This Kindle hack is like getting audiobooks without spending a dime

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 after I realized that Amazon had updated its Kindle software to incorporate a brand new ebook listening characteristic, I used to be intrigued.

Listening to audiobooks on Kindle gadgets is not new, because it has been potential by way of Audible for some time. Nevertheless, Amazon’s newest replace to its Kindle gadgets, 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 ebook helps it. Moreover, when you’re listening, the textual content being learn to you is highlighted in your display screen, making it simpler to observe alongside.

I just 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, simple to make use of, and utterly free. For those who’re additionally interested by giving Assistive Reader a attempt, this is what you may must do to get it in your Kindle, and use it.

The right way to use Assistive Reader in your Kindle

You may must replace your Kindle for it to seem

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 examine which model your Kindle is operating, you may must go to Settings > Gadget Choices. From there, faucet on Software program Updates. If the pop-up in your display screen says you are on model 5.18.5 (or newer), you then’re all set. If it reveals you are on an older model, you may must replace your Kindle. If it would not mechanically 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 need to replace mechanically. For those who need assistance studying manually replace your Kindle, you’ll be able to 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. Nevertheless, there may be nonetheless one other caveat. Since Kindle e-readers haven’t got audio system, you may want a Bluetooth audio machine to have the ability to use the characteristic. When you’ve got any Bluetooth headphones, like Apple’s AirPods, that can do the trick. I used AirPods with my Kindle, and it labored with out problem. To pair headphones along with your Kindle, head to Settings > Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and toggle on Bluetooth. As soon as you’ve got achieved that, choose Bluetooth gadgets slightly below it. Hit the pairing button in your headphones, they usually’ll pop up in your Kindle’s display screen to pair.

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

1. Open your Kindle library and decide a title to take heed to.

2. As soon as your ebook is open, faucet close to the highest of the display screen 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 screen. Faucet Extra .

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

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

7. On the backside of your display screen, you may see an choice to begin taking part in Assistive Reader, together with choices to rewind and improve the velocity.

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

Assistive Reader is a helpful accessibility characteristic

It would not sound nearly as good as an audiobook, nevertheless it’s nonetheless useful nonetheless

I’ve used the Assistive Reader characteristic on just a few books now, listening with my AirPods Professional, and I actually discovered the expertise to be fairly good. I like how one can alter the narration velocity — both slowing it down or rushing 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 individuals who want an additional hand, Assistive Reader serves as a robust accessibility characteristic.

My largest critique of Assistive Reader is the generic AI voice it makes use of. It is not precisely nice to take heed to for lengthy intervals, however I suppose it will get the job achieved. 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 superb. It is a main step ahead for accessibility, and in order for you your Kindle ebook learn aloud, it is a easy method to take action — should you do not thoughts the generic AI voice.