Amazon discontinuing support for older Kindles in May

[Sats]

Originally Posted by Regina

So, Amazon has a way to inject new KFX DRM without disturbing the software on it. If something like this exists, it should be stored inside the device in some other storage location that is not disturbed by software update.

I found this 3 year old thread for 5.12.2.2 but not sure on the relevance.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=352984

It is a dynamic library downloaded from Amazon servers, to my knowledge. And yes, the link you provided is related, since that is exactly where that file ends up. I am not sure what diags partition was used for originally (diagnostics?), but now it seems to be used for DRM enhancement.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sats

It is a dynamic library downloaded from Amazon servers, to my knowledge. And yes, the link you provided is related, since that is exactly where that file ends up. I am not sure what diags partition was used for originally (diagnostics?), but now it seems to be used for DRM enhancement.

It's not enhancing anything. IMHO, it's a virus.

[Sats]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's not enhancing anything. IMHO, it's a virus.

I mean, if it were anybody *but* Amazon that managed to do that, we would have called it "Remote Code Execution Vulnerability", sure, and their code uses something that in any other code would trip AV software, sure, but we all know who the devices belong to... So it is all good (/s)

[Smitmiller]

Originally Posted by Sats

So it is all good (/s)

If there is one thing I have learned, there is no end to sarcasm.

And thanks for the explanation.

[Martyd]

Don't know if this was posted but here's what one person did. Lot of work.
https://www.howtogeek.com/de-amazone...ever-paid-for/

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Martyd

Don't know if this was posted but here's what one person did. Lot of work.
https://www.howtogeek.com/de-amazone...ever-paid-for/

That's just a jailbreak and installing KOReader.

[Regina]

Originally Posted by Sats

It is a dynamic library downloaded from Amazon servers, to my knowledge. And yes, the link you provided is related, since that is exactly where that file ends up. I am not sure what diags partition was used for originally (diagnostics?), but now it seems to be used for DRM enhancement.

seems there was diagnostics software for Kindle.

https://www.reddit.com/r/kindle/comm...hite_4_and_it/

So, the partition was probably originally intended to keep the diagnostics software.

if the DRM software is dynamically downloaded, what will happen if we delete the downloaded part? Would it revert back to old software behavior?

there is software in mobilereads to block OTA. is there software to block/delete this special location contents?

[Quoth]

They have already discontinued purchase and WiFi download for the Kindle 3 / Keyboard (azw3 mobi & PDF) and DXG (Mobi & PDF). The Paperwhite 3 no longer is any use for KFX backups.

So I've deleted all my ebook "wishlists" on Amazon, which had been already whittled down to a few authors exclusive on Amazon. Exclusive creative content to purchase at retail is immoral.

I won't suffer as there are thousands of PD and commercial ebooks elsewhere. It's a shame for the authors and small publishers "conned" into giving Amazon exclusivity. We now have about 10 nearly useless Kindles in the wider family as many have also Kobos ort phones / tablets far better for metadata / PD / DRM free content.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...ions_by_Amazon
[This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (February 2014)]

Most recent is takeover of satellite provider for Apple iPhone.
They've wrecked Goodreads and IMDB.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Regina

…
if the DRM software is dynamically downloaded, what will happen if we delete the downloaded part? Would it revert back to old software behavior?

there is software in mobilereads to block OTA. is there software to block/delete this special location contents?

Likely only possible on a jailbroken Kindle. Only one partition is user accessible and Kindle is already crippled for metadata compared to Kobo due to an inaccessible database.

[Bermudagirl]

I just wanted to clarify something. I have been able to download purchased Kindle books on to my Paper White 1st gen and then transferred them into Calibre where I have converted them into epubs. (I read them in MapleRead on my iPad).
Now I know I will no longer be able to do this from 20th May 2026. Just wondering if I would be able to still do this with a more up to date Kindle or as I am afraid, it's a no, and it won't be possible. ��

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Bermudagirl

I just wanted to clarify something. I have been able to download purchased Kindle books on to my Paper White 1st gen and then transferred them into Calibre where I have converted them into epubs. (I read them in MapleRead on my iPad).
Now I know I will no longer be able to do this from 20th May 2026. Just wondering if I would be able to still do this with a more up to date Kindle or as I am afraid, it's a no, and it won't be possible. ��

Amazon is able to tinker with the firmware from remote for your newer Kindles. So they can change the DRM for KFX. That means that most (or all) remaining Kindle that handle KFX may not be able to have the DRM removed.

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by Bermudagirl

I just wanted to clarify something. I have been able to download purchased Kindle books on to my Paper White 1st gen and then transferred them into Calibre where I have converted them into epubs. (I read them in MapleRead on my iPad).
Now I know I will no longer be able to do this from 20th May 2026. Just wondering if I would be able to still do this with a more up to date Kindle or as I am afraid, it's a no, and it won't be possible. ��

You can at the moment, I have a Voyage, but it looks like Amazon will be able to remotely change the software so the DRMis not strippable. When they are doing that nobody knows but it’s been reported on some models that it’s already started.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Amazon is able to tinker with the firmware from remote for your newer Kindles. So they can change the DRM for KFX. That means that most (or all) remaining Kindle that handle KFX may not be able to have the DRM removed.

Originally Posted by Josieb1

You can at the moment, I have a Voyage, but it looks like Amazon will be able to remotely change the software so the DRMis not strippable. When they are doing that nobody knows but it’s been reported on some models that it’s already started.

Or download and strip while you can. When Amazon updates the DRM continue to download. Once the new DRM has been defeated, strip your previous purchases.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

[Bermudagirl]

Originally Posted by John F

Or download and strip while you can. When Amazon updates the DRM continue to download. Once the new DRM has been defeated, strip your previous purchases.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

Can I ask what you mean by strip?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Bermudagirl

Can I ask what you mean by strip?

Removing the DRM so you can convert them.