Amazon E-Reader OTA Update Adds Family Library To Kindle Voyage And Paperwhite

Sharing is caring, right folks? With that in mind, Amazon today announced a new over-the-air (OTA) software update for its Kindle, Kindle Voyage, and Kindle Paperwhite (most recent version) devices that will enable sharing Kindle books with an Amazon account of a spouse or partner. Using the new Kindle Library feature, you'll be able to link two devices to easily share books.

The update also includes a new feature called Word Wise. When enabled, short and simple definitions will appear above more difficult words. It's intended to help readers learning English, as well as children learning to read. To see different meanings for the same words, you can tap it to bring up a card with definitions, synonyms, and more. The feature is available on thousands of titles, including The Hunger Games, The Giver, and Wonder, Amazon says.

Kindle Paperwhite

"We can’t wait to hear what customers think about these new software features," said Peter Larsen, Vice President, Amazon Devices. "Word Wise makes it easier for kids learning to read and readers learning English to understand more challenging books more quickly, with short and simple definitions that automatically appear above difficult words. Additionally, Family Library lets family members share books with a spouse or partner, without sharing an Amazon account."

There are a few other features sprinkled in, such as Kindle FreeTime Unlimited (starting at $2.99 per month, kids get unlimited access to hundreds of hand-picked chapter books and early readers, curated for age appropriateness), expanded X-Ray for Books (quickly flip through all images in a book and use the new timeline view to browse the most notable passages), enhanced search, and a few other goodies.

Look for the update to roll out in the coming weeks.