Kindle Fire update v6.2.1 no comments
Amazon has released a software update (v6.2.1) for the Kindle Fire that is meant to address some of the more common complaints about Amazon’s tablet:
- Enhanced fluidity and performance.
- improved touchscreen navigation responsiveness .
- User choice of which items are displayed on the carousel.
- Password lock can be applied to the Wi-Fi connection.
The update will be delivered OTA or you can download and install it manually.
After the update, tapping and holding an item on the carousel brings up an option to remove it from the carousel. Well and good, but the next time you use that app, visit a webpage or whatever, it will show up on the carousel again. You have to manually remove each item you don’t want to show up after you use it each time. Obviously this is not going to quite the carousel complaints. Amazon should allow users to specify classes of items that should not be displayed on the carousel. For example, I would choose to not have webpages, music and apps displayed on it.
The carousel does seem much easier to use after the update. It now pauses better at the top item so it is much easier to tap on what you want to open without having to do finger gymnastics.
Another common complaint about the Fire is the power button, which is very easy to inadvertently bump and turn the device turn off when you are in the middle of something. This button makes a very good argument in favor of using sliders instead of push buttons. Or better yet have the buttons inset and level with the surface of the case as the Nook Tablet does. A cover will probably help to shield the power button, but some users might also appreciate a shut down confirmation pop-up when the power button is pressed, though that might present problems if the Fire freezes up and needs to be reset.
