Apple Books vs Kindle

2024. Amazon removed Kindle Flashcards



Amazon has begun sending out emails notifying customers about their plan to discontinue the Flashcards feature on Kindles. The Flashcards feature allows you to review words that you’ve looked up in the dictionary and mark them as mastered. However, the Vocabulary Builder feature will remain, so you can still review looked up words, just not using flashcards. Amazon already started removing the Flashcards feature from Kindle apps and they intend to do away with Flashcards entirely in November of 2024. Users can request the flashcards associated with their account from this page at Amazon and continue using them on their own devices, but all flashcards will be deleted from Amazon’s servers later this year, so you need to download them soon.


2024. Kindle allows to read books on Peloton bikes



Amazon has partnered with Peloton to allow users read books while exercising on home-bikes and treadmills. To access the Kindle library you need to log into Amazon account directly on the bike screen and navigate to the Entertainment tab at the bottom. The integration provides a rather weird reading experience. You can turn pages with a tap, adjust font size, quickly navigate between chapters create bookmarks to continue reading from where you left off and turn on full-screen display. This new Kindle feature is currently available exclusively in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom.


2023. Kindle Scribe annotations are now viewable on Kindle app



Annotations made within ebooks using Kindle Scribe can now be accessed through the Kindle app on iOS devices. Although support for viewing Notebooks from Kindle Scribe on the iOS app was introduced earlier, the capability to view in-book annotations has been added recently. This enhancement allows users to conveniently review handwritten notes and highlights in their Kindle books using a phone or tablet, even without their Kindle Scribe. Notably, the note syncing feature will also be extended to the Kindle app for Android, but this update is anticipated to roll out in "early 2024."


2023. Kindle personal documents will be delivered in KFX Format



Amazon is now in the process of converting user-uploaded Kindle personal documents into the newer KFX format when they are downloaded on Kindle apps and Kindle e-readers. Until recently, only the Kindle Scribe supported personal documents in the KFX format. However, Amazon has now begun extending this support to other devices and applications, including the Kindle for Android and Kindle for iOS apps. Furthermore, Kindle e-readers that are compatible with the KFX format, such as the Kindle Paperwhite 3 and newer models, are now receiving personal documents in the KFX format as well. Previously, Amazon used to send older formats like AZW3 and MOBI to Kindle devices and apps when users sent personal documents through email or used the Send to Kindle webpage or app. The introduction of the ability to download personal documents in KFX format brings added support for improved typesetting and includes several extra features such as multi-page view and alignment settings. Essentially, personal documents and e-books obtained from sources other than Amazon and added to your Kindle library are now being treated more similarly to official Kindle e-books.


2023. Amazon released new Kindle app for Mac



Amazon has unveiled a fresh Kindle reading app for Mac users, while rebranding the previous version as "Kindle Classic." It boasts a contemporary aesthetic that mirrors the Kindle app found on iOS devices and introduces an array of novel features, including infinite scrolling, a reading ruler, expanded font options, a full-screen viewing mode, a variety of new themes, page-turn animations, X-Ray integration and numerous other enhancements. Kindle for Mac adopts the same design as the highly popular Kindle app on iOS. Upon launching the app, users are greeted with their personal library, showcasing vibrant and inviting cover art for all the e-books they own, as well as any downloaded samples. Users have the flexibility to organize their library using grid or list views, create collections and apply filters to sort by read/unread status, documents, or Newsstand materials. It's worth noting that, as of now, the Kindle app on Mac does not support audiobooks or provide an audiobook player.


2023. Apple Books is bringing back page turn animation on iOS



Apple is reintroducing page turn animation in the Books app with the latest iOS 16.4 beta for iPhone and iPad. When the update rolls out, users will be able to enjoy the classic page turn CURL animation, allowing them to swipe and gesture to peek at the next page or simply turn it as they would with a physical book. Currently, Apple Books only features the swipe animation, which results in an abrupt page turn that feels somewhat like swiping between slides. This is the default in iOS 16.4; however, you can manually set the page turns to one of four different options: Curl, Side, Infinite Scrolling and None. I know many users who stopped using the Apple Books app when iOS 15 removed the animations and switched to alternative apps that have always included them, such as Kindle.


