Dealing with Kindle for PC/Mac 1.19 and KFX in calibre

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by Terraform

I was able to download the azw4 "package" file using 1.19 however I think my major issue is that the book I wanted to convert is Amazon Unlimited so a "lent" book and not a purchased book... I didn't really know the difference when I started this process.

That's only an issue for "download & transfer" from the website for an E-ink Kindle. Nothing to do with downloading with the apps. Be aware that removing DRM (or otherwise not allowing Amazon to see how much you read) from a borrowed KU book prevents the author from getting paid.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by odamizu

Do you still have the source/link where you read this? What does this mean for Mac users with older Macs that can't run iOS apps?

I'm actually a little surprised the Kindle for PC/Mac apps are still available. Barnes & Noble abandoned Macs and older PCs years ago. Amazon kindof did the opposite and pulled their Kindle app from the Microsoft store while continuing to provide Windows and Mac "desktop" programs.

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by jhowell

I came across a notice that the Kindle for Mac app is being discontinued, possibly at the end of this month. It is being replaced by the Kindle for iOS app which can apparently run on newer Macs.

The more I think about this, the more I'm wondering if this simply means the Kindle for Mac app that can be downloaded from the Amazon website is being discontinued and the only Kindle app available for Macs will be the version available from the Apple App Store — which has been available all along for years and runs on Mojave or newer. Newer Macs may be offered a different version than older Macs.

At least I hope this is what it means. For Mac users to have to purchase a new M1/M2 Mac in order to read Kindle books on their Mac seems extreme given the first M1 Mac was released in Nov 2020.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

That's only an issue for "download & transfer" from the website for an E-ink Kindle. Nothing to do with downloading with the apps. Be aware that removing DRM (or otherwise not allowing Amazon to see how much you read) from a borrowed KU book prevents the author from getting paid.

Actually, that's not known if you read the DRM free KU eBook on a Kindle registered to the KU account.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

I'm actually a little surprised the Kindle for PC/Mac apps are still available. Barnes & Noble abandoned Macs and older PCs years ago. Amazon kindof did the opposite and pulled their Kindle app from the Microsoft store while continuing to provide Windows and Mac "desktop" programs.

That's wrong. There is a nook app in the Microsoft store for downloading to the computer.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by odamizu

The more I think about this, the more I'm wondering if this simply means the Kindle for Mac app that can be downloaded from the Amazon website is being discontinued and the only Kindle app available for Macs will be the version available from the Apple App Store — which has been available all along for years and runs on Mojave or newer. Newer Macs may be offered a different version than older Macs.

At least I hope this is what it means. For Mac users to have to purchase a new M1/M2 Mac in order to read Kindle books on their Mac seems extreme given the first M1 Mac was released in Nov 2020.

You are probably right. The message is:

Support for this app is ending on March 31, 2023

Get the new Kindle for Mac from the App Store to read with the latest Kindle features, explore millions of Kindle books, and receive regular updates.

What confuses me is that it has a link to this app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amazon-kindle/id302584613 and that appears to be the iOS app as far as I can tell.

And support ending may just mean that there will be no further updates, not that the current version will stop working.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Actually, that's not known if you read the DRM free KU eBook on a Kindle registered to the KU account.

Yes, I wrote that before DuckieTigger's investigations. But many people remove DRM in order to read in something other than Kindles.

eta: also why I mentioned not allowing Amazon to see how much you read. That's the key.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That's wrong. There is a nook app in the Microsoft store for downloading to the computer.

Exactly as I said, B&N abandoned older PCs and Macs by disabling their desktop programs. While Amazon kept their desktop programs and pulled their Microsoft store app.

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by jhowell

... What confuses me is that it has a link to this app https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amazon-kindle/id302584613 and that appears to be the iOS app as far as I can tell ...

Hmmmm ... that does indeed appear to be the iOS app.

Right now if I go to the App Store on my Mac, it offers "Kindle" app 1.40, which I believe is the same as the version you can download directly from the Amazon website with minor differences (i.e., you update through the App Store instead of through the app — and the App Store never forces updates, it simply alerts you that an update is available).

I'll keep an eye on my K4Mac (which has the Amazon download version of 1.40) and check the App Store at the end of the month to see if a new version is offered.

[Abrasrose]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

Back before streaming and pretty much everything being available on demand. I still can record it, but why bother. Don't understand the correlation you're trying to draw there.

Amazon controlling how you get ebooks and long you can keep them reminded me of back in the day when we recorded things on TV and could lend them to a friend. It would be similar to inviting friends over to watch the movie. Maybe that's considered bad now? How about lending books? Playing music for your friends instead of asking them to buy it for themselves? It's getting confusing.

I was referring to the increase in control over product life and usage. I liked lending stuff out to friends. That's why I bother. What are you recording shows on? Can you lend them to people? How?

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by Abrasrose

Amazon controlling how you get ebooks and long you can keep them reminded me of back in the day when we recorded things on TV and could lend them to a friend. It would be similar to inviting friends over to watch the movie. Maybe that's considered bad now? How about lending books? Playing music for your friends instead of asking them to buy it for themselves? It's getting confusing.

I was referring to the increase in control over product life and usage. I liked lending stuff out to friends. That's why I bother. What are you recording shows on? Can you lend them to people? How?

Ah, there's the context I was missing. I don't think of recorded tv as something to keep. I delete it when I've watched it. Even back in VCR days, I would record over something I was done watching. If someone had missed recording something and I hadn't yet taped over mine, I'd lend it. But nowadays you often have streaming and then dvd/blu ray. I guess the closest equivalent to lending tapes these days is sharing a Netflix password. Which, of course, they are cracking down on.

[Jacques Q.]

Hello.
I have a vague recollection that there was an at least slight reason why I chose to install Kindle for PC 1.17 (+ the thingy to remove KFX) and not 1.19 (although I do have that version ready too), but I do notice this thread is all about version 1.19.
Does someone know whether something was lost or deleted between 1.17 and 1.19 that could somehow be an issue? Or maybe between "builds" 1 and 3 of version 1.19, that are both available?
Thanks in advance to those who have a better memory than me !

[lkmiller]

Kindle for PC 1.19 was the first one to handle KFX format. With 1.17, you don't have to do anything to prevent KFX downloads. 1.19 was also when books started getting put in seperate folders.

[jhowell]

The original purpose of this thread was to document methods of either avoiding or converting KFX format which was a new thing needed when Kindle for PC version 1.19 was released.

Since then it has morphed into a more general list of ways to obtain Kindle books for import into calibre. Perhaps a new thread or a new title would be better going forward.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by jhowell

. . .
Perhaps a new thread or a new title would be better going forward.

Post the title you'd prefer for the thread and I'll change it.

BR