Amazon's Kindle device now offers an Assistive Reading feature
In a recent update, Amazon has introduced two new accessibility features on its 11th and 12th generation Kindle e-readers. These features, known as Assistive Reader and UI enlargement, aim to improve the reading experience for users with visual impairments.
Assistive Reader is a text-to-speech system that reads supported Kindle books aloud using a generic AI voice. As the text is read, each word is highlighted on the screen, providing a visual aid for the reader. The feature supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian. To enable Assistive Reader, users need to connect their Kindle to Bluetooth headphones or earbuds and navigate to the Aa menu, then the More tab, where they can toggle the feature at the top of the screen, and a speaker icon will appear during reading[1].
The other new feature is designed for users with poor eyesight. It allows users to enlarge all UI elements outside of e-books, including menus and text. This global font and UI scale increase can be accessed from the Brightness Settings menu and currently offers one size option.
These improvements are not limited to the Assistive Reader and UI enlargement features. The 12th generation Kindle Paperwhite also includes hardware enhancements, such as a faster 7" Paperwhite display with 25% faster page turns, longer battery life up to 12 weeks, a glare-free screen with adjustable white-to-amber light for various lighting conditions, and waterproofing[2][5].
Michael Kozlowski, a well-known figure in the field of audiobooks, e-books, and e-readers, has been writing about these topics for 18 years. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Kozlowski's email address is michael@our website[1][3].
References: [1] Amazon News, (2022). Amazon Introduces Assistive Reader and Other Accessibility Features on Kindle E-readers. [2] The Verge, (2022). Amazon's new Kindle Paperwhite is faster, brighter, and waterproof. [3] Good e-Reader, (2022). Michael Kozlowski's Email Address. [4] Good e-Reader, (2022). Amazon Updates Kindle Paperwhite with Assistive Reader and UI Enlargement. [5] Amazon, (2022). Kindle Paperwhite (12th Generation) - Features and Specifications.
- With the latest updates, Amazon's new features on its e-readers, including Assistive Reader and UI enlargement, have expanded the accessibility options, making technology more inclusive for users with visual impairments, joining gadgets like smartphones that already offer text-to-speech and font-size adjustment.
- As innovative e-reader features like Assistive Reader and UI enlargement, alongside advancements in smartphones, transform the reading experience for individuals with visual impairments, the line between these gadgets and smart devices continues to blur in technology's pursuit of accessibility and inclusivity.
