Enhance Your eBook Experience with Word Runner: Is Speed Reading on Kindle Necessary?
Practice makes perfect. This saying applies to many things, including reading. Normally, the rule is that the more you read, the faster you get. However, some time ago, an intriguing concept called “Spritz” was introduced, where practice takes a backseat initially, and instead, a software-based solution enables fast reading speeds—even for those who aren’t typically quick readers. Here’s how it works: In a fixed section of the screen, one word is shown after another in rapid succession. Since your eyes don’t have to move and are focused on a single point, reading can be done much faster than the usual word-to-word and line-to-line scanning.
For certain applications, this makes a lot of sense to me. For reading emails or articles on the internet, it can be very practical—especially in a hectic daily routine, you can manage your time particularly efficiently this way.
The concept of Spritz has also made quite a splash in the eBook sector, as the idea of being able to read books quickly is quite appealing to some.
Speed Reading with Word Runner
Amazon apparently thought the same and has implemented a similar speed reading feature in the Kindle app for Android. It’s also promoted with the recently launched Kindle Fire Tablets, goes by the name Word Runner, and fundamentally works the same as the aforementioned Spritz software.
The reading speed can be individually adjusted between 100 and 900 words per minute. Average readers typically manage between 200 and 250 words per minute with normal continuous text, good readers around 400 words per minute, and exceptionally talented and practiced individuals can even reach 800 to 1000 words per minute.
The retailer has also expanded the speed-reading application so that Word Runner better suits the requirements of eBook reading. The key innovation here is the Brake. When you tap the screen, the word flow automatically pauses, and you can easily scroll back with a swipe gesture if needed. This way, the system forgives a brief lapse in concentration.
Do you actually want that?
But this is where the real issue lies, because such a speed reading function requires uninterrupted attention. Despite the dynamic speed adjustment for short and long words or when encountering punctuation marks, you ultimately need to keep your eyes intently fixed in the middle of the screen, otherwise, you might easily lose track.
For reading novels, this seems a bit counterintuitive, at least to me. Personally, I don’t want to rush through good stories or feel rushed (!); I want to immerse myself in a book and let my thoughts wander randomly. Even though everything has to be faster, bigger, better in today’s world, for most eBook users, relaxation is likely the priority when reading for leisure, rather than time efficiency.
Additionally, while using Word Runner, you can’t access other functions (like notes, dictionaries, footnotes, etc.) that are now standard in the digital book market. You need to switch back to the regular full-screen mode for that. At least when switching back, a marker shows exactly where you left off, so you don’t lose any time…
Only for selected eBooks, not for eReaders
To be fair, it’s not certain that Amazon is targeting primarily novels and stories with this feature. It’s quite possible that more non-fiction and technical books could be adapted, where focused reading and working are more common, and a potential time-saving could indeed be practical.
Currently, Word Runner is only available for selected English-language eBooks. Similar to X-Ray, Amazon will likely first establish the feature in its home market and then slowly introduce it to Germany. You can check it out again at leisure on a dedicated information page on Amazon’s US homepage—including an introductory video.
It’s questionable whether Word Runner will eventually be available for a dedicated reading device. E-Ink displays are generally suitable for rapid screen changes; however, the ghosting effect could become problematic after not even a hundred words, leaving distracting screen artifacts or reducing contrast.
What do you think—is speed reading as a software solution a useful innovation for eBook apps, or are you like me, someone who prefers to read for relaxation? Let us know in the comments!
