Amazon Adds AI Recaps to Kindle for Easier Book Series Catch-Up
Amazon rolls out AI-powered Recaps on Kindle, helping readers quickly catch up on book series. Available via software update in the US.
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Amazon has begun rolling out a new artificial intelligence-driven feature on Kindle devices aimed at assisting readers who revisit book series after long breaks. Known as "Recaps," the tool generates brief summaries of previously read books, allowing readers to refresh their memory without re-reading earlier titles.
The Recaps feature is available to Kindle users in the United States and is being deployed through an over-the-air software update. Kindle users can access the summaries for thousands of popular English-language series titles, whether purchased or borrowed.
To locate the feature, users must update their Kindle to the latest software version. They can then look for the "View Recaps" option within a book series' menu or directly from the Kindle Library interface.
Amazon confirmed to TechCrunch that the Recaps are powered by generative AI and reviewed by human moderators. In an official statement, Amazon representative Ale Iraheta stated that both generative AI tools and Amazon’s internal review processes are used to ensure summaries accurately reflect original content.
Before accessing the summary, readers are notified that spoilers related to characters and story arcs may be included. After confirming the warning, users are granted access to the recap.
Though Amazon’s announcement did not directly mention the use of AI, its spokesperson later clarified the involvement of generative AI in producing these summaries. Feedback from users on online forums such as Reddit includes concerns about the reliability and accuracy of the summaries.
Amazon has also confirmed that the Recaps feature will be extended to the Kindle app on iOS devices in the near future.
