Amazon and DRM changes - Page 107

ZodWallop · 02-26-2023, 10:49 PM

Huh. I just recently got my hands on a Paperwhite 3 (trying to find a proper cover for an old Paperwhite is a chore). I'm still moving my purchases to Kobo*, but I tested the download and transfer via USB and that works. At least I can use it for Kindle exclusives.

*It has been nice seeing that sold without DRM message and knowing it actually means something. That I can download a DRM-free ePub from Kobo. And the ascm (acsm?) plug-in in Calibre is great.

ownedbycats · 02-26-2023, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

*It has been nice seeing that sold without DRM message and knowing it actually means something. That I can download a DRM-free ePub from Kobo. And the ascm (acsm?) plug-in in Calibre is great.

ACSM. Adobe Content Server Message, I believe.

jhlovestoread · 02-27-2023, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Huh. I just recently got my hands on a Paperwhite 3 (trying to find a proper cover for an old Paperwhite is a chore). I'm still moving my purchases to Kobo*, but I tested the download and transfer via USB and that works. At least I can use it for Kindle exclusives.

*It has been nice seeing that sold without DRM message and knowing it actually means something. That I can download a DRM-free ePub from Kobo. And the ascm (acsm?) plug-in in Calibre is great.

Is your Paperwhite 3 downloading files in KF8 format? I'm just curious because mine doesn't and I will need to downgrade the firmware of mine in order to do that. It's downloading files in KFX and right now I just don't have the energy to get into doing the downgrade.

Kindleing · 02-27-2023, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhlovestoread

Is your Paperwhite 3 downloading files in KF8 format? I'm just curious because mine doesn't and I will need to downgrade the firmware of mine in order to do that. It's downloading files in KFX and right now I just don't have the energy to get into doing the downgrade.

You can still download KF8 (AZW3) files using Download & Transfer via USB from the Amazon website:

From the Amazon US website:
Accounts & Lists / Content & Devices / Books / More Actions (for desired book) / Download & transfer via USB / Select Target Kindle / Save file

The downloaded file can be dropped into Calibre like always. But, this only works for books you have purchased, not loaned books like Kindle Unlimited. Download & Transfer capability has been removed from loaned books.

JSWolf · 02-27-2023, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Huh. I just recently got my hands on a Paperwhite 3 (trying to find a proper cover for an old Paperwhite is a chore). I'm still moving my purchases to Kobo*, but I tested the download and transfer via USB and that works. At least I can use it for Kindle exclusives.

*It has been nice seeing that sold without DRM message and knowing it actually means something. That I can download a DRM-free ePub from Kobo. And the ascm (acsm?) plug-in in Calibre is great.

If an eBook is sold without DRM, you'll get a KF8 version that has no DRM. KFX is where Amazon cheats their customers by using DRM regardless of the publisher's wishes.

JSWolf · 02-27-2023, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhlovestoread

Is your Paperwhite 3 downloading files in KF8 format? I'm just curious because mine doesn't and I will need to downgrade the firmware of mine in order to do that. It's downloading files in KFX and right now I just don't have the energy to get into doing the downgrade.

You can download purchased eBooks form Amazon using Download & transfer to USB in KF8. You cannot use this method with KU/Prime eBooks. For that, you can use an older version of KindleforPC or KindleforMAC as long as the KU/Prime eBooks were not published January 3, 2023 or later.

Plus, if you have a PW3 that has an older (non-KFX) firmware, it's possible that Amazon may force a firmware update in order to be able to sync eBooks.

stumped · 02-27-2023, 09:26 AM

Amazon were selling , for free recently , a nice new kindle copy of Orwell's 1984.

so i bought that, only to find that i will need the new hardened DRM to open it. it refused to download to my trusty k for PC 1/17

I'm sure there's a clever joke in there about big brother and censorship . - truth is lies, ( free is not DRM free )
and not even free now, price has gone back to £2.99

1984 (Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell)[Kindle Edition]
By: George Orwell
Sold by: Amazon EU S.à.r.l.
Qty: 1

£0.00

vermontcathy · 02-27-2023, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And if the KK3 is not registered, it never will be as you need WiFi to register.

Kindle Keyboard (K3) does have wi-fi. I've recently registered one that I bought used (my mom loves the K3 because she plays games, so I keep a spare available for when she destroys hers). K1 and K2 are out of luck though - they don't have wi-fi and so you can't register them.

ZodWallop · 02-27-2023, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhlovestoread

Is your Paperwhite 3 downloading files in KF8 format? I'm just curious because mine doesn't and I will need to downgrade the firmware of mine in order to do that. It's downloading files in KFX and right now I just don't have the energy to get into doing the downgrade.

