Amazon has introduced a new AI-powered feature for Kindle devices, designed to support readers returning to book series after extended gaps or after having waited for new installments. Named “Recaps,” this tool provides concise summaries of previously read books, enabling readers to quickly recall key details without having to go through earlier titles all over again.
The Recaps feature is being gradually rolled out to Kindle users in the United States through an over-the-air software update. It offers access to summaries for thousands of widely popular English-language series, regardless of whether they were bought or borrowed.
To access the feature, users must first update their Kindle to the latest software version. Once updated, they can find the “View Recaps” option either within the menu of a book series or directly from the Kindle Library interface.
Though not explicitly mentioned in the company blog post on this, Amazon confirmed to TechCrunch that the Recaps feature utilizes generative AI, with summaries also reviewed by human moderators. In an official statement, Amazon spokesperson Ale Iraheta explained that both AI-driven tools and internal review processes are employed to ensure the summaries faithfully represent the original content.
Meanwhile, Amazon has further stated that the Recaps feature will be introduced to the Kindle app for iOS soon. There is no word yet as to when it is going to be available on the Kindle app for Android.