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{{InfoboxProductLine
{{ProductLineCargo
| Title = Amazon Kindle
|ArticleType=Product, Service<!-- both? the kindles and the kindle store are pretty intertwined-->
| Release Year = 2007
|Category=E-readers, Publishing
| Product Type = E-reader
|Company=Amazon
| In Production = Yes
|Description=Amazon Kindle is a product line of e-readers made by Amazon.
| Official Website = https://amazon.com/kindle
|InProduction=Yes
| Logo = QuestionMark.svg
|Logo=Amazon kindle logo.png
|ReleaseYear=2007
|Website=https://amazon.com/kindle
}}
}}


'''Amazon Kindle''' is a product line of e-readers made by [[Amazon]].
'''Amazon Kindle''' is a product line of e-readers made by '''[[Amazon]]'''.


==Controversies==
=Consumer impact summary=
While EPUB has been the widely adopted format for digital books<ref>https://www.w3.org/TR/epub-33/</ref>, the Kindle e-readers do not support this format natively. That means that it is not possible to load these files directly to the e-reader (which is called sideloading), but have to be converted first to one of the proprietary formats the Kindle uses. Books directly purchased through Amazon come with [[DRM]] restrictions.
{{Ph-C-CIS}}


Around 2022 it was announced that there would be an option to read these files<ref>https://mashable.com/article/amazon-kindle-epub</ref>, which was not through native support but via their e-mail service or dedicated app for the Kindle. Both send the file to the Kindle Cloud Library, and process the file on Amazon servers to the proprietary format.  
==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].


As for the sideloading itself, newer firmware versions of Kindle e-readers only work with [[wikipedia:Media_Transfer_Protocol|MTP]]<ref>https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2024/10/20/amazon-removed-download-and-transfer-option-for-new-kindles/</ref>, which led to controversy among power users as it disrupted existing workflow, which is to be expected. Book management software like Calibre<ref>https://calibre-ebook.com/</ref> address this issue, and can do the conversion of file formats locally. The recent firmware updates have caused other issues, like faster battery drain than before and a slower user experience.<ref>https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/the-amazon-kindle-is-in-a-state-of-decline</ref>
===No native support for EPUB format===
While EPUB has been the widely adopted format for digital books,<ref>{{Cite web |title=EPUB 3.3 |url=https://www.w3.org/TR/epub-33/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128221235/https://www.w3.org/TR/epub-33/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[w3.org]]}}</ref> the Kindle e-readers do not support this format natively. That means that it is not possible to load these files directly to the e-reader (which is called {{Wplink|sideloading}}), but have to be converted first to one of the proprietary formats the Kindle uses. Books directly purchased through Amazon come with [[DRM]] restrictions.
 
Around 2022 it was announced that there would be an option to read these files,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schroeder |first=Stan |date=3 May 2022 |title=Amazon's Kindle will finally support epub files |url=https://mashable.com/article/amazon-kindle-epub |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018065850/https://mashable.com/article/amazon-kindle-epub |archive-date=18 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2022 |website=[[Mashable]]}}</ref> which was not through native support but via their e-mail service or dedicated app for the Kindle. Both send the file to the Kindle Cloud Library, and process the file on Amazon servers to the proprietary format.
 
As for the sideloading itself, newer firmware versions of Kindle e-readers only work with {{Wplink|Media Transfer Protocol|MTP}},<ref>{{Cite web |author=Nathan |date=20 Oct 2024 |title=Amazon Removed Download and Transfer Option for New Kindles |url=https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2024/10/20/amazon-removed-download-and-transfer-option-for-new-kindles/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251014062925/https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2024/10/20/amazon-removed-download-and-transfer-option-for-new-kindles/ |archive-date=14 Oct 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Ebook Reader]]}}</ref> which led to controversy among {{Wplink|power user}}s as it disrupted existing workflow, which is to be expected. Book management software like Calibre<ref>{{Cite web |author=Kovid Goyal |date= |title=calibre - E-book management |url=https://www.calibre-ebook.com |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222054742/https://calibre-ebook.com/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2026-02-06 |website=}}</ref> addresses this issue, and can do the conversion of file formats locally. The recent firmware updates have caused other issues, like faster battery drain than before and a slower user experience.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kozlowski |first=Micheal |date=20 Aug 2024 |title=The Amazon Kindle is in a state of decline |url=https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/the-amazon-kindle-is-in-a-state-of-decline |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251219161317/https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/the-amazon-kindle-is-in-a-state-of-decline |archive-date=19 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Good EReader]]}}</ref>


