Few people know this, but there’s a simple way for anyone to suggest new Kindle features. If you would like a Kindle with a 6.8" screen, built-in speakers and audio ability, or an all-bold option for text, you can tell Amazon what you think.
The retailer has a dedicated email address ([email protected]) for all things related to the Kindle hardware and platform, and you can use this feedback channel to ask Amazon for that special hardware or software feature you've been pining for.
To name one example, I would like to see the Kindle gain formatting options which equal those on Kobo ereaders.
I don't buy many ebooks from Kobo, but their ereaders have always earned special consideration for the formatting option. Users can install theit own fonts and dictionaries, and set the margin, line spacing, and justification to suit their preferences. Kindle may get all the buzz in the blogosphere, but Kobo makes the best ereader for the discerning ebook lover, and that is something Amazon may want to emulate.
What are some new Kindle features that you’d like to see in the future?
I know that a solid minority of Kindle owners have been demanding a water-proof model ever since the Aura H2O came out a couple years ago. Sure, there's an after-market mod, but that's not the same thing as an official Kindle model with a warranty.
And of course PDF users have been clamoring for more storage space ever since the second Kindle shipped without a card slot, although more PDFs really aren't all that useful without the larger screen I've been pleading for.
So what would you like to see?
And just as importantly, do you know if Amazon is still paying attention to that email address? (I do hope so, but I have no proof.)
image by cogdogblog
I would like to see a new Basic Kindle like the new Kobo Touch 2.0.
The old one is to big and ugly.
There’s one on the way.
The one on the way – is it still six inch?
We think the new basic Kindle (codenamed Woody) is a 6″ model, yes.
They send what looks like a form letter email reply. I have included Jeff Bezos in my email requests. If you want something you have to ask in the most direct ways that you can…Too often people complain in forums and don’t make direct requests. Hopefully this posting will get a few people to take action.
There’s a petition to add a bold font to the Kindle, and Amazon are ignoring it, even though it would cost them next to nothing to implement. Why would they listen to anything else that consumers say?
>/dev/null
Any details on the petition?
It was started by teleread.
Thanks, Rasputin. No formal petition, but, yes, as publisher of TeleRead, I have urged e-book lovers to contact Amazon about the Kindles’ deplorable lack of the all-text bold option found in Kobo devices. I very much appreciate Nate’s own interest in this and the Kindles’ other typographical shortcomings. Ideally readers of both our publications will be vocal. Thanks to Steve H for following through via e-mail with Jeff Bezos personally.
Why is Amazon so callous toward us and the many other people who would benefit? See http://teleread.com/oasis-paperwhite-bold-comparison/ if you doubt the usefulness of the begged-for feature.
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Although [email protected] personally knows of this mess, so far he doesn’t care. Only if lots of people complain to him via email will he or Amazon budge. So, please, yes, contact the Bezos address as well as the Kindle one, and encourage other people to do the same.
Be very civil. But do let Jeff know he can’t continue to ignore us. Sooner or later even the comatose mainstream media will get around to writing about Amazon’s arrogance on this issue.
The cost of adding the capability would be next to nothing. I’m baffled why Amazon – normally a customer-centric company – doesn’t give a squat even when people pay $290 for an e-reader. Part of the problem may be that many people don’t realize how much the all-bold would improve the Kindles’ readability for them. Granted only a minority of readers would benefit. But it’s a large minority, at least among older people, a prime audience for dedicated e-readers. Individuals of all ages can experience contrast-sensitivity issues, including younger people with learning disabilities, but the elderly are among those most likely to suffer. Jeff is no spring chicken. In a few years, who knows – maybe he’ll experience this problem firsthand, and then perhaps we’ll finally get what we need, if we haven’t already. For now please give Jeff a try. A brief e-mail to [email protected] will take less than a minute.
I guess they could add bold fonts and charge for premium rate, like with buttons. The Kindle range has become very disappointing. No innovation and Amazon sits on the market like a big, fat elephant, and enough consumers suck it up for Amazon to keep doing it.
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I would like faster print-based web page access, in order to access the Internet news sites for browsing.
Would also like a larger screen.
Two (2) features: left justification and vertical scrolling. With these, I’d find the apps (and also the ereaders) usable.
This http://fqdeboer.net/res/photo/weird_sony/DPTS1.jpg whit this screen http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1136125/images/o-LIQUAVISTA-facebook.jpg
Nothing else
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[…] has long maintained an email account where Kindle users could send suggestions and requests (and someone reads the emails, too). Now the retailer is going to hold a town hall […]
I’m trying to learn another language and it would be great if I could use the Kindle to listen to a book whilest reading it. Yes, the Fire works, but the Kindle is so easy to use and read. If it only had MP3 playing added. (Didn’t the original have this feature?)
Update for the Beta Browser strongly recommended.