Amazon adds real page numbers to Kindle eBooks

Nicole Kobie February 8, 2011

Amazon is adding real page numbers to eBooks on its Kindle readers.

Amazon adds real page numbers to Kindle eBooks

At the moment, Kindle eBooks show the percentage of a book a reader has finished, as well as the “location” – usually a number reaching into the thousands.

Because the location number doesn’t correspond with page numbers in physical printed copies of books, it makes it difficult to use the Kindle as part of classes or book groups.

“Our customers have told us they want real page numbers that match the page numbers in print books so they can easily reference and cite passages, and read alongside others in a book club or class,” the company said in a post on the Kindle blog.

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“Rather than add page numbers that don’t correspond to print books, which is how page numbers have been added to eBooks in the past, we’re adding real page numbers that correspond directly to a book’s print edition.”

The change will come via update to the Kindle software, bringing it to version 3.1. The company has already added such page references to tens of thousands of books, including its list of 100 bestsellers. Page numbers will arrive in Kindle apps in the “coming months,” Amazon said.

The 3.1 update will arrive over Wi-Fi to Kindle devices when it’s ready, but a preview can be downloaded here. However, after updating two Kindles in the PC Pro office, we found that both page numbers and locations had been removed from our existing book libraries. (Update: A PC Pro reader has figured the system out for us: while in a book, press menu, and the location and page numbers will both appear.)

Other features

The update will also bring in a new public notes feature, letting users share their highlighted passages and notes with the world. To opt in and set it up, visit the Kindle page here.

Once readers hit the end of an eBook, they’ll now be prompted to rate what they’ve read and share their thoughts via social networking, via a “Before you go” page.

The update also improves the look of magazines and newspapers on the device. “This new layout gives you a quick snapshot of the news and helps you decide what you want to read first,” the company said.