a pleasant surprise.

It's been a very long time since the Kindle app didn't bog down a device. I'd truly had given up hope on it. The old app took five minutes to open and five minutes to open a book when first started. New version starts in about thirty seconds and books ten seconds.

Sent from my XT1528

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by copyrite

Thanks, Blossom... should've tried that before posting.

I'd recommend everyone doing that because this is a major update. Uninstall the old version and install the new. You will need to backup any sideloaded books.

I did a clean install because I've learned from experience with major upgrades it's usually works best to avoid problems.

Sent from my Nexus 7

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by barryem

This made me curious so I checked the storage use on my Galaxy S5 phone and it was 2.43 gig. I also have a pretty large library although I only have 3 books downloaded on the S5. Two of them are very large books and all three have the audiobook downloaded as well because I was experimenting with reading and listening at the same time. I removed one of the books and it's accompanying audiobook and it went down to 2.41 gig. The ebook is 4 meg and the audiobook is 1 gig so it looks like not all the space they were using was reclaimed.

I updated the Kindle app on my Nexus 5 and it was only using 385 meg. When I was using the Nexus 5 I did most of my reading on Moon+ and very little on the Kindle app. I'm going to download those same books to that phone and I'll know more then.

I'm also going to uninstall the Kindle app on my Galaxy phone and re-install it. My guess is that will reclaim the space. But it's late and that'll have to wait a day or so.

I think the reason the Galaxy is using so much data is that I've been using the Kindle app a lot lately on it as well as two books that are right at 1000 pages with their accompanying audiobooks and another 500 page book with it's audiobook also. You might try uninstalling the app to reclaim your space. If I find that works for me I'll post about it but it might be a couple of days.

Barry

Yes there have been issues with Kindle for Android failing to reclaim space properly. Uninstall recommended, at least for major releases.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by barryem

My Moto E with Android 5.1 has the Kindle update installed.

Barry

Good to know - will see if update is ready when I get home.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by Blossom

It's been a very long time since the Kindle app didn't bog down a device. I'd truly had given up hope on it. The old app took five minutes to open and five minutes to open a book when first started. New version starts in about thirty seconds and books ten seconds.

Sent from my XT1528

That was my experience as well - but I did clean install of 7.18 last night and it was much faster than I recall the last time I used the device (this was probably a few months ago). Should be true of 8.x whenever I can install that.

My Moto G is old but is the best device I have for playing with Word Runner - my Fire is too big to hold steady for the several minutes needed to finish a chapter, and that feature has not yet come to iOS/iPhone.

[Blossom]

I'm on a Moto E so a G to me is new. Keep checking apkpure or apkmirror they may get it sooner.

Sent from my XT1528

[tomsem]

Update was waiting for my Moto G. I’m very impressed with performance and new UI. It is pretty seamless going between Android and iOS now.

[patrickt]

I wonder why Kindle takes up 2.2Gb on some phones and 756Mb on my phone? It's a mystery.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I wonder why Kindle takes up 2.2Gb on some phones and 756Mb on my phone? It's a mystery.

The Kindle app for iOS is 116.7MB. What I think is the 2.2GB is also taking into account the books you have as well as the app.

[copyrite]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I'd recommend everyone doing that because this is a major update. Uninstall the old version and install the new. You will need to backup any sideloaded books.

I did a clean install because I've learned from experience with major upgrades it's usually works best to avoid problems.

Sent from my Nexus 7

I think the reason the app is quicker and the size of the app is so big might be related to the library size? Maybe it's caching library information to speed up the process? You'd think there'd be another way to do that, but, hey, I'm not a programmer.