This Kindle hack is like getting audiobooks without cost

Whereas I primarily want studying books on my Kindle e-reader, I do not thoughts listening to audiobooks whereas on the go. Particularly throughout commutes or lengthy flights and practice rides, I discover listening to an audiobook generally extra calming than listening to music. So once I realized that Amazon had updated its Kindle software to incorporate a brand new guide listening characteristic, I used to be intrigued.

Listening to audiobooks on Kindle units is not new, because it has been potential by Audible for some time. Nevertheless, Amazon’s newest replace to its Kindle units, model 5.18.5, added a brand new characteristic referred to as Assistive Reader, which might learn your Kindle books out loud to you in case your guide helps it. Moreover, whilst you’re listening, the textual content being learn to you is highlighted in your display, making it simpler to comply with alongside.

I lately determined to strive Kindle’s new Assistive Reader characteristic, and I used to be fairly impressed by it, because it basically turns your Kindle e-books into an audiobook. Plus, it is accessible, easy to make use of, and utterly free. If you happen to’re additionally serious about giving Assistive Reader a strive, this is what you may must do to get it in your Kindle, and the best way to use it.

use Assistive Reader in your Kindle

You would possibly must replace your Kindle for it to look

Earlier than you need to use Assistive Reader, you may want to verify your Kindle e-reader is on the newest replace. The brand new characteristic is a part of software update 5.18.5, which is supported by eleventh and Twelfth-generation Kindles, the Kindle Colorsoft, and the Kindle Scribe.

To test which model your Kindle is working, you may must go to Settings > Machine Choices. From there, faucet on Software program Updates. If the pop-up in your display says you are on model 5.18.5 (or newer), you then’re all set. If it exhibits you are on an older model, you may must replace your Kindle. If it does not robotically replace, and your Kindle tells you it is on the newest model when it is clearly not, you’ll be able to manually replace it your self. I needed to manually replace my Kindle to get the replace, as my Kindle merely did not wish to replace robotically. If you happen to need assistance studying the best way to manually replace your Kindle, you’ll be able to try my other Pocket-lint story about how to do this simply.

When you’re on the newest Kindle replace, you can use the Assistive Reader characteristic. Nevertheless, there may be nonetheless one other caveat. Since Kindle e-readers haven’t got audio system, you may want a Bluetooth audio system to have the ability to use the characteristic. If in case you have any Bluetooth headphones, like Apple’s AirPods, that may do the trick. I used AirPods with my Kindle, and it labored with out challenge. To pair headphones together with your Kindle, head to Settings > Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and toggle on Bluetooth. As soon as you’ve got performed that, choose Bluetooth units just below it. Hit the pairing button in your headphones, they usually’ll pop up in your Kindle’s display to pair.

Together with your headphones related and your Kindle updated, you are now able to check out Assistive Reader. This is the best way to do it step-by-step:

1. Open your Kindle library and decide a title to hearken to.

2. As soon as your guide is open, faucet close to the highest of the display to carry up the studying settings menu.

3. Within the studying settings menu, choose the “Aa” possibility.

4. A brand new menu will seem on the backside of your display. Faucet Extra .

5. If Assistive Reader is supported, you may see an choice to allow it.

6. As soon as you’ve got performed that, faucet out of that menu and open up the studying menu once more.

7. On the backside of your display, you may see an choice to begin enjoying Assistive Reader, together with choices to rewind and improve the pace.

If you happen to do not see an choice to allow Assistive Reader within the guide you’ve got chosen, it is probably as a result of it is not supported. To make use of it, a guide should assist “Enhanced Typesetting,” in line with Amazon. To seek out out which books assist Enhanced Typesetting and which do not, you may must go to the Kindle Retailer, discover your guide, and test if it lists Enhanced Typesetting within the characteristic record.

Assistive Reader is a helpful accessibility characteristic

It does not sound pretty much as good as an audiobook, nevertheless it’s nonetheless useful nonetheless

I’ve used the Assistive Reader characteristic on a number of books now, listening with my AirPods Professional, and I actually discovered the expertise to be fairly good. I like how one can regulate the narration pace — both slowing it down or rushing it up — and the way straightforward it’s to pause or rewind. Plus, having the ability to comply with together with the highlighted textual content because it’s learn aloud could be very useful. For individuals who want an additional hand, Assistive Reader serves as a strong accessibility characteristic.

My largest critique of Assistive Reader is the generic AI voice it makes use of. It isn’t precisely nice to hearken to for lengthy intervals, however I suppose it will get the job performed. I do perceive why Amazon selected an AI voice, although. First, it’s a free accessibility characteristic, and second, it nonetheless encourages you to purchase audiobooks for a extra pure, skilled narration.

General, for a free characteristic added with a software program replace for eleventh and Twelfth-generation Kindles, the Kindle Colorsoft, and the Kindle Scribe, Assistive Reader is great. It is a main step ahead for accessibility, and if you need your Kindle guide learn aloud, it is a easy manner to take action — if you happen to do not thoughts the generic AI voice.