Kindle - do I really need to "update"?

moneyistooshorttomention

I've had one of those blanket emails. It states its from Amazon and is to effect:

- Kindle Keyboard (3rd Generation) requires an important software update to continue downloading e-books and using Kindle services. This applies to kindle e-readers released prior to 2014.

- This is followed by list of steps of:
- plug in kindle to charge during update
- connect to Wi-Fi
etc

QUERY 1
I draw the first blank at "connect to Wi-Fi". I don't have Wi-Fi. My computer is a desktop model run off wires. So are they calling the 3G connection the Kindle has "Wi-Fi" - though I don't think of it as being that (ie regard it as equivalent to just switching on my mobile phone and I don't regard that as being Wi-Fi iyswim).

QUERY 2
Is this email for real? That being - its really from Amazon and I really do have to take action just to keep on using my Kindle as per normal?

****************

Basically - I wonder if its one those fake emails and trying to do what they suggest would trash my Kindle.

kwikbreaks

There was a recent minor firmware upgrade for my paperwhite and I got an email about it so the email is almost certainly real.

Maybe it won't download the update over 3G. If you check the Amazon site for your precise model you should be able to download and install over USB. Alternately take it with you to somewhere with free WiFi.

If you have an ISP supplied router the odds are it will support WiFi anyway.

moneyistooshorttomention

That sounds like a thought - ie taking it to somewhere with Wi-Fi.

Downloading and installing over USB sounds like "Huh? What?" territory to someone who knows as little as I do about technical matters.:rotfl:

Right - I feel a date with a coffeebar or the local library coming on - and just follow instructions whilst there (presume I need to get their password from them?). I've never done anything by Wi Fi anywhere..:cool:

mr_fishbulb

I got the email about my paperwhite.

I tried what they suggested by turning the wifi on, syncing it and leaving it overnight. It hadn't picked up the updated.

However you can manually download it from selecting your model here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200529680

Kindle Keyboard 3rd Gen is here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_navbox_top_kindlelgi?nodeId=200529700

Instructions on how to download and update it are here - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201177360

mac.d

How do you get books on your Kindle if a) you don't have wi-fi, and b) downloading and transferring via USB sounds difficult?

It's not your computer that needs to be wireless, you presumably have a router connected to your PC for your internet connection. Most routers have wired and wireless connection, your computer is probably connected by wires but you can connect other devices like a smartphone or your Kindle via it's wi-fi. There's usually a wireless key on the back/bottom of your router that you need to enter into the wi-fi settings on your Kindle to allow it to connect (once you've switched the wi-fi on in your Kindle). You'd need to do this to connect via wi-fi even if you go to a cafe, library, McDonald's etc.

The email from Amazon is genuine, for whatever reason they are updating something that means to get ebooks delivered wirelessly to your Kindle in future, you'll need this update.

It's not that difficult to do manually, have a look at the Kindle update pages on Amazon:

Transfer & Install Software Updates Manually

Kindle Keyboard Software Updates

Edit: mr_fishbulb got in there before me :-)
Although as you have just discovered, when these OTA updates are being pushed out for everyone, you don't always pick them up straight away, so the manual update is probably worth trying.

Oblivion

The update notifications are definitely genuine. I always find it quicker and easier to update manually.

Simply download the update from the Kindle website making sure you select the right model and save it to a directory on your hard drive. Then connect the Kindle to the PC with the supplied USB lead and in Windows explorer copy the .bin file you have just downloaded and paste it directly on the Kindle symbol (not in any of its directories).

Safely disconnect the Kindle and remove the lead. Now on the Kindle go into the menus and find the entry for updating, select that and go and make a cup of coffee while it does its thing.

mac.d

Another handy page to check out if you actually need the update or not:

Critical Software Update for Kindle E-Readers

If you go into the settings page and look at device info, you might find your Kindle already has the latest software update and you don't need to do anything.

kwikbreaks

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Right - I feel a date with a coffeebar or the local library coming on - and just follow instructions whilst there (presume I need to get their password from them?). I've never done anything by Wi Fi anywhere..:cool:

On reflection I gave bad advice on that as iirc my own update took a while to appear after turning the wifi on. Best bet is the USB approach and others have kindly sought out the links for you.