Amazon has taken a significant step in the e-reader market as it updates its Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft with a thrilling new feature aimed at enhancing user experience.

Following the discontinuation of the 2016 Kindle Oasis in early 2024, Kindle enthusiasts have lamented the absence of physical page-turn buttons. Unfortunately, it appears that Amazon has no immediate plans to reintroduce this feature; however, the latest 5.18.1 software update offers a workaround that might just satisfy eager users: a "double tap to page turn" capability.

This innovative feature allows readers to turn pages or move to the next screen with a double tap on the back or side of the device, offering a refreshing alternative to the traditional touchscreen input.

Although the update is compatible with all Kindle models dating back to the 10th generation from 2018, the double-tap feature is exclusive to the new 12th-generation Paperwhite and Colorsoft models. Users of older Kindle devices and Kindle Scribe models will unfortunately miss out on this exciting functionality.

In addition to the double-tap page turn, the 5.18.1 software update introduces new book summaries for thousands of bestselling English-language Kindle books.

This feature is designed to assist readers in easily catching up on book series, providing recaps that can be accessed from the home screen or directly from within book menus.

Upon selecting a recap, readers will be greeted with a spoiler warning—perfect for those who prefer to tread carefully through storyline revelations. While examining these recaps, it appears many may be AI-generated, although Amazon hasn’t clarified the origin of their content.

As a cherry on top, the update includes essential improvements such as performance enhancements, bug fixes, and general updates across all models, ensuring a smoother reading experience.

Notably, this release marks the first time that the Kindle Colorsoft and other e-reader models are running on the same software version, a long-anticipated move by users who seek cohesive functionality across their devices.

As readers eagerly adopt these changes, one has to wonder—will Amazon listen to the growing calls for physical buttons in future Kindle iterations? Only time will tell.

Until then, the 5.18.1 software update brings much-needed evolution to the Kindle lineup, promising a better reading journey for every e-book lover. Stay tuned for more updates and features as Amazon continues to enhance its beloved e-readers!