Amazon has announced it will soon end support for older Kindle models, a decision that has sparked frustration among long-time users.
In emails sent to customers, the company thanked them for their loyalty but said devices released in or before 2012 would stop receiving updates from May 20. As a result, affected users will no longer be able to purchase, borrow or download new e-books directly to those devices.
The move impacts early models such as the Kindle Touch and several Kindle Fire tablets. While users will still be able to access previously downloaded books and their digital libraries through apps, the devices themselves will become far more limited.
Amazon said the models had been supported for at least 14 years — some for nearly two decades — and noted that customers have been offered discounts to upgrade. Still, the decision has drawn criticism from users who say functioning devices are being rendered obsolete.
One user wrote online that their Kindle, which had worked perfectly and was used to buy books just months ago, was now “suddenly obsolete.” Others questioned the need for ongoing updates for what they described as a simple, text-based device.
“A Kindle is a text device,” another user wrote. “There is no need for updates.”
In a statement, Amazon said the change reflects advances in technology and the limitations of older hardware. “These devices were built for a different era and are not equipped to support newer services and features,” the company said.
The list of affected devices includes multiple early-generation Kindles released between 2007 and 2012, as well as first- and second-generation Kindle Fire tablets.
Users were also warned that performing a factory reset on these devices after support ends could render them unusable.
For some, the announcement has struck a personal chord. Long-time users say the devices have become integral to their daily lives, offering a convenient way to carry entire libraries while travelling or working.
Others raised concerns about newer devices, including the presence of advertisements on discounted models and how that might affect the reading experience.
Industry analysts say the move is not unusual. As software evolves, older devices often struggle to keep up with new demands, and maintaining support can become increasingly difficult.
However, critics argue the decision highlights a broader issue in the tech industry — the growing cycle of device replacement. Campaigners warn that ending support for still-functioning products risks contributing to rising electronic waste.
Some estimates suggest the change could affect up to two million devices, potentially adding hundreds of tonnes of e-waste, even as many of those devices remain usable for basic reading.
For now, affected Kindle owners can continue using their devices offline. But without access to new content, what was once a seamless reading tool may soon become a static one — a reminder of how quickly even simple technology can age.
Source: BBC
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
