Kindle loyalists scramble as Amazon turns page on old e-readers | Reuters

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REUTERS/Kevin Coombs/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tabSummaryCompaniesAmazon to end support for Kindles made in 2012 or earlier starting May 20Longtime users criticize move, citing device durability and loss of physical buttonsSome are buying multiple e-books now to keep old Kindles usableSAN FRANCISCO, May 19 (Reuters) - For Claudia Buonocore, the thought of parting ways with her 15-year-old Kindle Touch e-reader is painful.“I’ve never felt the ‌desire to have another device,” said the 39-year-old Pittsburgh area resident. “It’s a part of me, a lifesaver, I fall asleep with it almost every night.” Sign up here.Buonocore and other Kindle users face an unwelcome change. Amazon (AMZN.O), opens new tab last month said it would end support for e-readers released in 2012 and earlier, preventing users from downloading new books or receiving ​software updates after May 20.“It’s just a complete betrayal of customers,” said Buonocore.Amazon will support newer devices and has offered a 20% ​discount on recent models, priced from $110 to $680, with $20 in e-book credits. But many Kindle loyalists are not ready to turn ⁠the page on their beloved gadgets.Brian Oelberg has been loading up his 2010-era Kindle Keyboard with e-books since learning of Amazon’s plans, and ​estimates he now has about 250 titles. He plans to switch off the device’s WiFi starting Wednesday to keep it safe from any software updates ​that wipe it clean.Oelberg, 64, said he recently tried newer models at a Best Buy store but was unimpressed, noting they lack physical page-turn buttons. “There’s no reason for Amazon to be doing this,” said the Chicago resident, adding the buttons allow him to read outdoors in cold weather without removing gloves.Fans of older Kindles say the ​devices’ durability and physical buttons are unmatched by newer versions such as the $180 Kindle Paperwhite, which they say drains battery life more quickly with ​its backlit screen.Many technology firms phase out older devices due to security, cost and other factors, prompting users to upgrade. It was not possible to determine how ‌many devices ⁠are affected by Amazon’s move.Amazon said it had supported the devices for 14 years or more and could not keep doing so indefinitely. "Technology has come a long way in that time," said a spokesperson.While Amazon was not the first company to produce e-readers, it pushed them into the mainstream with the introduction of the first Kindle in 2007. In a near-instant, users could download e-books onto the device over cellular networks and gain access to Amazon’s vast catalogue of titles.Today, Amazon commands 72% of ​the e-reader market, according to research ​firm Business Research Insights. Amazon itself has ⁠never disclosed Kindle sales.Commentators on social media sites offer plenty of solutions to keeping the devices useful for years to come. That includes so-called jailbreaking, meaning removing software restrictions to allow other software to be installed; ​and sideloading, a means of adding books to the device from a computer, typically through a USB cord.Others ​are turning to ⁠open-source software like e-book manager Calibre, which does not rely on Amazon’s systems.Cathy Ryan, who repairs older Kindles for resale on eBay as a hobby, expects the change to hurt her business. The 59-year-old Vermont resident owns five Kindles and still uses a second-generation device bought in 2009.“I suppose nothing lasts forever, ⁠but I ​am just really annoyed,” said Ryan.Cathy DeMail, 69, from The Villages, Florida, said she sees ​an ulterior motive and has been trying to load her device with books. “It’s a shame I am getting railroaded into this,” she said, adding she will likely have to buy ​a newer touchscreen model.“I hate it, it’s the principle of the thing that bothers me.”Reporting by Greg Bensinger; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tabSuggested Topics:Retail & ConsumerXFacebookLinkedinEmailLinkPurchase Licensing RightsGreg BensingerThomson ReutersGreg Bensinger joined Reuters as a technology correspondent in 2022 focusing on the world's largest technology companies. He was previously a member of The New York Times editorial board and a technology beat reporter for The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. He also worked for Bloomberg News writing about the auto and telecommunications industries. He studied English literature at The University of Virginia and graduate journalism at Columbia University. Greg lives in San Francisco with his wife and two children. 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Amazon has discontinued support for Kindle e-readers manufactured in 2012 or earlier, effective May 20, signaling a significant shift for long-time users of these devices. This decision has prompted strong criticism from Kindle loyalists who cite concerns regarding the durability of the older devices and the elimination of physical buttons, which many users find essential for reading comfort. While Amazon offers continued support and discounts for newer models, including e-book credits, this action has generated dissatisfaction among users accustomed to the older hardware.

Many loyal customers view this policy as a betrayal, emphasizing that these devices were essential tools for reading, providing comfort and utility for extended periods. For example, some users rely on their older devices for essential routines, such as falling asleep with the reader, underscoring a deep emotional attachment to the technology. This sentiment highlights a conflict between corporate streamlining of product support and established customer expectations for device longevity and physical interaction.

In response to this change, some users are adapting by acquiring multiple e-books to maintain usability of their existing devices. Furthermore, those who own older models, such as the Kindle Keyboard, are taking proactive measures to prevent potential issues arising from the discontinuation of updates, such as disabling WiFi connectivity to safeguard the devices from any software changes.

The preference for older devices is rooted in perceived advantages over newer models. Many enthusiasts contend that the durability and the presence of physical page-turn buttons on older readers are superior to those on newer devices, like the Kindle Paperwhite, which some find drain battery life more rapidly due to their backlit screens. This contrast suggests that the value proposition for some consumers lies in tangible design elements rather than purely technological upgrades.

Amazon's rationale for the change was based on the fact that they had supported these devices for over fourteen years and could not sustain indefinite support, citing technological advancements over that period. This move aligns with broader industry trends where technology firms often phase out older hardware due to considerations involving security, cost management, and evolving technological landscapes.

Despite Amazon's policy change, a community of users has developed alternative methods to extend the utility of older devices. These include utilizing methods such as jailbreaking to remove software restrictions and sideloading books directly from a computer via USB. Additionally, users are engaging with open-source software, such as the e-book manager Calibre, which operates independently of Amazon's proprietary systems.

This situation has implications extending beyond consumer satisfaction. Individuals involved in the resale market, such as those who repair older Kindles, anticipate that this policy will negatively impact their business operations. Furthermore, some users perceive an underlying motive behind the decision, feeling they are being pushed toward newer models. The narrative therefore involves a tension between corporate strategy, the durability and user experience preferences of long-term owners, and the evolving landscape of digital media consumption methods.