Purchase Rec for New Kindle e-reader post dropped support for older devices

[m_pluto]

A lot of authors I love are only available on amazon because they are locked in via KU. I hate kindle e-readers, kobos are much better IMO ( I had an Oasis 2 for a while, hated the software, and went back to only using my kobo). I've been keeping/using a K3 keyboard to download/transfer books to be able to read them on my kobo, and that is no longer a viable option for me.

Can anyone recommend what kindle I should get to replace my K3? I've been hesitant on picking a gen 6 as that will be up next on the chopping block for support, and who knows how long that will be. But I'm worried about getting something too new due to cost and I'm unsure if backups of purchased books can still be made to calibre? Getting a brand new/current gen kindle feels like a waste of money (they're $145 CAD new) when I will only be using it to download/transfer books to my kobo, so I would love any advice/help!

Thanks in advance for any help/recommendations!

[pdurrant]

There's no guarantee that any Kindle will allow you to remove DRM from Amazon books in the future. For those Kindles that Amazon will still support after 20th May they seem to be introducing a new DRM that can't (currently) be removed.

For general info on the state of play of Amazon DRM see: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=351285

For specific info on what DRM removal schemes currently work see: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=361503

[JSWolf]

The only thing you can really do is get a Kindle that isn't going to be blocked from downloading and use that to read the authors you like that aren't available elsewhere and use your Kobo for authors that are available elsewhere.

And don't start on any other authors who don't publish outside of Amazon.

[Josieb1]

Personally I’d wait until Prime Day and buy the cheapest current kindle available and just stick with KU. Don’t buy books unless they are free and don’t worry about backing up your purchases. That’s my plan anyway, not that I am buying a new kindle as I have quite a few already.

[m_pluto]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

There's no guarantee that any Kindle will allow you to remove DRM from Amazon books in the future. For those Kindles that Amazon will still support after 20th May they seem to be introducing a new DRM that can't (currently) be removed.

For general info on the state of play of Amazon DRM see: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=351285

For specific info on what DRM removal schemes currently work see: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=361503

The method I've been using is to download to a kindle ereader, plug into computer, import to calibre, and use the newer DeDRM plugin. I've heard or seen some things suggesting that readers in the future may not allow backups to computer in the future, but from the links I'm reading with 11th gen & newer books that is no longer the case? So it looks like I should get something better a 6-9th gen from what you're saying though?

Originally Posted by Josieb1

Personally I’d wait until Prime Day and buy the cheapest current kindle available and just stick with KU. Don’t buy books unless they are free and don’t worry about backing up your purchases. That’s my plan anyway, not that I am buying a new kindle as I have quite a few already.

I prefer not to use KU for reading and purchase my books instead because I won't be reading them on a kindle ereader and thus the author won't make any money from my downloads. I only have a kindle for download and transfer to calibre to then move them over to my kobo ereader via using DeDRM plugin & converting to kepub/epub. I had a kindle Oasis 2 briefly and the UI/software compared to my Forma was just horrendous IMO.

[John F]

Originally Posted by m_pluto

The method I've been using is to download to a kindle ereader, plug into computer, import to calibre, and use the newer DeDRM plugin. I've heard or seen some things suggesting that readers in the future may not allow backups to computer in the future, but from the links I'm reading with 11th gen & newer books that is no longer the case? So it looks like I should get something better a 6-9th gen from what you're saying though?



I prefer not to use KU for reading and purchase my books instead because I won't be reading them on a kindle ereader and thus the author won't make any money from my downloads. I only have a kindle for download and transfer to calibre to then move them over to my kobo ereader via using DeDRM plugin & converting to kepub/epub. I had a kindle Oasis 2 briefly and the UI/software compared to my Forma was just horrendous IMO.

As an alternative, if you are using a PC, try looking into using a PC to strip DRM.

[texasnightowl]

Originally Posted by m_pluto

So it looks like I should get something better a 6-9th gen from what you're saying though?

except that 6th gen, 7th gen, 8th gen, and 9th gen mostly have the firmwares (5.12.x and 5.16.x) that are getting infected with new drm via a diagnostics exploit. It's actually 10th gens that are still working for now...but no guarantees Amazon won't do something to them too. Also I think the Voyage is still working? But I don't have one to test. And Amazon could do something to mess with those at any time.

In short, don't count on being able to remove DRM on any of them.

I have seen some posts that if you buy a new device from amazon you can manage to get one that is on old firmware if you buy it as a gift instead of letting them register it to your account. There are people who have done this and before even turning it on, they fill the space so it can't download an update and jailbreak it. But again, not something I have done and verified. Just reports I have seen. And again...how long until Amazon manages to lock them down like with older devices?

[JSWolf]

I don't recommend buying any Kindle given how Amazon treats customers.

[cgsmom]

I have been using my Oasis 3 to transfer my Kindle books into Calibre. As of this morning, that no longer works. I have a Colorsoft SE, but that doesn’t work either. I don’t have any other way to get “custody” of my Kindle books at this time. I guess I won’t be buying any Kindle books unless a new method is developed.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't recommend buying any Kindle given how Amazon treats customers.

And I wouldn’t recommend buying a Kindle to someone who doesn’t like Kindles. But if it would be useful for any of their purposes, perhaps a member of this forum who’s fed up with Kindle and Amazon might be kind enough to give them one. That would be a win-win situation. Just a suggestion.

[m_pluto]

Originally Posted by cellaris

And I wouldn’t recommend buying a Kindle to someone who doesn’t like Kindles. But if it would be useful for any of their purposes, perhaps a member of this forum who’s fed up with Kindle and Amazon might be kind enough to give them one. That would be a win-win situation. Just a suggestion.

I'm looking on ebay/FB marketplace for something cheap/used. But if there is anyone who lives in Canada & is looking to get rid of their kindle ereader, feel free to hit me up!

[shalym]

Originally Posted by cgsmom

I have been using my Oasis 3 to transfer my Kindle books into Calibre. As of this morning, that no longer works. I have a Colorsoft SE, but that doesn’t work either. I don’t have any other way to get “custody” of my Kindle books at this time. I guess I won’t be buying any Kindle books unless a new method is developed.

Interesting...what book did you try that didn't work this morning on your Oasis3? I was just able to download a book to my Oasis 3 and send it to Calibre with success.

Shari

[slm]

Bear in mind that any Android or Apple device will let you read any Amazon book on the dedicated Kindle app.

[texasnightowl]

Originally Posted by cgsmom

I have been using my Oasis 3 to transfer my Kindle books into Calibre. As of this morning, that no longer works.

Originally Posted by shalym

Interesting...what book did you try that didn't work this morning on your Oasis3? I was just able to download a book to my Oasis 3 and send it to Calibre with success.

I just freshly downloaded 4 books to my Oasis 3 also and worked fine. As far as I know they would have had drm on them but I didn't do a log file or anything to check.

[cgsmom]

Originally Posted by shalym

Interesting...what book did you try that didn't work this morning on your Oasis3? I was just able to download a book to my Oasis 3 and send it to Calibre with success.

Shari

That is interesting. When I connected the Oasis and selected show books on device, nothing came up.

Edit: I just tried it again and it worked fine. I must have done something wrong this morning. Since I have been reading about the DRM changes, I just assumed it was that. Thanks.