Amazon to Cease Support for Older Kindle Models, Sparking User Discontent
Amazon has announced it will discontinue support for older Kindle models, specifically those released in 2012 or earlier, effective from 20th May. This decision will prevent owners of devices such as the original Kindle Touch and certain Kindle Fire tablets from purchasing, borrowing, or downloading new digital content.
Customer Reaction and Amazon's Stance
The move has been met with considerable dissatisfaction from users, many of whom have expressed frustration online. Customers highlight that their devices remain fully functional and question the necessity of updates for what they describe as a 'low-tech' reading tool. One user on X noted, "I have a Kindle Touch that I've had since 2013, it works great, I bought a book on it a few months ago, and suddenly it's obsolete."
Amazon, in response, stated that these models have been supported for an extensive period—up to 18 years for some—but technology has advanced significantly. The company is offering discounts to encourage users to transition to newer devices. It confirmed that previously downloaded e-books will remain accessible, and accounts can still be managed via its mobile and desktop applications. However, performing a factory reset on affected Kindles will render them unusable.
Environmental and Practical Concerns
Kay Aaronricks, a 46-year-old Kindle user, shared her surprise and sadness at the prospect of her 14-year-old device losing full functionality, emphasising the practical role her Kindle plays in her life. She also raised concerns about the presence of advertisements on newer models, which could detract from the immersive reading experience.
Tech industry analyst Paolo Pescatore acknowledged that while the decision is frustrating for users, it is "understandable from a security and support perspective." He explained that older hardware struggles to accommodate contemporary, data-intensive services. Conversely, Ugo Vallauri, co-director of the Restart Project, criticised the move as "hardly a good reason for soft-bricking millions of still functioning devices," estimating that up to two million devices could be rendered obsolete, potentially generating over 624 tonnes of e-waste.
