Kindle Ereader vs PocketBook InkPad

2024. Kindle update improves settings adjustment



Amazon has rolled out firmware update 5.16.7 for its modern Kindle e-readers, encompassing models such as the latest Paperwhite, Scribe, and base Kindle. This update primarily focuses on maintenance rather than introducing new features or functionalities, with improvements aimed at performance, bug fixes, and general enhancements listed in the change log. Notably, the previous update brought a slew of new features to the Kindle, including revamped settings for easier navigation and adjustments, the addition of a "Date and time" setting under "Device options" for manual or automatic time setting, and a dedicated folder for storing screenshots. It is likely that the 5.16.7 update addresses lingering bugs from the previous release, with some users reporting extended battery life as a result.


2023. Amazon improves internet browser on Kindle e-readers



Amazon quietly introduced an improved internet browser for 10th and 11th-generation Kindle e-readers as part of the new 5.16.4 update. Although Amazon didn't officially announce the enhanced browser functionality, they did mention improvements made to Goodreads for better performance on E INK screens. Good e-Reader conducted various tests since Amazon didn't disclose specific details about the browser changes. Notably, the updated browser now loads websites faster, enhances text readability, and allows users to interact with cookie-acceptance popups. Layouts and CSS issues on websites like Wikipedia have been resolved, and users can now access email services like Google Mail. Amazon has also added new bookmarks for social media networks, including X.


2023. Send to Kindle is losing MOBI support



Amazon has initiated the distribution of emails to their customers, issuing a "Final Reminder" regarding the discontinuation of MOBI file format support (.AZW, .MOBI, .PRC) for their Send to Kindle service, which will take effect later this year. Initially, Amazon announced that they would cease MOBI format support in "late 2022," but this deadline was later revised to "early 2023." Despite these initial estimates, Amazon continued to support MOBI formats well into September 2023. According to the updated schedule, Amazon intends to commence the process of "phasing out support" for sending MOBI files to Kindles and Kindle apps via Send to Kindle on November 1st, 2023.


2023. Kindle e-readers get List view option for Collections



The latest firmware update Kindle introduces a new feature within the Collections view – List mode. Previously, the Library section provided options for Grid view and List view, while Collections only supported Grid view for reasons known to Amazon. However, this recent update now offers the List view option for Collections as well. This addition allows users to organize their content according to their preferences. While some may not find this change significant, many users will appreciate the ability to display their e-books in list format within their collections. Interestingly, despite both the Kindle and the Kindle Scribe receiving the update simultaneously, the List view option for Collections remains unavailable on the Kindle Scribe. There is a possibility that Amazon has distinct plans for the Scribe, and it is hopeful that the List view feature for Collections will eventually be introduced to the Scribe along with other Scribe-specific enhancements in the future.


2023. Pocketbook unveiled its first e-note - Pocketbook InkPad X Pro



Pocketbook has introduced its first e-note, the Pocketbook InkPad X Pro, specifically crafted for digital note-taking. This innovative product is tailored for note-taking, freehand drawing, and PDF file editing due to its incorporation of a WACOM screen. The package includes a novel jet-black stylus with an eraser, boasting an impressive 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Nevertheless, the device is also compatible with third-party styluses. The highlight of the device is its 10.3-inch E INK Mobius display, which contributes to its lightweight design. Boasting a resolution of 1404×1872 pixels at 227 PPI, the screen is also capacitive, enabling users to employ finger gestures like pinch-to-zoom, tapping, and page-turning swipes. Convenient manual page-turn buttons, a home button, and settings button are situated at the device's bottom. Notably, this marks the company's first foray into the Android product realm, as all their previous offerings have been based on Linux. Anticipated to be released in late September, the InkPad X Pro will be priced at $420.00.


2023. Dark Mode is now available on new Pocketbook e-readers



Dark mode is now an option on the Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook InkPad 4, and Pocketbook InkPad Color 2. This addition comes with the latest 6.8 firmware update that is accessible today. Along with dark mode, the update includes various other new features and improvements such as customizable control panel settings, additional filter options in the Notes app, a text suggestions feature, and more. In the near future, these enhancements will be made available for other Pocketbook models as well. Utilizing dark mode on your PocketBook device can enhance your reading experience in low-light conditions and during nighttime. This mode adjusts the display settings, showing white text on a dark background, which reduces contrast with the surrounding darkness and minimizes eye strain. Additionally, when reading in dark mode, you have the option to invert book illustrations if desired.


