This Kindle hack is like getting audiobooks free of charge

Whereas I primarily desire 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 prepare rides, I discover listening to an audiobook typically extra calming than listening to music. So once I realized that Amazon had updated its Kindle software to incorporate a brand new e book listening characteristic, I used to be intrigued.

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

I lately determined to attempt 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 fully free. For those who’re additionally eager about giving Assistive Reader a attempt, here is what you may have to do to get it in your Kindle, and easy methods to use it.

Find out how to use Assistive Reader in your Kindle

You may have to replace your Kindle for it to look

Earlier than you should use Assistive Reader, you may want to ensure 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 have to go to Settings > System 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), then you definitely’re all set. If it exhibits you are on an older model, you may have to replace your Kindle. If it does not mechanically replace, and your Kindle tells you it is on the newest model when it is clearly not, you possibly can manually replace it your self. I needed to manually replace my Kindle to get the replace, as my Kindle merely did not need to replace mechanically. For those who need assistance studying easy methods to manually replace your Kindle, you possibly can take a look at 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. Nonetheless, 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. When you’ve got 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 along 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.

Along with your headphones related and your Kindle updated, you are now able to check out Assistive Reader. This is easy methods to do it step-by-step:

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

2. As soon as your e book is open, faucet close to the highest of the display to convey 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 taking part in Assistive Reader, together with choices to rewind and improve the pace.

For those who do not see an choice to allow Assistive Reader within the e book you’ve got chosen, it is seemingly as a result of it is not supported. To make use of it, a e book should help “Enhanced Typesetting,” based on Amazon. To seek out out which books help Enhanced Typesetting and which do not, you may have to go to the Kindle Retailer, discover your e book, and test if it lists Enhanced Typesetting within the characteristic listing.

Assistive Reader is a helpful accessibility characteristic

It does not sound nearly as good as an audiobook, but it surely’s nonetheless helpful nonetheless

I’ve used the Assistive Reader characteristic on just a few books now, listening with my AirPods Professional, and I truthfully discovered the expertise to be fairly good. I like how one can alter the narration pace — both slowing it down or dashing it up — and the way simple it’s to pause or rewind. Plus, having the ability to observe together with the highlighted textual content because it’s learn aloud may be very useful. For many 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 durations, 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’d like your Kindle e book learn aloud, it is a easy method to take action — if you happen to do not thoughts the generic AI voice.