Amazon is killing off pre-2012 Kindle eReaders, even if they’re working just fine
You would think that an eReader is a simple enough device that, as long as the hardware works, you’d be able to use it nearly forever. Well, if you have an older Kindle from 2012 or earlier, we’ve got bad news for you: Amazon is discontinuing support for them.
Specifically, these are the models affected:
- Kindle 1st Generation (2007)
- Kindle DX and DX Graphite (2009 and 2010)
- Kindle Keyboard (2010)
- Kindle 4 (2011)
- Kindle Touch (2011)
- Kindle 5 (2012)
- Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation (2012)
- Kindle Fire 1st Gen (2011)
- Kindle Fire 2nd Gen (2012)
- Kindle Fire HD 7 (2012)
- Kindle Fire HD 8.9 (2012)
According to Amazon, from 20 May onwards, you will no longer be able purchase, borrow or download any additional eBooks onto your device, but you will still be able to read content already downloaded onto them. However, if you deregister or factory reset your eReader, you will not be able to re-register and use them again.
In their email sent out to users of the affected models, Amazon offered them a 20% promo code off selected new Kindles along with USD20 eBook credit added to their account valid till 20 June, likely as a way to placate users. That being said, it’s certainly tougher for Malaysians with an affected Kindle to actually make use of their promotional code for new Kindles, as Amazon’s eReaders are not actually available here in any official capacity, only through grey imports and resellers.
You can of course consider opting out of the Amazon ecosystem altogether; the Kobo Clara BW we previously reviewed is officially available here, and is one of the best entry-level eReaders in our opinion. Best part? If you’re a bit more tech savvy, you can download back your Kindle library and side load them onto your new Kobo eReader. Check out our review of the Kobo Clara BW by clicking here.
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