2023. Pocketbook Inkpad 4 gets 7.8-inch screen


Pocketbook announced the release of a new ereader called the Pocketbook Inkpad 4. It has a 7.8-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen and a frontlight with temperature control. It has 32GB of storage space, built-in speakers for audiobooks and text-to-speech, and it’s waterproof with an IPX8 rating. Other specs for the PocketBook InkPad 4 include a USB-C port, a rotation sensor, a dual-core processor, it has WiFi and Bluetooth, and it has a 2000mAh battery. The overall design of the PocketBook InkPad 4 looks quite nice, though, with similar characteristics to the design of the PocketBook Era, which is actually really nice all except for the horribly washed-out screen. The newer E Ink Carta 1200 screens have better contrast, but it doesn’t matter when they add a cloudy flush front layer over the top of it.


2023. Pocketbook 6.7 firmware update adds audio pronunciation



Pocketbook has recently launched a firmware update for the Inkpad 3, Inkpad Color, and Touch HD 3, bringing along a range of significant new features. Notably, users can now initiate audio pronunciation within the dictionary, enhancing the language learning experience. Additionally, translations can be saved directly to the device and exported for future reference. The update also introduces improved page borders for CBR, CBZ, and PDF documents, enhancing the visual presentation. Furthermore, the new firmware includes enhancements such as an expanded pressure area for more convenient navigation through footnotes in books, more precise page margins in scrollable PDF books, and improved algorithms for sorting the note list.


2022. New basic Kindle offers premium Paperwhite features for under $100



Amazon has introduced a new 6-inch Kindle that is hailed as its "lightest and most compact" e-reader yet. Although it joins Amazon's regular Kindle lineup, its specifications align more closely with the $139.99 Paperwhite model. It incorporates several features from the premium lineup, including a high-resolution display of 300ppi for sharp text and graphics, a dark mode, and USB-C charging. Notable improvements include a battery life lasting up to six weeks per charge, 16GB of storage (twice the capacity of its 2019 predecessor), and the return of the adjustable front light. Impressively, this new Kindle is priced at just $99.99, a mere $10 increase from the previous generation, making it an enticing option for those seeking an upgrade from older models that lost the ability to browse, borrow, or purchase books directly from the Kindle Store last month.


2021. Kindle update brings new navigation options



Amazon has rolled out a new software update, version 5.14.1, for Kindle ereaders, introducing further modifications to the navigation system while reading ebooks. This update follows the previous 5.13.7 version that brought significant changes to the user interface but also resulted in the removal of the back button, causing some issues. To address this, Amazon has introduced a new feature: a go back box that now appears at the bottom of the screen whenever navigating to a different section of a book. This addition aims to improve the user experience and alleviate the problems caused by the previous update.


2021. Kindle Special Offers no longer show ads on the home screen



The Special Offers program has been implemented on various Kindle models, offering a discounted price of around $25 to $30 in exchange for displaying advertisements on the lock screen and home screen. However, Amazon has recently released the 5.13.7 firmware update, which introduced significant changes to the home screen. One notable improvement is the complete removal of ads from the home screen, leaving them only visible when the Kindle is in sleep mode. The new home screen design presents the current book being read along with the reading progress. It also showcases cover art images of a few other books and provides text-based information. Additionally, the recommended reads section offers suggestions based on previously purchased books. The user interface now lacks sufficient space to accommodate advertisements, leading to their omission from the home screen.


2021. New PocketBook InkPad Lite 970 has cheap 9.7-inch E Ink Screen



PocketBook has introduced the PocketBook InkPad Lite, a new budget ereader equipped with a 9.7-inch E Ink Carta screen. Set to be released in autumn 2021, the device is expected to be priced at $299, making it the most affordable large-screen ereader on the market by approximately $50. However, the PocketBook InkPad Lite is raising eyebrows due to its peculiar screen choice. PocketBook has opted for the cheapest screen available, featuring a resolution of 1200 x 825, which is the same resolution used by 9.7-inch E Ink screens over a decade ago. This results in a pixel density of only 150 ppi. In comparison, the Likebook P10 offers a superior screen with 200 ppi and is only slightly more expensive. Furthermore, the Likebook P10 boasts an upgraded quad-core CPU with 2GB of RAM and runs on a more versatile Android operating system.


2021. Kindle 3G internet will no longer work since 2022



In 2017, Amazon introduced the original Kindle, which offered 3G internet access. This feature allowed Kindle users to connect to the nearest cellphone tower providing 3G data, enabling them to access the bookstore and Wikipedia. However, starting from next year, this capability will become obsolete. Network telecommunication companies worldwide are beginning to shut down their 3G networks and repurpose the frequencies for 4G/LTE and 5G technologies.


