Kindle e-reader users have some new software capabilities to play with, thanks to a new update Amazon released today. The update brings a lot of good news for kids and families, with support for several new features that make the Kindle, Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Voyage more appealing.
First and foremost, families can now access content on Kindle e-readers using Kindle FreeTime Unlimited, starting at $2.99 a month per child for Amazon Prime subscribers. That service, first introduced on Kindle Fire tablets, offers unlimited access to a curated library of books for kids of all ages. Parents will be able to give their kids free reign in a selection that includes the Harry Potter series, and “The Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell.
The update also brings support for Family Library, which allows family members to share their books with a partner or spouse and manage the content that’s viewed by up to four child accounts. It’s a way for people to avoid duplicating purchases, and manage their kids’ reading habits.
There’s also a new Word Wise feature that automatically provides short definitions of longer words in the space between lines of text. It’s designed for English language learners and kids who are expanding their vocabulary, who can get the most out of reading a quick definition so that they can move on.
In addition to those major features, the update includes a handful of others, like one that allows users to update their Goodreads status as they’re reading. Amazon has also upgraded the search and X-Ray features on the Kindle to provide more data.
The update will be delivered over the air “in the coming weeks” to the new 7th generation Kindle, 2nd generation Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Voyage. Users interested in downloading and installing it early can do so here.
