Kindle for Mac 1.5.1
Amazon has released version 1.5.1 of its popular Kindle app for Mac OS X. This update includes tweaks to the user interface and built-in dictionary to support the German language, the capability of displaying “real” page numbers for Kindle books that include them, and the capability to view passages that have been highlighted by other Kindle users. The Kindle app now also allows you to consult the built-in dictionary without leaving your book. The update is available through Amazon’s Web site; although the Kindle app can also be downloaded from the Mac App Store, the version there appears to be behind by several releases. (Free, 26.6 MB)
Amazon's Kindle group is quite capable. I wonder why we have to update manually each time. If one-guy-in-a-garage apps typically have auto-updating now. This sort of thing leaves the app looking half-built under an "Under Construction" sign.
There's an open-source framework for auto-updating called Sparkle that most independent developers use if they don't want to write the code themselves. But a number of big developers seem leery of it, and thus suffer with sub-optimal update experiences because of it.
FALSE ADVERTISING! I went to download the app, and there was a large button labeled "Download now for Mac OS 10.5 and above" So I downloaded it to my Mac OS 10.5.8 iMac and installed it. However, when I tried to launch it, I was told I could not use it on my iMac!
Why? Because it is a G5.
So back to Amazon, and after scrolling down several pages, only buried at the end does it say Intel required. Both OS AND processor requirements should be in the "Download now" button.
Also, maybe TidBITS could put "Intel only" on the articles for software that says it is for Mac OS 10.5 if it doesn't run on G4/G5 machines capable of running Mac OS 10.5.8?
We try to mention that when we notice, but it's always helpful when readers fill in details that we miss but are important to some people.
I didn't mean TidBITS was doing false advertising. I meant Amazon advertised it as working with Mac OS 10.5 without any qualifiers at the top of the page on the download button. Since 10.5 runs on both PPC & Intel, without the qualifying "Intel only" or "PPC only", one is lead to believe that the software runs on both. Amazon's customers should not have to dig through several pages to find critical information like system requirements.
I apologize for not making my statement clear.