To be honest, I just unexpectedly got the Kindle and haven't checked to see what files it downloads. I would expect that it is KFX.

The Download and Transfer everyone is talking about is done on the Amazon website, not on the Kindle itself. Go to Your Account/Content & Devices/Books. You should see a list of your books on the left and on the right, three buttons. Choose More Actions and then Download and Transfer via USB. A popup will open asking with device you want to download for. Mine shows a Fire and the Paperwhite.

As a device, so far the Paperwhite hasn't impressed me much. I prefer the UI and reading experience of my old Nook Glowlight Plus, which is also a much nicer piece of hardware. But I've only had the Kindle a couple of days and haven't read much on it yet.

JSWolf · 02-27-2023, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermontcathy

Kindle Keyboard (K3) does have wi-fi. I've recently registered one that I bought used (my mom loves the K3 because she plays games, so I keep a spare available for when she destroys hers). K1 and K2 are out of luck though - they don't have wi-fi and so you can't register them.

@NNolan said that the WiFi on his KK3 does not work.

ZodWallop · 02-27-2023, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If an eBook is sold without DRM, you'll get a KF8 version that has no DRM. KFX is where Amazon cheats their customers by using DRM regardless of the publisher's wishes.

I guess. But since moving my purchases from Amazon to Kobo I have liked the experience more. The vast bulk of books I buy will have been published before January 2023, so I could stick with K4PC until they turn it off. But I've switched to Kobo and am planning on staying there.

JSWolf · 02-27-2023, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

To be honest, I just unexpectedly got the Kindle and haven't checked to see what files it downloads. I would expect that it is KFX.

The Download and Transfer everyone is talking about is done on the Amazon website, not on the Kindle itself. Go to Your Account/Content & Devices/Books. You should see a list of your books on the left and on the right, three buttons. Choose More Actions and then Download and Transfer via USB. A popup will open asking with device you want to download for. Mine shows a Fire and the Paperwhite.

As a device, so far the Paperwhite hasn't impressed me much. I prefer the UI and reading experience of my old Nook Glowlight Plus, which is also a much nicer piece of hardware. But I've only had the Kindle a couple of days and haven't read much on it yet.

The UI of the Kindle is pretty poor.

JSWolf · 02-27-2023, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I guess. But since moving my purchases from Amazon to Kobo I have liked the experience more. The vast bulk of books I buy will have been published before January 2023, so I could stick with K4PC until they turn it off. But I've switched to Kobo and am planning on staying there.

One big advantage you get from ePub is you do not get the shenanigans Amazon is doing with eBooks that are supposed to have hi-res graphics. You get the graphics the way the publisher intended.

ZodWallop · 02-27-2023, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The UI of the Kindle is pretty poor.

I have left WiFi on, haven't sideloaded anything. Yet my current book (The Little Sister by Raymond Chandler) is missing its cover. Instead it shows me the generic Vintage title page.

On the upside, no lock-screen ads. Not sure why I don't have them, but I'll take it.

ZodWallop · 02-27-2023, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

One big advantage you get from ePub is you do not get the shenanigans Amazon is doing with eBooks that are supposed to have hi-res graphics. You get the graphics the way the publisher intended.

Also, it's nice not having to convert from azw to ePub.

02-27-2023, 09:26 AM	#1597
stumped Wizard Posts: 3,305 Karma: 10259306 Join Date: May 2016 Device: kobo forma, Kobo Libra, Huawei media Tab, fire HD10, PW3 HDX8.9,	Amazon were selling , for free recently , a nice new kindle copy of Orwell's 1984. so i bought that, only to find that i will need the new hardened DRM to open it. it refused to download to my trusty k for PC 1/17 I'm sure there's a clever joke in there about big brother and censorship . - truth is lies, ( free is not DRM free ) and not even free now, price has gone back to £2.99 1984 (Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell)[Kindle Edition] By: George Orwell Sold by: Amazon EU S.à.r.l. Qty: 1 £0.00 Last edited by stumped; 02-27-2023 at 09:29 AM.

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02-26-2023, 10:49 PM	#1591
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,480 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	Huh. I just recently got my hands on a Paperwhite 3 (trying to find a proper cover for an old Paperwhite is a chore). I'm still moving my purchases to Kobo, but I tested the download and transfer via USB and that works. At least I can use it for Kindle exclusives. It has been nice seeing that sold without DRM message and knowing it actually means something. That I can download a DRM-free ePub from Kobo. And the ascm (acsm?) plug-in in Calibre is great.