2023. Kindle for PC update is required to download newer eBooks



Amazon is now requiring Kindle for PC and Mac users to install an update in order to download and read any new Kindle ebooks released as of January 3rd, 2023. The reason the Kindle for PC and Mac apps need to be updated is because newer ebooks can now only be downloaded in Amazon’s KFX format, rather than the older Kindle formats. This isn’t encouraging news for ebook buyers and some see it as just another way for Amazon to exert control over content purchased from them. Changing formats and tightening DRM measures is likely to become standard practice in the ebook industry moving forward. Twenty years from now, how will ebooks be handled in these regards? With digital media, things are always evolving. Just because you can download your purchased ebooks today doesn’t mean you’ll be able to do so in ten or twenty years.


2023. Apple Books launches catalog of AI-narrated audiobooks



Apple Books has introduced a collection of books narrated by artificial intelligence, a move that could signal the start of a decline for human narrators. This strategy represents an effort to disrupt the profitable and rapidly growing audiobook market. However, it also brings the likelihood of increased scrutiny regarding accusations of Apple's anti-competitive conduct. Within Apple's Books app, a search for "AI narration" unveils a selection of works featured in this initiative. These works are described as having been "narrated by a digital voice based on a human narrator." Although there could be potential backlash from professional voice actors, authors themselves are increasingly being requested to personally narrate their own books. For writers, there exists a financial incentive in terms of upfront payments and broader accessibility of their creations.


2022. Send to Kindle app for PC and Mac now supports EPUB



Amazon has finally refreshed its Send to Kindle apps for Windows and Mac computers to include support for sending EPUB files to Kindle e-readers and Kindle reading apps. They don’t actually transmit the EPUB file directly to Kindles; instead, it is converted to Kindle format during the process and only DRM-free EPUBs are supported, of course. Amazon introduced support for emailing EPUBs in April and their iOS and Android Kindle apps have supported sending EPUBs since August. Now, the PC and Mac apps also support sending EPUBs.


2022. Amazon's Send to Kindle for EPUB is now live



Amazon announced a few months ago that Send to Kindle will now support EPUB files. The service is now operational and you can use the Send to Kindle apps for PC or Mac, the Chrome Extension, Kindle for Android and email. This marks the first time Amazon has supported the EPUB format for delivery to your Kindle account. However, when using the Send to Kindle service, the EPUB files are converted to the AZW3 format before being sent to your device. This ensures that your book will have proper typography and allow access to features like X-Ray, dictionaries and Wordwise.


2022. Kindle Store is no longer available on older Kindles



The Kindle store is no longer accessible on older Kindles, including the Kindle DX, Kindle 2, Kindle 3 (also known as Kindle Keyboard), Kindle 4 and Kindle 5. Essentially, if your Kindle lacks a touchscreen, it will no longer be able to access the Kindle store. This change occurred last year for some models like the first-generation Kindle when 3G towers were decommissioned. Now, the store will also be disabled on older non-touchscreen WiFi models, such as the once-popular Kindle 3. While you can no longer shop directly from these Kindles, you can still send and read eBooks on them as before. It’s disappointing to see older devices lose functionality, but given that the 5th generation Kindle is now ten years old, it's not unexpected that Amazon has decided not to maintain a non-touchscreen store for these decade-old devices.


2022. Apple Books is getting a bunch of new features in iOS 16



In iOS 16, which will be released this Fall, the reading app Apple Books will introduce new features that let you tailor the reading experience to your preferences. You'll have the option to select reading themes for various settings and moods, or modify the font, spacing, text size and other preferences. The audiobook player will be revamped with updated controls and a mini player that allows you to continue listening while browsing the store. You can also purchase books directly from the player while previewing them. The updated Apple Books experience will be available for both iPad and iPhone. In iOS 15, a toolbar at the top of the app offered access to the chapter index, font settings, search tools and bookmarks, but in iOS 16, these features have been relocated to the bottom of the app.


2022. You can no longer buy Kindle Books on Android



Amazon has disabled the option to purchase ebooks in the Kindle app for Android. When attempting to buy digital books, a new screen appears, informing customers that in order to comply with Google's policy changes, ebook purchases are no longer supported. This is due to Google's new requirement that all apps use their own billing system and take a 30% commission on each transaction. Given that Amazon is the largest ebook retailer globally, the commission paid to Google would be substantial. Amazon is the latest company to halt digital transactions on Android; in recent weeks, Audible and Barnes & Noble have stopped selling audiobooks and ebooks in their apps.


