Devoted users of Amazon’s older Kindle devices are expressing frustration after the company announced it will discontinue support for e-readers manufactured in 2012 and earlier.
The change, which took effect after May 20, means owners of these older devices can no longer download new books or receive software updates from Amazon.
Among those affected is Claudia Buonocore, a 39-year-old from the Pittsburgh area, who has cherished her 15-year-old Kindle Touch.
“I’ve never felt the desire to have another device,” Buonocore explained. “It’s a part of me, a lifesaver, I fall asleep with it almost every night.”
Her attachment to the device makes Amazon’s decision particularly difficult to accept.
“It’s just a complete betrayal of customers,” said Buonocore.
While Amazon continues supporting more recent models and has provided a 20% discount on current devices ranging from $110 to $680, plus $20 in e-book credits, many loyal users aren’t interested in upgrading.
Brian Oelberg, a 64-year-old Chicago resident, has been stockpiling digital books on his 2010-era Kindle Keyboard since learning about Amazon’s decision. He estimates having approximately 250 titles stored and plans to disable the device’s WiFi connection to prevent any software changes that might erase his collection.
After testing newer models at a retail store, Oelberg wasn’t convinced they offered improvements, particularly noting the absence of physical page-turn buttons.
“There’s no reason for Amazon to be doing this,” said the Chicago resident, explaining that the buttons enable him to read outside during cold weather without removing his gloves.
Supporters of the older Kindle models praise their longevity and physical controls, which they believe surpass newer versions like the $180 Kindle Paperwhite. They argue the newer devices consume battery power more rapidly due to their backlit displays.
Technology companies commonly discontinue support for older products due to security concerns, costs, and other considerations, encouraging customers to purchase updated versions. The exact number of devices impacted by Amazon’s policy change remains unclear.
Amazon defended its decision, stating it had maintained support for these devices for 14 years or longer but couldn’t continue indefinitely.
“Technology has come a long way in that time,” said a spokesperson.
Although Amazon wasn’t the original creator of e-readers, it popularized the technology when it launched the first Kindle in 2007. Currently, Amazon holds 72% of the e-reader market, according to Business Research Insights.
Online communities are sharing various methods to extend the usefulness of these devices, including jailbreaking, which removes software limitations to allow alternative programs, and sideloading, which transfers books from computers to the device via USB connections.
Cathy Ryan, a 59-year-old Vermont resident who refurbishes older Kindles for sale on eBay as a hobby, anticipates the policy change will negatively impact her business. She owns five Kindles and continues using a second-generation model purchased in 2009.
“I suppose nothing lasts forever, but I am just really annoyed,” said Ryan.
Cathy DeMail, 69, from The Villages, Florida, suspects Amazon has hidden motives and has been downloading books to her device in preparation.
“It’s a shame I am getting railroaded into this,” she said, noting she’ll probably need to purchase a newer touchscreen version.
“I hate it, it’s the principle of the thing that bothers me.”