===Anti-repair and anti-ownership practices===
===Anti-repair and anti-ownership practices===
Kindle devices regularly receive bad scores<ref>iFixit score is 3/10 for the Baseline model 11th gen: https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Kindle_11</ref><ref>iFixit score is 2/10 for the Paperwhite model 11th gen: https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Kindle_Paperwhite_11th_Generation</ref> in repair reviews due to excessive amounts of adhesive used and the devices being built to be discarded. Most of the components of the device, most importantly the E-Ink screen, are not available to the general market and any stock that can rarely be found of displays for the device usually approach the cost of the device itself, making repair uneconomical.
Kindle devices regularly receive bad scores in repair reviews.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Frauenheim |first=Carsten |title=Kindle 11 Repair |url=https://it.ifixit.com/Device/Kindle_11 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221125927/https://it.ifixit.com/Device/Kindle_11 |archive-date=21 Feb 2026|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[iFixit]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Kris |title=Kindle Paperwhite 5 (11th Generation) Repair |url=https://ifixit.com/Device/Kindle_Paperwhite_11th_Generation |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212013608/https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Kindle_Paperwhite_11th_Generation |archive-date=12 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[iFixit]]}}</ref> The baseline model has a replaceable battery, but provides no official replacement parts or repair instructions, and solders the power button and usb-c port to the motherboard.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">[https://www.ifixit.com/repairability/e-reader-repairability-scores e-reader repairability scores] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211041003/https://www.ifixit.com/repairability/e-reader-repairability-scores Archived])</ref> The paper-white model uses excessive amounts of adhesive for the battery and motherboard, which make it harder to replace the battery.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Most of the components of the device, most importantly the e-ink screen, are not available to the general market. Any stock for e-ink displays for these devices can rarely be found, and they usually approach the cost of the device itself, making repair uneconomical.


Kindle devices run a Linux distribution, however the bootloader is locked down and hackers have had trouble accessing debug ports on newer hardware. Amazon builds largely on proprietary software and drivers that mean even if the device was unlocked, porting a standard mainline Linux kernel to it is made difficult by inaccessibility of drivers for the integrated screen and touch IC.  
Kindle devices run a Linux distribution, however the bootloader is locked down and users have had trouble accessing debug ports on newer hardware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iftikhar |first=Hasib |date=2025-10-30 |title=Kindle Linux: Running Linux on Kindle Devices the Right Way |url=https://cyberpanel.net/blog/kindle-linux |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-21 |website=[[CyberPanel]] |quote=Every Kindle device runs on a customized Linux kernel that Amazon has built. However, it is extremely locked down and does not allow users to have access to the system-level interface.}}</ref> Adding to this, Amazon relies on proprietary software and drivers which make it difficult to port a standard mainline Linux kernel onto their devices.{{Citation needed|date=30 Nov 2025}}
 
===Download feature removed for purchased books (''2025'')===
{{Main|Amazon Kindle removes download feature of purchased books}}
[[File:Amazon removal notice of download-transfer.webp|alt=Amazon notice about removing download capability|thumb|Amazon notice about removing download capability.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date=12 Feb 2025 |title=FYI Amazon is removing Download & Transfer option on Feb 26th |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/kindle/comments/1inr9uy/fyi_amazon_is_removing_download_transfer_option/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250804001513/https://old.reddit.com/r/kindle/comments/1inr9uy/fyi_amazon_is_removing_download_transfer_option/ |archive-date=4 Aug 2025|publisher=Reddit |language=en |format=forum thread}}</ref>]]
On 26 February 2025, [[Amazon]] removed the "download and transfer via USB" feature from their website. This means [[Amazon Kindle]] users are no longer able to download their purchased e-books from Amazon's website to their computers using the "download and transfer via USB" feature. A message describing this change appeared on the page for the download feature a few weeks before the feature was removed.
 
