Kindle users in uproar re: latest update, old devices now unusable: 'Fuck You '
Amazon is ending support for Kindle devices released in 2012 and earlier, leading to a massive backlash from users who feel their beloved devices are being forced into obsolescence.
Bookworms are lighting torches and sharpening their pitchforks in fiery fury as Amazon prepares to cease supporting older Kindle technologies this spring.
“Starting May 20, 2026, customers using Kindle and Kindle Fire devices released in 2012 and earlier will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download new content via the Kindle Store,” representatives for Amazon confirmed in an exclusive quote to The Post.
“These models have been supported for at least 14 years — some as long as 18 years — but technology has come a long way in that time, and these devices will no longer be supported moving forward,” the spokesperson continued.
“We are notifying those still actively using them and offering promotions to help with the transition to newer devices,” the insider added. “Their accounts and Kindle Library also remain fully accessible through the free Kindle app and Kindle for Web.”
Impacted devices will include Kindle 1st Generation (2007) and 2nd Generation (2009), Kindle DX (2009) and DX Graphite (2010), Kindle Keyboard (2010), Kindle 4 (2011), Kindle Touch (2011), Kindle 5 (2012), and Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation (2012).
The Kindle Fire 1st Gen (2011), Kindle Fire 2nd Gen (2012), Kindle Fire HD 7 (2012), Kindle Fire HD 8.9 (2012), are also on the chopping block.
A vexed X user shared a screenshot of a message, purportedly sent via Amazon, confirming the impending discontinuation.
The forewarning explained that Kindle fans can “continue to read books already downloaded on these devices, but you will not be able to purchase, borrow or download additional books on them after that date.”
“If you deregister or factory reset these devices, you will not be able to re-register or use these devices in any way.”
It’s a bombshell that’s not registering well with boiling mad bibliophiles.
“Stupidly and naively, it didn’t occur to me that Amazon would force-retire my Kindle Fire 7 that my wife gave me for an anniversary well over a decade ago, one of my most treasured possessions,” another moaned. “It wasn’t hurting anyone. It just sat there and worked every time I asked.”
“I finally discovered why they are doing this,” wrote a sore cynic. “The new Kindle devices have ads in them, which you have to pay extra to remove them. I’m assuming they couldn’t put ads on the old Kindles. Sooner or later, the ads will play every other page! We live in corporate hell now!.”
“This is A NIGHTMARE,” ranted an equally peeved protestor. “Amazon is bricking old Kindles, including my beloved Kindle 5 (with the side buttons). I hate the touch screen versions, I’ve tried them and I’m always accidentally flipping pages.”
Coincidentally, the termination of antiquated Kindles comes amid a resurrection of retro technology — like landline telephones and disposable cameras — thanks to nostalgic Gen Zs.
The trendsetting 20-somethings are ditching new-fangled digital doodads for old-timey gadgets and habits.
Whippersnappers obsessed with the Y2K-era and earlier are even adopting “grandma hobbies,” such as knitting, gardening and, of course, reading a book, in lieu of incessantly perusing social media.
“It’s a really therapeutic way to kind of distract yourself from either work or stress, but also just do something with your hands instead of doomscrolling,” Emma MacTaggart, 23, who was crowned for popularizing the term “grandma hobbies” online, said in a statement.
“We became completely obsessed.”
Source: Hacker News
