Amazon.com Help: Kindle Software Update Latest Generation [but only for latest-generation Kindle devices]

There are some very compelling capabilities in the new Kindle software; bummer I won’t be able to use the upgraded system software on my second-generation Kindle.  I asked Amazon support if/when the features may appear for the other-than-latest Kindle devices; the reply included “I'd like to inform you that the 2nd generation Kindle will not be compatible for the latest software update (3.1).”   In the grand scheme of things, I can’t say I’m surprised; the latest Kindle has a higher-resolution screen, more memory, a WebKit-based browser client, and more, and Amazon should focus on new features that exploit those capabilities.  Furthermore, it’s not like my second-generation Kindle is getting orphaned; it still does what I bought it for, and continues to work very well for my needs.  Apparently I’ll have to move to a newer Kindle model, however, if I want the features listed below.  For now, I’m still hopeful the next wave of Kindle devices will bring some interesting new options, so I’ll continue to wait and watch…

Some of the features included in this update are:

• Public Notes -- This feature lets Kindle users choose to make their book notes and highlights available for others to see. Any Kindle user -- including authors, their fans, book reviewers, professors and passionate readers everywhere -- can opt-in to share their thoughts on book passages and ideas with friends, family members, colleagues, and the greater Kindle community of people who love to read. This is a new way for readers to share their excitement and knowledge about books and get more from the books they read. To review and turn on Public Notes in your own books, view the Public Notes of people you follow, track your reading activities, see Popular Highlights and your annotations, and view your full library of books, go to https://kindle.amazon.com. Learn more.
• Real Page Numbers -- 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. We've already added real page numbers to tens of thousands of Kindle books, including the top 100 bestselling books in the Kindle Store that have matching print editions and thousands more of the most popular books. Page numbers will also be available on our free "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" Kindle apps in the coming months. As with all of Kindle's features, we want you to lose yourself in the author's words, so page numbers are only displayed when you press the Menu button. Learn more.
• Before You Go ... -- When you reach the end of the book, you can immediately rate the book, share a message about the book with your social network, get personalized recommendations for what to read next, and see more books by the same author. Learn more.
• New Newspaper and Magazine Layout -- We're introducing a new and improved layout for newspapers and magazines. This new layout gives you a quick snapshot of the news and helps you decide what you want to read first. Learn more.

Amazon.com Help: Kindle Software Update Latest Generation