===Support discontinued for pre-2013 devices===
{{Main|Amazon Kindle discontinues support for pre-2013 devices}}
On April 7, 2026, Amazon began emailing customers that, starting May 20, 2026, the Kindle Store would no longer support nine pre-2013 Kindle e-reader models and four Kindle Fire tablet models, ending the ability to purchase, borrow, or download new content on the affected hardware.<ref name="kindle2026-pcmag">{{Cite web |last=Kan |first=Michael |title=Got a Kindle From Before 2013? Amazon Is Pulling Support |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/got-a-kindle-from-before-2013-amazon-is-pulling-support |website=PCMag |date=April 7, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref><ref name="kindle2026-register">{{Cite web |last=Kunert |first=Paul |title=Amazon rewards loyal Kindle devotees by closing the book on old e-readers |url=https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/08/amazon_kindle_support_discontinued/ |website=The Register |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref> Amazon's email warned that any affected device deregistered or factory-reset after the cutoff cannot be re-registered and cannot be used "in any way."<ref name="kindle2026-pcmag" /><ref name="kindle2026-register" /> Amazon's only on-record justification was that the affected models had been supported "for at least 14 years, some as long as 18 years" and that "technology has come a long way," with no specific technical reason cited; the company offered affected owners a 20% discount on select new Kindle devices plus an eBook credit, valid through June 20, 2026.<ref name="kindle2026-pcmag" /><ref name="kindle2026-bgr">{{Cite web |last=Sayers |first=Jonathan |title=Amazon Is Discontinuing Support For These Older Kindle Models |url=https://www.bgr.com/2143389/amazon-discontinued-support-older-kindle-models/ |website=BGR |date=April 8, 2026 |access-date=April 8, 2026}}</ref>
 
==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}
 
==See also==
*[[Amazon alters the content of purchased ebooks]]


==References==
==References==
<references />
{{Reflist}}
 
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Products]]
[[Category:Amazon]]
[[Category:Amazon]]
[[Category:Products]]

Latest revision as of 18:28, 21 April 2026

Amazon Kindle
Basic Information
Release Year 2007
Product Type E-readers, Publishing
In Production Yes
Official Website https://amazon.com/kindle

Amazon Kindle is a product line of e-readers made by Amazon.

Consumer impact summary

[edit | edit source]

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):

  • User Freedom
  • User Privacy
  • Business Model
  • Market Control

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


Incidents

[edit | edit source]

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Amazon Kindle category.

No native support for EPUB format

[edit | edit source]

While EPUB has been the widely adopted format for digital books,[1] the Kindle e-readers do not support this format natively. That means that it is not possible to load these files directly to the e-reader (which is called sideloading), but have to be converted first to one of the proprietary formats the Kindle uses. Books directly purchased through Amazon come with DRM restrictions.

Around 2022 it was announced that there would be an option to read these files,[2] which was not through native support but via their e-mail service or dedicated app for the Kindle. Both send the file to the Kindle Cloud Library, and process the file on Amazon servers to the proprietary format.

As for the sideloading itself, newer firmware versions of Kindle e-readers only work with MTP,[3] which led to controversy among power users as it disrupted existing workflow, which is to be expected. Book management software like Calibre[4] addresses this issue, and can do the conversion of file formats locally. The recent firmware updates have caused other issues, like faster battery drain than before and a slower user experience.[5]

Anti-repair and anti-ownership practices

[edit | edit source]

Kindle devices regularly receive bad scores in repair reviews.[6][7] The baseline model has a replaceable battery, but provides no official replacement parts or repair instructions, and solders the power button and usb-c port to the motherboard.[6][8] The paper-white model uses excessive amounts of adhesive for the battery and motherboard, which make it harder to replace the battery.[7][8] Most of the components of the device, most importantly the e-ink screen, are not available to the general market. Any stock for e-ink displays for these devices can rarely be found, and they usually approach the cost of the device itself, making repair uneconomical.

