Amazon might have just released a bunch of new Kindles but they haven’t forgotten the Kindle 3 (Keyboard). Amazon has released a new firmware update for this model.
Firmware update 3.4 includes:
- Improved Font: We’ve improved the reading font to have more contrast and be more crisp.
- Parental Controls: With the latest software update for Kindle Keyboard, parents can restrict access to the Experimental Web Browser, the Kindle Store, and Archived Items. While the Kindle Store and Archived Items are locked with Parental Controls, you can continue to buy books from a computer and send them to the Kindle wirelessly for a child to read.
- Kindle Format 8: KF8 makes books look even better with support for author specified fonts and more book styling options.
- Comic Books: Kindle Keyboard now supports comic books with Kindle Panel View. Supported titles can be purchased from the Kindle Store. Books open in Kindle Panel View by default (a view that allows you to read a comic book panel by panel).
- Children’s Picture Books: Kindle Keyboard supports children’s picture books with Kindle Text Pop-Up. Supported titles can be purchased from the Kindle Store.
- Whispersync for Voice: Now you can switch back and forth between reading and listening without losing your place. Whispersync for Voice will synchronize what you read on any Kindle platform device with Audible playback on Kindle Keyboard, Kindle Fire, or on Audible apps for iPhone and Android.
I still love my Kindle 3, but I’ve ordered a new Paperwhite because of the improved screen and built-in light. Still, it’s nice to see that there’s life left in the Kindle 3. 
The update will come down automatically or can be manually installed from here.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Indeed. I just ordered a Paperwhite AND a Kindle 3 (keyboard). As much as I’m looking forward to the improved screen and light, I am really disappointed that Amazon is abandoning TTS or Read to Me. It’s a feature, for all its ‘roboticness’ that I use all the time. I don’t see a lot of tech blogs and websites really taking notice of this intentional omission. Now, instead of getting a mediocre audio version of a book, you can pay extra for the audible professional audiobook. I use Audible too. But in lots of cases the robotic voice does a serviceable job and I will miss this feature in future iterations of the Kindle.
Though I’ve never used it except for amusement it is interesting that none of the current Kindle ereaders besides the 3 support audio. Guess they’re trying to push Audible users to a Kindle tablet?
I think one of the reasons they’re dropping the TTS is because so many of the publishers weren’t allowing it to work. People thought there was something wrong with their Kindle, or that Amazon was to blame.
I use the text-to-speech function for long car rides; it is like having Stephen Hawking sitting next to me telling me a story.