Kindle Scribe Update 5.17.3 Adds New Note-Taking Panel, But With a Catch

[BookMan]

Software updates automatically download and install on your Kindle when connected wirelessly. These free software updates include general improvements and performance enhancements.

Before You Start​

Be sure to download software updates onto a desktop computer in order to install them onto your device. For more information, visit Manually Update Your Kindle E-Reader Software.

Note: Determine what Kindle E-Reader model you're using before downloading any software updates. Refer to Identify Your Kindle E-Reader.

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Kindle Scribe​

Version 5.17.3 – January 2025

Amazon has released software update 5.17.3 for the 2022 and 2024 Kindle Scribe, introducing a new side panel marginfor writing notes in ebooks and Word documents. Users can choose to have the panel overlay text or reflow around it, with adjustable sizes in portrait (two increments) and landscape (three increments) modes.

A new persistent icon is now present on the screen to access this feature, and it cannot be hidden, which some users find distracting. The previous 5.17.2 update added in-book notetaking with resizable text-wrapping boxes, and this update further expands note-taking functionality.

Here's what's new:

Side Panel Margin: You can now open a side panel margin to write notes in eBooks with enhanced typesetting and Word documents. Choose between docked or overlay settings, and tap the caret to adjust its width.

Performance improvements, bug fixes, and other general enhancements.

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See the Kindle update page on Amazon here.