The new $79 Kindle 4th Generation is tipped for a firmware update next week. This should be rolling out via WIFI or manual download. There is a number of new enhancements such as; support for books with complex layouts and formats with Kindle Format 8.
Other notable features of the upcoming firmware update include; Improved reading font that is higher contrast and crisper so that you can enjoy a paper-like reading experience. Parental Controls now allow you to restrict access to the Experimental Web Browser, Archived Items and the Kindle Store. The most exciting new feature is the support for children’s books with Kindle Text Pop-Up and comic books with Kindle Panel View(which allows you to read a comic book panel by panel). Books that support these features will be available from the Kindle store over the next few weeks. This would really make the Kindle an optimal device to read comics and one of the first e-ink screens to have a native comic book reader.
Additional information about the software update is available here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_navbox_top_kindle4?nodeId=200774090
Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past ten years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and Verge.