Firmware Update New Kindle software update: 5.18.5

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

On a Kindle, -47px margins i not right up against the bezel. I do think the default margins are too large. I also think the line height is too large as well. I've not tried the new firmware to see if that makes a difference.

Great. You have other options available that are more suited to your preferences. You don't have to waste a minute with Kindle e-readers.

[juco]

One of the more serious issues with the latest firmware version hasn't been adressed here yet: the "Invalid ASIN" error message, resulting in an endless loop. For details, see

https://www.amazonforum.com/s/questi...s-invalid-asin

I encountered the problem myself with my (many) sideloaded books and I can confirm that the workaround (opening books via the three dot menu once) does work for me (Kindle Paperwhite SE, 11. Gen.). It's a shame nevertheless...

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by cellaris

…
All I can say is that it remains the first choice, by far, among e-reader users. And there must be a reason for that, beyond stupidity and masochism.

Because of marketing and Amazon monopolistic KU and Kindle walled garden, and having over 90% of English Language ebook market worldwide.

It's good you are happy with the Kindle, but the choices for display are limited for no good reason. Simple Amazon stupidity.

[cellaris]

Display options aren't everything. PocketBook, the old Tolino, the now defunct Bookeen, and countless other brands on the market offer the classic options (three margins, three line spacing options, and a very limited range of font sizes). Kobo's original software doesn't have many options for customisation either (which is why there are countless patches), and let's not forget that most people use the original software. KOReader has endless customisation options compared to any of them, yet it remains a minority and residual reading programme among e-reader users.

Kindle offers the basics, but with perfect execution. Affordable e-readers with an excellent screen and battery life, and an ecosystem that, as you say, is unrivalled among the competition (one has to seriously wonder what the other brands have done, or rather, what they haven't done, to give Amazon such a privileged position).

It's not that I'm happy with Kindle (I'm also happy with other brands), it's that, beyond my personal preferences, I think Kindle has succeeded in offering what most e-reader users need. And I consider that a success.

[jlinear]

Originally Posted by cellaris

Kobo's original software doesn't have many options for customisation either (which is why there are countless patches), and let's not forget that most people use the original software.

I’m not sure what you are referring to here but I think most Kobo users routinely update their firmware. My Aura One has had far more page customization options than Kindle for years now. Including many more font size, line spacing and margin size options. The egregious lack of decent page formatting options is precisely what drives me to jailbreak my Kindles and install KOReader. Most Kindle users seem willing to put up with whatever Amazon feeds them. Others, not so much.

[Desertway]

Originally Posted by jlinear

I’m not sure what you are referring to here but I think most Kobo users routinely update their firmware. My Aura One has had far more page customization options than Kindle for years now. Including many more font size, line spacing and margin size options. The egregious lack of decent page formatting options is precisely what drives me to jailbreak my Kindles and install KOReader. Most Kindle users seem willing to put up with whatever Amazon feeds them. Others, not so much.

Or, it just so happens that Kindle's limited options work just fine for many of us. I have a Kobo Clara as well as an Oasis. I set up my Clara layout to match the Kindle because that's what makes my eyes happy.

It doesn't work for everyone, but it works for many. It's also true that many Kindle users don't want that many options. I had two older co-workers who were plenty overwhelmed just by setting up their Kindles. And this was awhile ago, before the overall UI became what it is today.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Desertway

Or, it just so happens that Kindle's limited options work just fine for many of us. I have a Kobo Clara as well as an Oasis. I set up my Clara layout to match the Kindle because that's what makes my eyes happy.

It doesn't work for everyone, but it works for many. It's also true that many Kindle users don't want that many options. I had two older co-workers who were plenty overwhelmed just by setting up their Kindles. And this was awhile ago, before the overall UI became what it is today.

Heh. I used only Kindles for a decade and was perfectly content with their options (or lack of them). Then I bought a Kobo, just from curiosity and because there finally was one with the asymmetrical shape + page turn buttons. At first, I wasn't all that impressed, although I did patch my Kobo almost immediately. But I warmed to it gradually, and in a couple of years I started to get bothered by the paucity of customization options on a Kindle (which had never bothered me before). It ended with me selling all my Kindles and using Kobo devices only. Now I don't want to even think of going back to the software Kindles use. It helps that since 2019 Amazon has not released any Kindle device I like hardware-wise, either.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by jlinear

Most Kindle users seem willing to put up with whatever Amazon feeds them. Others, not so much.

I have never understood why people buy e-readers that they are not satisfied with. If you don't like what they offer, don't buy them. There are numerous alternatives. If you don't like what Kindle e-readers offer, don't buy them. It's as simple as not pressing the 'buy' button. But most e-reader users press that button. And they do so voluntarily. I believe that at this point, no one can be fooled by what Kindle offers.

[jlinear]

Originally Posted by cellaris

I have never understood why people buy e-readers that they are not satisfied with.

It can be somewhat difficult to be dissatisfied with an e-reader you haven't yet purchased. I find Kindle hardware quite good indeed. Much better than the reading software they install on it. The differences in functionality between Kindle and KOReader software is rather astounding considering they both run on the same piece of hardware. It only emphasizes how negligent Amazon has been.

[Knightreader]

Originally Posted by cellaris

I have never understood why people buy e-readers that they are not satisfied with.

Because no device fulfills all desires. There is always a compromise between device size, display size, buttons or touchscreen, lighting, file formats, general operation, etc.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by juco

One of the more serious issues with the latest firmware version hasn't been adressed here yet: the "Invalid ASIN" error message, resulting in an endless loop. For details, see

https://www.amazonforum.com/s/questi...s-invalid-asin

I encountered the problem myself with my (many) sideloaded books and I can confirm that the workaround (opening books via the three dot menu once) does work for me (Kindle Paperwhite SE, 11. Gen.). It's a shame nevertheless...

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

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by jlinear

The differences in functionality between Kindle and KOReader software is rather astounding considering they both run on the same piece of hardware. It only emphasizes how negligent Amazon has been.

I use KOReader on my Kobo or PocketBook e-readers. Does that comment apply to these brands as well?

KOReader, as much as you or I may like it, is a minority choice among e-reader users.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by Knightreader

Because no device fulfills all desires. There is always a compromise between device size, display size, buttons or touchscreen, lighting, file formats, general operation, etc.

That's what I said. Customisation options aren't everything. People buy e-readers based on their overall value, and in that assessment, most users opt for Kindle.

[jlinear]

Originally Posted by cellaris

I use KOReader on my Kobo or PocketBook e-readers. Does that comment apply to these brands as well?

KOReader, as much as you or I may like it, is a minority choice among e-reader users.

It does not. I’m not familiar with PocketBook. I do use KOReader on my Aura One because I like other user interface options available such as gestures, QuickMenus, etc. I find the page formatting options provided by Kobo’s standard Nickel firmware perfectly adequate. Kindle would do well to provide something similar. I have already conceded that the majority of Kindle users seem perfectly happy with what Amazon offers. No need to belabor that point.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by cellaris

I use KOReader on my Kobo or PocketBook e-readers. Does that comment apply to these brands as well?

KOReader, as much as you or I may like it, is a minority choice among e-reader users.

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.