A glitch in the new Amazon Kindle iOS app update is erasing entire libraries of Kindle users. Amazon has issued a warning to all users and will be working with Apple on fixing the bug.
"There is a known issue with this update," writes Amazon on its own iTunes page for the app. "If you are an existing Kindle for iOS user, we recommend you do not install this update at this time."
This startling update to Version 3.6.1 of the iOS app was made on Wednesday, Feb. 27. As of 11:04 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 27, there are not yet any "Customer Reviews" about problems with the app.
The Kindle iOS app itself "is optimized for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, giving users the ability to read Kindle books, newspapers, magazines, textbooks and PDFs on a beautiful, easy-to-use interface," according to Amazon's description, which also promises users access to "over 1,000,000* books in the Kindle Store plus."
That is, of course, unless they download the app and find their entire Kindle library vanquished by doing so.
Amazon told CNET that it has in fact "already" created a fix for the glitch and is working to release it now.
Until the release, if an iOS user downloads the Kindle app update, s/he risks possibly being logged out of his/her account. Everything will be erased from his/her device: this includes bookmarks and other settings, as noted by some irate users who were forced to re-download their books from the cloud.
"While the Kindle app comes with a warning, it's easy for users to overlook," writes CNET. "It's posted in the area where the 'What's New' information is included. Some apps are updated so frequently and changes are so minor that users don't even bother reading the details about what's included before they hit download."
Amazon updated the Kindle iOS app in early February and again more recently. Together, the updates:
- Allow users to employ multicolored highlights in addition to the typical yellow (or night mode blue)
- Allow users to share on Twitter and Facebook when they finish a book (something that Kindle Fire users could do already)
- Ask the reader to review the book upon completion
- Supports X-Ray for books
All Things D received a statement from Amazon on the subject:
"We have identified an issue with the app update that may cause your app to become deregistered.
To register, enter your Amazon account e-mail address and password and all your Amazon content will be available in the cloud. We have submitted an update fix for this issue and are working with Apple to release."
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