Content This title is unavailable for download and transfer

[LDB]

Originally Posted by DNSB

For what it is worth, I tried that book from Amazon.ca, it sent the sample to my Paperwhite and Kindle 4 PC 1.34.1 was able to download the sample. Content and Devices does show it as not being available for download and transfer but then another sample I requested also shows as not being available for download and transfer so it might be a sample issue.

Thanks. I sent the sample to my Fire and it worked fine. It doesn't like my Oasis apparently. I'm going to try it on my computer and see what happens, just for grins.

[janrey]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Hmm. I've been cancelled! All samples in my "content and devices" are labeled the same with the different dropdown (samples attached).

Are you in the US? If not try a vpn that shows you in New York.

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by janrey

Are you in the US? If not try a vpn that shows you in New York.

It's an Amazon change to account UI not an internet problem. Numerous posts above discuss this.

[Deskisamess]

Originally Posted by janrey

Are you in the US? If not try a vpn that shows you in New York.

Amazon takes a dim view of faking your location to do an end run around location limitations.

[manawydan]

Same with amazon.de.

Samples seem no longer be available for download via usb (to computer).
The dropdown option is still there but it only offers the sample on the cloud.

I do not connect my kindle to the interenet since unwanted firmware update and an automatic upload of any content in the library list on amazon.

I wasted over 30 minutes on the "support" who pretended dumb and had no idea (or at least did not admit) that download was ever possible.

I assume the option to "download" is or will be removed for ebooks soon, not only samples.

Unfortunately other sellers do not offer downloads either.

This means that you will always need internet to access your bought books and also several apps or readers.

Fu** the industry.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by manawydan

Unfortunately other sellers do not offer downloads either.

Kobo and Google Play still offer downloads.

[BookCat]

Originally Posted by tomsem

Yes, on the product page, the Send a free sample option has a Deliver to: option for Transfer via Computer. If you choose this, it will then ask which device you are putting it on.

Given this, it is not clear why you cannot do it from Content listing as well.

Just for funsies, I tried downloading the OP's suggested sample from US Amazon. Although I'm in the UK, I have bought things from Amazon US so am registered there. I found the option to Transfer via USB, so attempted to send the sample to my laptop. On clicking the Send a Free Sample button, I was taken to a screen which told me it was sending the sample wirelessly - impossible because I don't have wifi.

Thinking I may have done something wrong, I tried again. Selected Transfer via USB, clicked Send Sample. It still tried to send the sample wirelessly. This time I was given a link which said "need help?" clicked this and was taken to a number of options.

I considered chatting to CS, but am not quite awake and need to grab some hot chocolate etc to face this. But I do wonder: if enough of us complained about the loss of this ability Amazon may change their minds. Perhaps they don't realise that many prefer this method. After all, they make more money selling the books than in selling the ereaders, so don't want us migrating to Kobo etc.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by BookCat

On clicking the Send a Free Sample button, I was taken to a screen which told me it was sending the sample wirelessly - impossible because I don't have wifi.

I am seeing the same thing. Last week selecting the option to "Transfer via computer" for a sample downloaded the file to my PC. Today it is instead sending it over the air to my default device.

It is not a big deal for me since I don't need to download samples anyway. It will be a much greater annoyance if they start applying this behavior to regular books.

[hleo12]

I also tried it. I selected Transfer via computer, but it automatically sent it to my default device. I then went back to the book page, and the transfer via computer couldn't be selected anymore. I also tried with other books, and the same thing happened. And now I have to clean up these samples.

And even when you go to content and devices, books, and click more actions on the sample, the download option doesn't show up like with regular books.

So it looks like Samples can't be downloaded anymore.

I wouldn't be surprised if regular books follows next.

[Quoth]

last two times I bought ebooks on Amazon I selected Download and nothing was offered except it said it would be sent to my Paperwhite. I was able to download at Manage My Content and Devices.

If this isn't a bug and they are ONLY going to send to device via wifi/mobile then I'll stop buying.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by jhowell

It will be a much greater annoyance if they start applying this behavior to regular books.

Originally Posted by Quoth

last two times I bought ebooks on Amazon I selected Download and nothing was offered except it said it would be sent to my Paperwhite. I was able to download at Manage My Content and Devices.

If this isn't a bug and they are ONLY going to send to device via wifi/mobile then I'll stop buying.

I have also had to go to My Content and Devices to get my most recent purchases and that is already annoying.

It is definitely a bug whatever their intention since USB transfer is offered as a purchase option.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I have also had to go to My Content and Devices to get my most recent purchases and that is already annoying.

It is definitely a bug whatever their intention since USB transfer is offered as a purchase option.

Same here. Annoying, but I can live with it, as long as the option is there for purchased books. If they remove it altogether, then I'll use my old version of Kindle for PC which I've managed to keep from updating so far; if they block that, I won't buy from them anymore.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

It is definitely a bug whatever their intention since USB transfer is offered as a purchase option.

It's a bug. The question is whether the bug is download & transfer not working or the bug is that it is still offered as an option at all.

[BookCat]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

I have also had to go to My Content and Devices to get my most recent purchases and that is already annoying.

It is definitely a bug whatever their intention since USB transfer is offered as a purchase option.

I'm not convinced that this is a bug. My take on this is that Amazon think all their kindle users have and prefer wifi delivery, so are phasing out transfer via USB as "antiquated".

I don't believe they realise how many people either prefer not to have wifi, or keep their kindles in aeroplane mode for security, battery conservation, and to prevent unwanted updates. Remember all the newbies that appear on the "which should I buy?" threads who are determined not to be spied on? I don't think Amazon understand such users exist.

Also they probably don't realise how many ebooks they sell to people who use non-kindle ereaders. Transfer via USB allows the stripping of DRM and conversion of format. Amazon still gets money for the ebooks.

Looks like they're shooting themselves in the foot with this one.

[jhowell]

I suspect that Amazon would like to do away with e-book downloads completely since they provide an easy escape from the Kindle ecosystem. Eliminating it all at once would lead to a huge customer backlash so they are doing it incrementally.


Here is my best guess at a possible progression:

Samples: You didn't buy it so you can't complain if you cannot download it.

Kindle Unlimited: Sideloading to offline devices prevents authors from being paid. No longer allowed.

New books: The book you just purchased does not support downloading. You can get an immediate refund if you want.

New devices: This Kindle does not support USB transfer mode.

End game: Hardly anyone is using download & transfer any more so we are eliminating that capability. If you are unhappy we can offer you a discount on a new Kindle.