Amazon Introduces New Kindle Feature: Double Tap to Turn Pages

Amazon has rolled out a new software update for select Kindle e-readers, introducing an innovative feature that allows users to turn pages by simply double-tapping on the back or side of the device. This enhancement aims to improve the reading experience by offering an alternative to the traditional methods of page turning.

The update, identified as version 5.18.1, is available for Kindle devices starting from the tenth generation. However, not all devices within this range will support the double-tap feature. Specifically, only the Kindle Colorsoft and the newly released Paperwhite model from 2024 will have this capability, as indicated in the update notes. Other models, including the Kindle Scribe 2024, will receive general performance improvements and bug fixes without the new page-turning option.

This feature is particularly geared towards users who may miss physical buttons for page navigation, especially since Amazon has not released any Kindle devices with physical buttons since the discontinuation of the Kindle Oasis. Previously, users would turn pages by tapping the edge of the screen or swiping across the display. The new double-tap method provides a straightforward way to navigate forward through an e-book, though it does not allow for backward navigation.

For those who own a compatible Kindle device, the double-tap feature may need to be activated after the update. Users can enable it through the settings menu on their devices. This update follows Amazon's recent decision to disable the ability to download e-books directly from the Kindle library management system to a PC, a feature that allowed users to transfer downloaded e-books to their Kindle devices via USB.