What if I don't upgrade the firmware

[jfcg]

Hello,

I've read a lot of threads regarding the latest Amazon Kindle update, but I don't know what happens if I don't update my Kindle.

I've got a Kindle Touch 3G with firmware 5.1.2 and JBPatch. JBPatch is great and 5.1.2 is the latest firmware version supported. I also have update disabled. I'm very happy with my Kindle as it is now.

What services will I lose if I don't upgrade? Can I continue buying books in the web and transfer them to the book via USB? 3G will stop working?

Regards,
jfcg

[HarryT]

The main change is that the secure communications protocols have been updated to the current TLS standard. I would imagine that, at some point in the future, connection to the Amazon bookstore from the Kindle will stop working if you're still on the old firmware. It's unlikely to affect delivery of books from Amazon to the Kindle if you buy them using the web browser on a different device, but if you use the bookstore from the Kindle itself you'd be well advised to upgrade.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by jfcg

- - - -
What services will I lose if I don't upgrade?
Can I continue buying books in the web and transfer them to the book via USB?
3G will stop working?

Regards,
jfcg

Spending money at the Amzon store with a single touch (or 'select') from your Kindle device.
(No more impulse spending.)

You'll have to use another device to spend your money with the Amazon store.
I.E: You will have a chance to stop and think before spending.

Regardless of if you call that a 'service' or a 'feature' (one click, impulse spending) you can bet that it is important to Amazon to keep it working.

{rant}

Keep in mind the business model of these electronic devices that look like an e-book reader to the user.

1) The device is a one-time source of revenue (or perhaps a one-time loss, if priced as a 'loss leader') to the vendor.
2) The device is a recurring source of revenue at the vendor's store.
3) The device also provides recurring 'market research' data to the vendor.
(That is also a big money item - what bookstore (or any kind of store) wants to stock the things that no one is interested in (buying) ? )
That would be sort of like selling ice makers to Eskimos.
Not exactly a great business plan.

Now look at the business plan of another commercial enterprise (the Duokan Project) -
1) Leave the one-time revenue with the vendor of the hardware (along with all the development and production costs - let the hardware vendor keep those things also).
2) Capture the recurring revenue stream by a lock-in to your own store rather than that of the hardware vendor.

What do you expect the response from the hardware vendor is going to be (remember to rule out any legal actions)?

Make it near impossible to 're-purpose' the hardware.

Did anyone notice the Kindle owners (and the Duokan Project) being locked out of the newest device models for 12 ... 18 months recently?

Did anyone notice that it took the Duokan Project forum less than 6 hours to adopt the new 5.6.5 jailbreak?
(Although BD and MR did get at least an honorable mention this time).

{/rant}