Dealing with Kindle ebooks in calibre

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by odamizu

Well, I guess it was inevitable Thanks for confirming.

My Kindles don't receive software updates anymore, so I haven't kept up with the latest. Is there a way for people with newer Kindles to block auto updates?

There is a way as long as the server(s) used for firmware updates are not the same as the server(s) used for downloading eBooks. You could block access to the server(s) that supply the firmware updates.

The hardest part is finding the server(s) to block.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by odamizu

Is there a way for people with newer Kindles to block auto updates?

For a non-jailbroken device the only workable method that I am aware of is to fill the storage of the device to the point where there is not enough space remaining to download a firmware update, about 300MB.

But even that is not a guaranteed solution. Amazon has been working on the ability to perform incremental firmware updates, downloading only the files changed since the last release. Those would be too small to be blockable while leaving enough room for the device to function properly.

[texasnightowl]

Originally Posted by jhowell

For a non-jailbroken device the only workable method that I am aware of is to fill the storage of the device to the point where there is not enough space remaining to download a firmware update, about 300MB.

But even that is not a guaranteed solution. Amazon has been working on the ability to perform incremental firmware updates, downloading only the files changed since the last release. Those would be too small to be blockable while leaving enough room for the device to function properly.

I was wondering about this. My 11th gen PW is still on 5.18.4 and airplane mode and is not jailbroken. But it's due to have wifi turned back on soon for some KU books I'm ready to swap out.

On the other hand, I still have a K5NT and an Oasis 3 (which so far only goes up to 5.18.2) so I have options.

[odamizu]

Thank you @jhowell. Things are certainly looking bleaker and bleaker for Kindle. I will update the first post.

Originally Posted by jhowell

For a non-jailbroken device the only workable method that I am aware of is to fill the storage of the device to the point where there is not enough space remaining to download a firmware update, about 300MB.

But even that is not a guaranteed solution. Amazon has been working on the ability to perform incremental firmware updates, downloading only the files changed since the last release. Those would be too small to be blockable while leaving enough room for the device to function properly.

[greenskye]

So does a jail broken Kindle allow you to strip the drm given this latest development? Or is it just a way to prevent getting firmware updates? I'm not really clear on how jailbreaking helps dedrm newly published books.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by greenskye

So does a jail broken Kindle allow you to strip the drm given this latest development?

No. At the moment, you're okay with older non-updating Kindles. 9th gen and older are past their support period. 10th gen is suppose to receive security updates through 2026, but hasn't received any of the latest updates since early this year. Obviously, any Kindle that is still in communication with the mothership could receive some sort of change.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by greenskye

I'm not really clear on how jailbreaking helps dedrm newly published books.

The new DRM being applied to Kindles running the latest 5.18.5 firmware has nothing to do with when a book was published. If it is active then all books on that Kindle will be securely locked down with the exception of the small subset of books where the publisher has chosen to not have strong DRM.

Originally Posted by greenskye

Or is it just a way to prevent getting firmware updates?

While a jailbreak can be used to avoid further updates that is not the point here.

Originally Posted by greenskye

So does a jail broken Kindle allow you to strip the drm given this latest development?

The new DRM relies on a secret stored in hidden file that is not accessible to the user. A jailbreak allows access to that file.

However having that file is not enough. New DRM removal software is also needed to make use of it. That is up to others to accomplish.

One piece of good news is that a new jailbreak method has been published that is claimed to work with even the latest 5.18.5 firmware.

[vermontcathy]

UPDATE - Nevermind - the book I was able to remove the DRM for had been downloaded to my Colorsoft before I updated it to 5.18.5. I tried it with a newly downloaded book and it doesn't work.

There is an update to Calibre today (8.11.1) and I was able to remove DRM

[arnel]

Originally Posted by vermontcathy

UPDATE - Nevermind - the book I was able to remove the DRM for had been downloaded to my Colorsoft before I updated it to 5.18.5. I tried it with a newly downloaded book and it doesn't work.

There is an update to Calibre today (8.11.1) and I was able to remove DRM

how? I've already updated but it's not working.

[Amalthia]

I think this latest update to the Amazon DRM is the straw that broke this camel's back. I'm tired of trying to find a work-around to add my legally purchased ebooks to Calibre so I can convert the file to epub to read on my Pocketbook reader.

I've decided to no longer purchase ebooks from Amazon. Too bad for those that aren't selling at Kobo, or have their ebooks available at their public library.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by Amalthia

I think this latest update to the Amazon DRM is the straw that broke this camel's back. I'm tired of trying to find a work-around to add my legally purchased ebooks to Calibre so I can convert the file to epub to read on my Pocketbook reader.

I've decided to no longer purchase ebooks from Amazon. Too bad for those that aren't selling at Kobo, or have their ebooks available at their public library.

Yes, I decided years ago that when I could no longer get kf8 format that I would be done with Kindle books. Hasn't quite happened yet since I still have a working Kindle Touch. But I've always bought most of my books elsewhere -- first BN and now Kobo. (If a book is available at the library, at least the library has already bought it. Still too bad for Amazon exclusives. Although many people don't care about liberating their purchased ebooks.)

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

No. At the moment, you're okay with older non-updating Kindles. 9th gen and older are past their support period. 10th gen is suppose to receive security updates through 2026, but hasn't received any of the latest updates since early this year. Obviously, any Kindle that is still in communication with the mothership could receive some sort of change.

I don't think any Kindle unable to handle KF8 will get any sort of DRM change.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't think any Kindle unable to handle KF8 will get any sort of DRM change.

Probably not, but Amazon might make it impossible for older Kindles to download new books. In fact, that seems very likely, given their past actions.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Probably not, but Amazon might make it impossible for older Kindles to download new books. In fact, that seems very likely, given their past actions.

I cannot see Amazon disabling all of those Kindles from the K3 to the PW1. That would cause a major backlash.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I cannot see Amazon disabling all of those Kindles from the K3 to the PW1. That would cause a major backlash.

I can see it, easily. The majority of their customers read in apps, those still reading on ancient Kindles only are probably a very small minority.

Disabling Download and Transfer caused a backlash too. Did Amazon care? Nope.