Amazon has rolled out a new software update for its Kindle devices, bringing voice dictation to the latest Kindle Scribe models and making it easier to add handwritten notes to books and documents.
The 5.20.1 update is available for the third-generation Kindle Scribe and other Kindle devices released after 2024. While the update includes the usual bug fixes and performance improvements, the biggest changes are aimed at making the Scribe more useful for note-taking.
One of the main additions is microphone dictation, allowing Kindle Scribe users to enter text using their voice rather than typing it manually. By tapping the microphone icon on the keyboard, users can dictate text when searching. This also works when adding annotations to books and documents or naming notebooks.
It’s a relatively small change, but one that could make a difference for anyone who regularly uses the Scribe to organise notes or work with documents.
Amazon has also expanded the Scribe’s handwriting features. Users can now add handwritten sticky notes to fixed-layout ebooks and personal documents, giving them another way to annotate content without changing the original page layout.
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The feature can be accessed through the sticky note tool in the writing toolbar or by selecting text and opening the action menu. However, users will need to create a notebook to access the tool from the writing toolbar.
There’s also a potentially interesting addition for Kindle owners beyond the Scribe. Some users have reported that the update includes Bluetooth drivers for the new Kindle Clip page-turner.
That could make the update particularly relevant for readers interested in using the new Bluetooth accessory to turn pages without touching their Kindle. However, it has yet to be confirmed.
Beyond these additions, Amazon says the update includes general performance improvements, bug fixes and other enhancements.
The new features aren’t a major overhaul of the Kindle experience. However, they do give Scribe owners more flexibility when working with notes and documents.
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