Kindle devices run a Linux distribution, however the bootloader is locked down and users have had trouble accessing debug ports on newer hardware.[9] Adding to this, Amazon relies on proprietary software and drivers which make it difficult to port a standard mainline Linux kernel onto their devices.[citation needed (30 Nov 2025)]

Download feature removed for purchased books (2025)

[edit | edit source]
Main article: Amazon Kindle removes download feature of purchased books
Amazon notice about removing download capability
Amazon notice about removing download capability.[10]

On 26 February 2025, Amazon removed the "download and transfer via USB" feature from their website. This means Amazon Kindle users are no longer able to download their purchased e-books from Amazon's website to their computers using the "download and transfer via USB" feature. A message describing this change appeared on the page for the download feature a few weeks before the feature was removed.

Support discontinued for pre-2013 devices

[edit | edit source]
Main article: Amazon Kindle discontinues support for pre-2013 devices

On April 7, 2026, Amazon began emailing customers that, starting May 20, 2026, the Kindle Store would no longer support nine pre-2013 Kindle e-reader models and four Kindle Fire tablet models, ending the ability to purchase, borrow, or download new content on the affected hardware.[11][12] Amazon's email warned that any affected device deregistered or factory-reset after the cutoff cannot be re-registered and cannot be used "in any way."[11][12] Amazon's only on-record justification was that the affected models had been supported "for at least 14 years, some as long as 18 years" and that "technology has come a long way," with no specific technical reason cited; the company offered affected owners a 20% discount on select new Kindle devices plus an eBook credit, valid through June 20, 2026.[11][13]

Products

[edit | edit source]

This is a list of the company's product lines with articles on this wiki.

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


See also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ "EPUB 3.3". w3.org. Archived from the original on 28 Jan 2026. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  2. ↑ Schroeder, Stan (3 May 2022). "Amazon's Kindle will finally support epub files". Mashable. Archived from the original on 18 Oct 2025. Retrieved 16 Mar 2022.
  3. ↑ Nathan (20 Oct 2024). "Amazon Removed Download and Transfer Option for New Kindles". The Ebook Reader. Archived from the original on 14 Oct 2025. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  4. ↑ Kovid Goyal. "calibre - E-book management". Archived from the original on 22 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
  5. ↑ Kozlowski, Micheal (20 Aug 2024). "The Amazon Kindle is in a state of decline". Good EReader. Archived from the original on 19 Dec 2025. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Frauenheim, Carsten. "Kindle 11 Repair". iFixit. Archived from the original on 21 Feb 2026. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Rodriguez, Kris. "Kindle Paperwhite 5 (11th Generation) Repair". iFixit. Archived from the original on 12 Dec 2025. Retrieved 16 Mar 2025.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 e-reader repairability scores (Archived)
  9. ↑ Iftikhar, Hasib (2025-10-30). "Kindle Linux: Running Linux on Kindle Devices the Right Way". CyberPanel. Retrieved 2026-04-21. Every Kindle device runs on a customized Linux kernel that Amazon has built. However, it is extremely locked down and does not allow users to have access to the system-level interface.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ "FYI Amazon is removing Download & Transfer option on Feb 26th". Reddit. 12 Feb 2025. Archived from the original (forum thread) on 4 Aug 2025.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Kan, Michael (April 7, 2026). "Got a Kindle From Before 2013? Amazon Is Pulling Support". PCMag. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kunert, Paul (April 8, 2026). "Amazon rewards loyal Kindle devotees by closing the book on old e-readers". The Register. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
  13. ↑ Sayers, Jonathan (April 8, 2026). "Amazon Is Discontinuing Support For These Older Kindle Models". BGR. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
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