Amazon and DRM changes

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by issybird

I believe that the first and second gen Kindles only had 2G access and no WiFi connectivity. So once the 2G access was ended, the devices could no longer direct download books at all. But IMO, the owners of those devices were generously compensated; some even got totally free Kindles IIRC. Devices do obsolete, after all, and I don't think they were owed that.

The later non-touch Kindles can no longer access the store, but can still connect to WiFi and download books purchased on other devices.

Ah, I forgot 2G was even a thing! That must be what I was (mis)remembering.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It could be for all due to the stylus and Amazon using KFX for markup.

I want to say you need to download directly to use the stylus notes feature in a book. And that download & transfer is still KF8 if available. But I don't have a Scribe. (I have an Elipsa so I'm not even tempted.)

[DiapDealer]

I have no need to do any DRMing myself, but in the spirit of information sharing:

I have a registered K2US, and a newer Paperwhite. I am able to Download & transfer via USB any of my purchased books to either of those devices (note that I don't see any of the D&T options for any of my books when browsing my Amazon library with a mobile version of Chrome). But imagine my surprise to see a 3rd option to D&T for my 10th gen Fire HD 8! I've not tried to see if this could actually be transferred to my Fire (and be readable), but it does let me download an azw3. Is this expected behavior?

I'm guessing that Download & Transfer for Fire devices is not being mentioned mainly because there's no current way to remove the DRM?

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

Yeah, I would think a large amount of occassional ebook buyers reading on phones/tablets would add up to more ebooks overall than the small amount of ereader users who buy more ebooks individually.

I suspect something like this is why the older Kindle for Android hasn't been cut off yet. Would need to look into the different compatibilities of the versions though.

[Daveoc64]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I think that is for buying books on device and that OTA downloads still work for wifi capable devices and also for 3G where 3G hasn't been shut down yet.

Originally Posted by issybird

I believe that the first and second gen Kindles only had 2G access and no WiFi connectivity. So once the 2G access was ended, the devices could no longer direct download books at all. But IMO, the owners of those devices were generously compensated; some even got totally free Kindles IIRC. Devices do obsolete, after all, and I don't think they were owed that.

The later non-touch Kindles can no longer access the store, but can still connect to WiFi and download books purchased on other devices.

Originally Posted by lkmiller

Ah, I forgot 2G was even a thing! That must be what I was (mis)remembering.

Originally Posted by lkmiller

Yes, I believe you're right. That they shut off the free 3G or whatever it was.

Something people may find interesting.

I live in the UK (which is not scheduled to switch off 2G and 3G connectivity in full for many years yet), and have the following Kindle devices with cellular connectivity:

• Kindle 2 International (with AT&T SIM)
• Kindle DX Graphite International (with AT&T SIM)
• Kindle Keyboard (with Vodafone Netherlands SIM)

All of these devices still connect OK to the cellular network - I checked a few days ago. All three are able to download books.

The international devices have an AT&T SIM in them, and can roam onto most of the UK networks - this provides both 2G and 3G connectivity.

The Kindle Keyboard was sold specifically for the European market, and has a European SIM. This only roams on the Vodafone UK network, and the older Kindles (pre 10th gen) only support Vodafone UK's 2G frequencies (not 3G).

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm guessing that Download & Transfer for Fire devices is not being mentioned mainly because there's no current way to remove the DRM?

Yes, obtaining the key needed to remove DRM from books downloaded to a Fire tablet is not currently supported by the DeDRM plugin. That doesn’t mean it is impossible. Fire tablets use a variant of the Kindle for Android app and means of exploiting that app for DRM removal have recently become popular again.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by jhowell

Yes, obtaining the key needed to remove DRM from books downloaded to a Fire tablet is not currently supported by the DeDRM plugin. That doesn’t mean it is impossible. Fire tablets use a variant of the Kindle for Android app and means of exploiting that app for DRM removal have recently become popular again.

Makes sense. Thanks. I'm mainly surprised they're even offering a Download & Transfer option for Fire devices. I wouldn't think it would be a very convenient or popular practice.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Didn't they cut off the oldest Kindles a little while back?

If 2G went bye-bye in your area, there went the connectivity. Same for 3G.

[Patitapetit]

Originally Posted by jhowell

Yes, obtaining the key needed to remove DRM from books downloaded to a Fire tablet is not currently supported by the DeDRM plugin. That doesn’t mean it is impossible. Fire tablets use a variant of the Kindle for Android app and means of exploiting that app for DRM removal have recently become popular again.

How obtainig the Kindle Key in Fire Tablets?
And how dedrm the books?

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by Patitapetit

How obtainig the Kindle Key in Fire Tablets?
And how dedrm the books?

Unknown for now. More investigation is needed.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Daveoc64

Something people may find interesting.

I live in the UK (which is not scheduled to switch off 2G and 3G connectivity in full for many years yet), and have the following Kindle devices with cellular connectivity:

• Kindle 2 International (with AT&T SIM)
• Kindle DX Graphite International (with AT&T SIM)
• Kindle Keyboard (with Vodafone Netherlands SIM)

All of these devices still connect OK to the cellular network - I checked a few days ago. All three are able to download books.

The international devices have an AT&T SIM in them, and can roam onto most of the UK networks - this provides both 2G and 3G connectivity.

The Kindle Keyboard was sold specifically for the European market, and has a European SIM. This only roams on the Vodafone UK network, and the older Kindles (pre 10th gen) only support Vodafone UK's 2G frequencies (not 3G).

Europe 2G is only GSM. GSM was very rare in USA which used an incompatible inferior 2G. Most Europe GSM will outlive 3G. The GSM had originally only 14.4k or 28.8k modem emulation data but later added EDGE, which is a similar speed to basic 3G, but more reliable. The DXG international mostly gets EDGE here, though there is still 3G. The GSM 2G is used by "smart meters", SCADA and/or traffic lights in various countries and isn't likely to get turned off in next 10 years.

The Vodafone UK SIM might work on GSM in other European countries with Vodafone, such as Ireland.

[dublincheri]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

A PW1 is also useless even though it doesn't download KFX. It download KF8 and splits it into pieces.

I have a PW1 and can go to the device icon in Calibre and add a book from there to the library. It is missing any images so not terribly useful for an image-heavy book.

[Catlady]

I'm kind of lost here and not having any luck searching the thread (I did read the first 15 pages before giving up!). I have an unregistered Paperwhite, 7th gen, I think. I discovered today that several 2023 Kindle books won't download to my old version of Kindle for PC, and of course if I upgrade I get the KFX format and can't convert. If I register the PW, will I be able to get those books in the azw format and into Calibre? Thanks.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm kind of lost here and not having any luck searching the thread (I did read the first 15 pages before giving up!). I have an unregistered Paperwhite, 7th gen, I think. I discovered today that several 2023 Kindle books won't download to my old version of Kindle for PC, and of course if I upgrade I get the KFX format and can't convert. If I register the PW, will I be able to get those books in the azw format and into Calibre? Thanks.

If they are purchased books, you should be able to download & transfer via USB. If they are Kindle Unlimited, Amazon Prime & (I think) First Reads (in other words, loans), they will not be available for D&T.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by DNSB

If they are purchased books, you should be able to download & transfer via USB.

It asks for which device - an unregistered one is not displayed for marking.
However, it will be displayed once registered