Amazon has announced a 'critical' software for the Kindle which, unless downloaded before the end of today, will render your e-reader essentially unusable.
Customers will need to update the software on their Kindles by today (22 March) or risk losing access to all of Amazon's Kindle services including the book store and being able to update wirelessly over WiFi.
According to Amazon these are the devices that will need the emergency software update:
- Kindle 1st Generation (2007)
- Kindle 2nd Generation (2009)
- Kindle DX 2nd Generation (2009)
- Kindle Keyboard 3rd Generation (2010)
- Kindle 4th Generation (2011)
- Kindle 5th Generation (2012)
- Kindle Touch 4th Generation (2011)
- Kindle Paperwhite 5th Generation (2012)
Amazon's support page hasn't revealed why the update is so essential but it will almost certainly be grounded in security.
This isn't the first major Kindle software update this year, already Amazon pushed out a major update for the e-readers which gave the devices a new Home Screen as well as throwing in some major new social features which will allow readers to share their books on Facebook, Twitter.
Here's how to update your Kindle:
- Plug your Kindle in to charge during the update.
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- From the Home screen of your Kindle, select Menu or tap the Menu icon. Then choose Sync and Check for Items. The update will begin automatically.
- Leave your Kindle connected to both power and Wi-Fi overnight, or until the update is complete.
Now that's all over and done with, sit back, relax and bask in the knowledge that your Kindle is safe.