Goodreads gets makeover on iOS

Amazon has finally gotten around to redesigning its Goodreads iOS app. It gets a bit more social right from the home screen where it shows updates from your friends using the service. There is also the ability to update your book progress on your currently reading shelf right from My Books section. Goodreads also introduced a More tab to house recommendations and events options.

Source: GeekWire | Download: Apple App Store (Free)

Amazon's Fire phone fizzles out

Amazon's Fire phone was launched two months ago and was made available in the market around a month ago but only in the US and on AT&T. The Fire phone was coming into a very crowded market and while it had some notable differentiators such as access to Amazon's ecosystem and a 3D-interface by way of dynamic perspective feature and the Firefly feature which allows the phone to take a picture of an item and quickly find it for sale on Amazon were niche features. Data shows that only 35,000 units of the Fire phone have been sold or at least that's what ComScore's estimated. While Bezos and Co. maintain that they're in the smartphone business for the long haul, the lack of excitement an adoptionof the already limited Fire phone doesn't bode well for Amazon in the long or short term.

Source: The Guardian

Amazon pushes new software update for Fire Phone

Amazon is looking to better your experience with the Fire Phone with this new update. Version 3.5.1 includes improved battery life; Quick Switch feature that lets you double press the home button to switch between or shut down apps; and the ability to create folders of apps or content on the app grid. You can now also pin your favorite apps on the home carousel and delete emails directly from the home screen. You also get the ability to create lenticular photos with 11 still images instead of 3. Here’s a link that lists down the new features and how users can gain access to the latest update.

Source: Android Central

Amazon adds immersive mode and other features to Kindle app for Android

Amazon recently updated its Kindle e-reader app on Android to bring some nifty features that are sure to please bookworms (or do we call them e-bookworms now?). The 4.6.0 update of the app adds an immersive mode and improved ways to control settings such as orientation and audio playback.

Immersive mode basically lets you read in peace. It works to block any notification that might pop-up from other apps. The Kindle app also now helps you control orientation. You just need to tap the bottom right of the screen to lock it in place. You can also control the audiobook you’re playing back right from the lock screen. There are a bunch of other features added so be sure to update your Kindle app or download it from here.

Source: Android Community