To update or not to update: This is the question

aleritty · 05-25-2016, 10:40 AM

Hello, I have a Kindle PW2 with the 5.4.2.1 firmware (rooted).
I'm using the BackDoorLock hack, but for a long time i just didn't connect my kindle to wifi.

Now, I tried to understand if the many updates are worth or not, are they harmful or good? Here on the forum I read some conflicting opinions, maybe someone can help.

After I resolve this I'll ask for my oldoer ones (still actively using them...).

jhowell · 05-25-2016, 11:25 AM

Some more information about how you use the device would be helpful for giving useful advice.

How many books do you keep on it?
Are they delivered direct from Amazon or do you sideload?
Is the experience of looking through your collection on the device important to you?
Would better typography when reading books be of interest?
Is social media (Goodreads) of interest?
Etc.

Barbara1955 · 05-25-2016, 03:02 PM

Developers Corner would be the best place to ask this question....

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=150

eschwartz · 05-25-2016, 04:40 PM

Katie,

Nah, this isn't about hacking or firmware. The OP just wants to know if it is worth getting a standard Amazon-supplied firmware update.

...

aleritty,

I would leave it alone, unless there is a feature in a newer firmware release that you want.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

And, what jhowell said.

Isamilis · 05-26-2016, 08:40 AM

I think that depends on what tweak or features that you got from jailbroken firmware? Also, balance that with what new features do you like in the new firmware? In my case, I still at 5.6.5 and jailed.

shamanNS · 05-27-2016, 10:34 AM

@aleritty: If I were you I would prepare my Kindle for firmware downgrade via diagnostics by installing and testing (setup SSH access on you PC) Rescue Pack & Coward's rescue pack , before doing any firmware updates. So you can go back to any older firmware you like best in case you don't like new UI or have battery drain issues. Better to have all that ready and not use it, if you decide you like the new UI of fw 5.7.x.

In any case you should definitely be aware of new thing before doing the update. Things like removal of those dots indicating length of books, smaller & thinner fonts on Home screen view of new UI...

HarryT · 05-27-2016, 02:10 PM

I prefer the 5.7.x firmware myself. In particular, I think the way that search results are presented is a lot better.

JaneD · 05-29-2016, 12:37 PM

For me, the legibility issue alone is enough to make me not recommend the update. The disappearing dots just pounds that nail in the coffin.

However, shamanNS's advice seems soundest, to make sure you can go back to a previous version. You really have to test out the update for yourself to decide if it's worth it.

The other thing you could do is go to a Best Buy or Staples and pick up the latest Kindle and look at the new UI.

aleritty · 06-03-2016, 10:41 AM

Sorry for the delay, I've had my laptop in for repair!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhowell

How many books do you keep on it? Do this matter in any way? Around 100... less than 200MB for sure

Are they delivered direct from Amazon or do you sideload? I'll do my sideload mainly, but every now and then I buy from amazon or send a document via whispersync

Is the experience of looking through your collection on the device important to you? what do you mean? I'm not using collections now, mainly because collections aren't so comfortable to use.

Would better typography when reading books be of interest? Of course
Is social media (Goodreads) of interest? Actually not... I discovered Goodreads today

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I would leave it alone, unless there is a feature in a newer firmware release that you want.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Yep, I applied this reason 'till now, but now I lost the list of advantages/disadvantages so I'm asking what's going on about decide.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamanNS

installing and testing (setup SSH access on you PC) Rescue Pack & Coward's rescue pack , before doing any firmware updates. So you can go back to any older firmware you like best in case you don't like new UI or have battery drain issues. Better to have all that ready and not use it, if you decide you like the new UI of fw 5.7.x.

Yep, I'm with you about this, this is because I locked the upgrades in the first time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamanNS

In any case you should definitely be aware of new thing before doing the update. Things like removal of those dots indicating length of books, smaller & thinner fonts on Home screen view of new UI...

Ok, now this is getting intresting... The lenght of book indicator is really useful! And I don't know about the new UI, I was asking about what changes (and what disadvantages) brought the new firmware.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneD

The other thing you could do is go to a Best Buy or Staples and pick up the latest Kindle and look at the new UI.

I'm not from USA... we don't have Kindle reseller in Italy (or maybe not in my city) so I cannot see it with my eyes!

Thank you everyone!

05-25-2016, 10:40 AM	#1
aleritty Member Posts: 18 Karma: 7966 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: Kindle 3 keyboard	To update or not to update: This is the question Hello, I have a Kindle PW2 with the 5.4.2.1 firmware (rooted). I'm using the BackDoorLock hack, but for a long time i just didn't connect my kindle to wifi. Now, I tried to understand if the many updates are worth or not, are they harmful or good? Here on the forum I read some conflicting opinions, maybe someone can help. After I resolve this I'll ask for my oldoer ones (still actively using them...).

05-25-2016, 11:25 AM	#2
jhowell Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,496 Karma: 84420419 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tampa Bay, Florida Device: Kindles	Some more information about how you use the device would be helpful for giving useful advice. How many books do you keep on it? Are they delivered direct from Amazon or do you sideload? Is the experience of looking through your collection on the device important to you? Would better typography when reading books be of interest? Is social media (Goodreads) of interest? Etc. Last edited by jhowell; 05-25-2016 at 11:27 AM.

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05-25-2016, 03:02 PM	#3
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,454 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	Developers Corner would be the best place to ask this question.... https://www.mobileread.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=150

05-25-2016, 04:40 PM	#4
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Katie, Nah, this isn't about hacking or firmware. The OP just wants to know if it is worth getting a standard Amazon-supplied firmware update. ... aleritty, I would leave it alone, unless there is a feature in a newer firmware release that you want. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." And, what jhowell said.

05-26-2016, 08:40 AM	#5
Isamilis Connoisseur Posts: 54 Karma: 865016 Join Date: May 2016 Device: Paperwhite 2015, Oasis, Paperwhite 2016	I think that depends on what tweak or features that you got from jailbroken firmware? Also, balance that with what new features do you like in the new firmware? In my case, I still at 5.6.5 and jailed.

05-27-2016, 10:34 AM	#6
shamanNS Guru Posts: 885 Karma: 10113994 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Serbia Device: Kindle PW5 [bricked], Kindle PW1	@aleritty: If I were you I would prepare my Kindle for firmware downgrade via diagnostics by installing and testing (setup SSH access on you PC) Rescue Pack & Coward's rescue pack , before doing any firmware updates. So you can go back to any older firmware you like best in case you don't like new UI or have battery drain issues. Better to have all that ready and not use it, if you decide you like the new UI of fw 5.7.x. In any case you should definitely be aware of new thing before doing the update. Things like removal of those dots indicating length of books, smaller & thinner fonts on Home screen view of new UI...

05-27-2016, 02:10 PM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I prefer the 5.7.x firmware myself. In particular, I think the way that search results are presented is a lot better.

05-29-2016, 12:37 PM	#8
JaneD Addict Posts: 322 Karma: 1057749 Join Date: May 2010 Location: LA, CA Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2013	For me, the legibility issue alone is enough to make me not recommend the update. The disappearing dots just pounds that nail in the coffin. However, shamanNS's advice seems soundest, to make sure you can go back to a previous version. You really have to test out the update for yourself to decide if it's worth it. The other thing you could do is go to a Best Buy or Staples and pick up the latest Kindle and look at the new UI.