Daily Archives: March 20, 2016

Yes, Virginia, you really have to update your Kindle. Snopes says so

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snopes_kindle_updateI have been writing quite a bit here on the Kindle critical update situation. I’ve noticed that I am still having a lot of hits on the blog looking for info about the need for updates for the older Kindles. What is interesting is the number of hits trying to verify whether this information is true or if it is some kind of spam or a scam.

I am seeing search terms like:

  • What’s this about updating pre-2012 Kindles?
  • I have received a email about a software update for my Kindle
  • Amazon now demanding that you update your Kindle
  • Kindle update by March

And so on….

It seems that so many people have questioned whether or not this was a hoax, Snopes.com has finally weighed in on the topic. Snopes is pretty much the go-to destination on the web for debunking rumors. The article, Amazon Kindle Owners Face Mandatory Update, was published yesterday and verifies that yes, these emails and this update is indeed legit.

In case you are not clear as to which Kindles need updating, the article notes:

This update is not required for every model of Kindle, but only those from 2012 and older. Customers who act before the deadline will face a relatively easy task: Kindle models from 2010 to 2012 can be updated via Wi-Fi, and models from 2007 through 2009 can be updated via the devices’ wireless connections. However, Kindle users who miss the deadline will have to update their e-readers manually, typically by downloading the software update to PC or other devices and connecting their Kindles to those devices with a USB cable.

If you have been sitting on the fence about this, the clock is winding down. In order to update over the air via wi-fi, you must update by March 22nd in order for your device to be able to connect to Amazon’s servers and your library. After that date, you will have to connect to your computer using USB and install the update manually.

Perhaps after all the updates are done, it might be nice to come back and revisit this topic and try to figure out why so many people thought that this wasn’t real. Is it being constantly deluged with emails from Nigerian princes and online pharmacies? It makes you wonder….

Screenshot by Glinda Harrison/The eBook Evangelist

Daily Links and Deals: Inside the Starburst-sized box that could save the Internet

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daily_links_1Daily Links for Sunday, March 20, 2016:

Okay Google, now write all my emails  (The Next Web) Self-answering emails sounds wonderful! Wouldn’t you love for Google to answer all your emails?

Downloading MP3s from Spotify is easy but  feels dated (Torrent Freak) A command line prompt? Okay, sure….

Inside the Starburst-sized box that could save the Internet (Techcrunch) Randome numbers and quantum computers – this could be a total complete game changer.

Farewell, Pagination (Slate) It is about time. Pagination on web pages? That is so yesterday….

Algorithmic feeds force us to compete (Techcrunch) Recent changes to Instagram and Twitter may have unintended consequences.

Japan plans to open national manga museum (Chicago Tribune) A museum for manga and anime? What a great idea!

Deals of the Day:

Amazon’s Kindle Daily Deals includes After I’m Gone by Laura Lippman and Jodi Lynn Anderson’s Tiger Lily, a retelling of the Peter Pan story. Both books are $1.99.

In Today’s Deals, Amazon has some interesting Lego sets and tons of toys today. Most of my online friends collect, LOL! And yes, those Kindle Fire 8.9 HDXs are still reduced.

The Barnes and Noble Nook Daily Find is Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt for $1.99. The Romance Daily Find is Finn (Blue-Collar Billionaires #2) by M. Malone for $99 cents.

Kobo’s Daily Deal is My Kind of Wonderful Cedar Ridge (Book #2) by Jill Shalvis.

iTunes’ Weekly Bestsellers Under $4 includes The Names by Don DeLillio for $1.99.

(A note on Daily Deals: All prices current at the time of posting and subject to change. Most items marked Daily Deals are good for only the day posted.

Many large promotions have discount pricing that is set by the publisher. This usually means that titles can be found at a discount price across most platforms (with iTunes sometimes being the exception). If you have a favorite retailer you like to patronize, check the title on that website. There is a good chance that they will be matching the sale price.)

Daily Links are interesting links I discover as I go about my online day. The frequency and number of links posted depend upon the daily news. I also post other, different links of interest on Twitter and on the Google Plus eBook Evangelist Page.