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It's interesting that Amazon so far seems to have chosen to continue to allow download via usb for purchased books. Presumably not including expensive textbooks. Assuming there are no plans to change this in the near future then Amazon has certainly stopped short ofoutright warfare. Although people have been very critical of Amazon on this thread, not without good reason, it is difficult to argue convincingly against what it has done. The development of the tools reached the point where it threatened what I suspect is an excellent revenue stream for Amazon in textbook rentals and sales. And as little as I like DRM that cannot be circumvented, the fact is that it is hardly unreasonable for Amazon to seek to prevent copying of KU and library books. I cannot predict what Amazon is going to do tommorow, let alone further in the future. But Amazon is data driven and collects plentiful information about the use of its infrastructure. Whilst I suspect that those who care about DRM are far too few to have any real impact on Amazon sales, I simply don't know. But I'd say Amazon does. And Amazon, despite having the means to block the availablity of KF8 and the functionality of old versions of K4PC, has for the time being chosen not to do so. It is at least possible that they don't hqve current plans to do so.
I don't think there is much certainty in relation to future DRM circumvention in relation to any vendor. Kobo is certainly a better choice at the moment for most tradpub. Where it does fall down is KU. Amazon has a far bigger catalog of self-oublished and Indie e-books. And at least so far drm circumvention is easy with Kobo. I have old Kindle's and have no difficulties with drm removal at the moment. When I do I will look for other options.
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