2021. Kindle can now display book covers on the lock screen



Amazon has released a firmware update enabling Paperwhite, Oasis, and the entry-level Kindle to showcase ebook cover art on the lock screen while the e-reader is in sleep mode. This highly requested feature has been sought after for over a decade and has even prompted Kindle users to resort to jailbreaking their devices. The update displays the cover of the ebook you are presently reading, as reported early on. It supports both Amazon-purchased content and sideloaded ebooks, providing a versatile experience for users.


2020. Pocketbook Inkpad 3 gets a brand new UI



Pocketbook has recently released a significant update for its popular model, the InkPad 3. The update introduces an enhanced UI design across all applications, including redesigned notifications, control panel, and status bar. Firmware 6.1 brings a reimagined and simplified authorization system, enabling users to log into various services such as PocketBook Cloud, PocketBook Store, Send-to-PocketBook, and ReadRate using a single account. Additionally, users now have the convenience of logging into their personal accounts via the PocketBook app on their smartphones by scanning a QR code. The update also introduces support for new book formats, CBR and CBZ, allowing users to read comics on the device. Furthermore, the new Notes application enables users to view, edit, and add comments to their notes, as well as transfer them to other devices. All records are now consolidated in a single location, streamlining the search process.


2018. Pocketbook e-Readers get gesture controls



Pocketbook has introduced a fresh firmware update for its Aqua 2, InkPad 3, and Touch HD e-readers, incorporating gesture controls for adjusting the brightness and color temperature of the front-lit display. While reading an ebook, you can simply swipe your finger up or down the left side of the screen to increase or decrease the light intensity. This functionality works seamlessly in both portrait and landscape modes. The update also brings enhancements such as improved gesture-based page scaling for books in PDF or DjVu formats, enhanced accuracy when selecting words for note-taking purposes, and the ability to enable or disable the position sensor through the settings menu.


2016. Pocketbook Announces the InkPad 2



Pocketbook InkPad 2 is an exciting new e-reader that was just announced today. This innovative device boasts an 8-inch touchscreen display with an impressive resolution of 1,200 x 1,600 pixels. It features a front-lit display for optimal reading conditions and convenient physical page turn buttons. The InkPad 2 is powered by a 1 GHz processor and equipped with 512 MB ​​RAM. While it offers 4 GB of internal memory, you have the flexibility to expand it up to 32 GB using a Micro SD card. One appealing feature of this e-reader is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to enjoy audiobooks and music. The Pocketbook InkPad 2 is expected to be available in the near future, priced at $199 Euros.


2014. Kindle Update for e-readers lets enables sharing books with your family



Amazon has released an update for Kindle e-readers, bringing new e-reading features previously exclusive to the Kindle Voyage to older Kindle models. The update introduces several enhancements, including Family Library, which enables users with linked Amazon accounts to access and read books previously downloaded by family members. Additionally, the Word Wise feature automatically displays definitions for challenging words above them, aiding comprehension. The Enhanced search function now provides results from not only your library but also Goodreads and the Kindle Store. Lastly, the About This Book feature offers valuable information such as author biographies and other titles in the series as you commence reading. The update is compatible with the Paperwhite 2nd generation, Kindle Voyage, and the most recent low-end Kindles.


2014. Amazon unveils $199 Kindle Voyage and new simple Kindle ereader with touchscreen



Amazon has recently unveiled the 7th generation of Kindle, including the premium and highly advanced e-reader called Kindle Voyage, as well as the new and simplified Kindle ereader. The Kindle Voyage boasts several notable features, such as a 20% faster processor, double the storage capacity, and the addition of a touch interface. Priced at $199, whether or not you should purchase it depends on your preference for page turning methods. The Kindle Voyage incorporates two thin lines on either side of the reader's face, allowing for effortless page advancement and reversal with a gentle press. Amazon has even incorporated subtle haptic feedback to provide a tactile confirmation. Alternatively, users can also swipe on the touch screen to navigate through pages. It is worth noting that the Kindle Voyage offers a flat glass, high-resolution screen, as well as a brighter, self-adjusting light to enhance the reading experience.


2014. Pocketbook InkPad with Text-to-Speech announced



Pocketbook, a Ukrainian company with a consistent track record in manufacturing e-readers since 2007, has introduced a new device called InkPad that focuses on providing an expansive reading experience with its impressive eight-inch display. Utilizing E Ink Pearl technology, the device boasts the highest screen resolution available for such e-readers, with an impressive 1600×1200 pixel resolution. This high resolution enables users to adjust font sizes without compromising clarity. Equipped with a powerful 1GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM, the InkPad ensures smooth page-turning and stable performance across various applications. With 4GB of internal memory, expandable up to 32GB, users can amass a substantial library that is easily accessible at their fingertips. Additionally, the device includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for audiobook or music playback. Notably, Pocketbook has integrated Text to Speech functionality in this model, allowing users to have books read aloud to them.