2022. Amazon adds EPUB and drops MOBI support on Send to Kindle apps



Last week, Amazon permitted Kindle users to send ePub files to Kindles via email. While it’s positive to see Amazon finally adding support for DRM-free ePub files to the Kindle Personal Documents Service, they also announced they will be discontinuing support for the older MOBI format. Books in MOBI format lack some of the newer features, such as custom fonts and font boldness control. However, one advantage of sideloaded MOBI books is that book covers were displayed, whereas other sideloaded formats only show a generic cover. To clarify, they aren’t eliminating support for the MOBI format on Kindles. You will still be able to read MOBI files that you’ve added to your Kindle, but you will no longer be able to wirelessly send MOBI files to Kindles using Amazon Kindle Personal Documents Service.


2021. Kindle for PC discontinues support for Windows 7



Amazon has announced that it will be discontinuing support for Windows 7 on its Kindle PC app. If you currently have Kindle for PC installed on Windows 7, the software will no longer receive updates. It is only a matter of time before the platform is completely shut down and you won’t be able to purchase or read eBooks. Kindle for PC is officially supported on Windows 10, 8.1 and 8. It is expected that the company will also cease support for Windows 8 sometime next year. The reason for dropping support for Windows 7 is largely due to Windows 11 and the fact that users will have access to the more feature-rich main Kindle app for Android, which offers more capabilities than Kindle for PC or even the Kindle Cloud Reader. Most users will likely use the Kindle app on their Windows 11 computer, tablet, or device.


2021. Amazon will no longer be providing free access to Kindle magazines



Amazon will no longer offer complimentary access to Kindle magazines for subscribers of print editions unless the subscription is purchased through Amazon. This alteration does not affect the terms of your subscription with the publisher. If you wish to keep receiving the Kindle version of these titles, you can subscribe through Kindle Newsstand. Any copies of this magazine already on your Kindle device will remain unchanged.


2020. Kindle makes it easier to borrow ebooks from Prime Reading



Kindle readers now permit borrowing ebooks from Kindle Unlimited, Prime Reading and the public library directly from your home screen. This feature is part of the 5.13.3 firmware update released today and is compatible with most devices going back to the Kindle Voyage. To view recommendations for popular titles from Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading, you need to have Home Screen View activated. You can toggle this feature on or off in the settings menu. Additionally, Amazon has relocated the Kindle user guide from your library shelf to the help menu, which will help free up some space. The update also includes several performance improvements, bug fixes and other general enhancements.


2020. Kindle for Android now allows permanently delete ebooks



Amazon has introduced the capability to delete Kindle books directly from your Android smartphone and tablet. This feature lets you completely remove ebooks you no longer wish to keep on your device, or samples you downloaded years ago. Simply visit your library, long press on the cover art and you will receive a confirmation prompt to remove it or not. The update also enables you to filter your books by Family Library titles and sync your reading across devices in both Page Flip View and Continuous Scrolling.


2020. Amazon discontinues Kindle Owners Lending Library



Amazon has just phased out the Lending Library and is now directing users to Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading instead. Amazon introduced the Kindle Lending Library in 2011. This was a service where Prime members could borrow one free book each month. Once a book was borrowed, it could be re-downloaded for free at any time in the future. Books included in the free lending library had a “Prime” logo next to them and a “Borrow for free” button below the traditional “Buy” button. There was no expiration date for the books and it was very popular. In 2016, Amazon launched Prime Reading, which effectively replaced the Kindle Lending Library and Amazon stopped promoting it on their website or through press releases.


2020. Amazon lowers Kindle price to compete against Kobo Nia



The Kobo Nia is set to be released in a few days and Amazon is pulling out all the stops to persuade you to purchase the entry-level Kindle. They have recently reduced its price by $20, making it available for $69.99 USD. The Kobo Nia will be priced at $99 USD. The entry-level Kindle e-reader features a 6-inch E Ink Carta display with a resolution of 800×600 and 167 PPI. This is the first Kindle with a front-light display, which allows you to adjust the brightness using a slider. It has 4 white LED lights at the bottom of the bezel that cast light upwards, preventing glare in your eyes. The Kobo Nia boasts a 6-inch E INK Carta HD capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1024×758 and 212 PPI and includes 5 white LED lights.