this post was submitted on 12 Apr 2026
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Amazon thanks loyal Kindle devotees by bricking their kit (www.theregister.com)
submitted 3 months ago by Rekall_Incorporated@piefed.social to c/hardware@lemmy.world
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[–] Peasley@lemmy.world 12 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

Devices should be supported longer than 14 years. There is nothing about a 1st gen kindle that makes it incompatible with modern technology. For Amazon, an immortal entity, to act like 14 years is already gracious is nonsense. A 20 year lifespan (including repairs) should be the bare minimum standard.

Humans live 80-100 years. I shouldnt have to buy 6 or more e-readers (or 25+ smartphones) over my lifespan just to have access to one

Cutting them off from the online store is one thing, but the fact that they are bricked if you deregister or factory reset them is awful

I have a kindle keyboard that hasn't been online in over a decade, but still gets regular use. i upload drm-free ebooks i own using Calibre. Now it will be impossible for me to give it away since it is forever zombie locked to my Amazon account

[–] limerod@reddthat.com 12 points 3 months ago (1 children)

If it was EPUB. It would've actually continued to function fine. For a device which is an E-reader it should stop working when it breaks, not when it does not connect.

[–] Peasley@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago

Agreed. I won the device in a raffle, i don't think i'd buy one or recommended doing so. Converting books into mobi before uploading is an annoyance

[–] SleeplessCityLights@programming.dev 2 points 3 months ago

That's upsetting to know for like 60 years of my life I have and will continue to buy a new phone every 3 years. 20 fucking phones is crazy.

[–] Paranoidfactoid@lemmy.world 10 points 3 months ago

The device remains useful. Jailbreak it. Or sideload books with Calibre over USB. The DX in particular is still a nice ereader.

Fuck Amazon.

[–] Rekall_Incorporated@piefed.social 8 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I have multiple books from the Kindle store, but I've never used a Kindle.

Why does Amazon even need to have a sunset date (or perhaps how is it they can even define one?). Or do these 2010-2025 era Kindle device still get updates for tings like DRM?

The Amazon store stops working, you can still move either EPUB or the AZW files via USB, can you not?

[–] limerod@reddthat.com 8 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Why does Amazon even need to have a sunset date (or perhaps how is it they can even define one?).

They do because why not. Its their hardware and software. You chose to be bound when you purchased and agreed to their Terms & conditions.

Or do these 2010-2025 era Kindle device still get updates for tings like DRM?

It's literally written in the article. You can read existing books as long as you do not factory reset the device or de-register your account. New books cannot be added or purchased.

The Amazon store stops working, you can still move either EPUB or the AZW files via USB, can you not?

Unless, amazon provides a DRM free Epub at that time. The answer is no. You bought the license to read not own the ebook. Maybe, look into tools to download and decrypt the books if you have some.

I would recommend getting your Ebooks DRM free from other places. Do not be restricted by corporations who exploit for profit.

[–] Mondoshawan@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 months ago

They do because why not. Its their hardware and software. You chose to be bound when you purchased and agreed to their Terms & conditions.

If I purchased it it's mine, especially the hardware

[–] its_prolly_fine@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 months ago

Yep! You need a program to get them off of kindle, to put anything on you just need to find the right folder. I have been using Calibre for years, it's great. Does all the work for you and is easy to use.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 8 points 3 months ago

“If they were really loyal they would have bought a new device every year” - Amazon, probably

[–] pipe01@programming.dev 7 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Buy Kobo

[–] RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago

I just bought a couple books on my Paper White model, and was thinking about how it's an older device that I really have no reason to update, and how refreshing that was these days.

[–] HootinNHollerin@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 3 months ago

!deamazon@piefed.social

This instance shut down, but for reference !deamazon@lemm.ee