Amazon upsets ebook lovers by ending support for old Kindle devices
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Amazon will cease support for Kindle and Kindle Fire devices released in 2012 or earlier starting 20 May 2026, preventing these older models from accessing new content from the Kindle store.
- Approximately 2 million e-readers, including early models like the Kindle Touch and first-generation Fire tablets, will be affected by this change.
- Users can still read previously downloaded ebooks and access their Kindle libraries via mobile and desktop apps, with discounts offered to encourage upgrading to newer devices.
- Critics have expressed frustration online, accusing Amazon of generating significant electronic waste by rendering still-functional devices obsolete.
- Amazon cites security, support challenges, and hardware limitations as reasons for the decision, noting that the affected devices have been supported for 14 to 18 years.
