Problem with Kindle Paperwhite 12th gen - a dealbreaker

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Whereas someone who had a Kindle and now decides to get a Kobo and read their Amazon ebooks on that, presumably does their research into liberating their Amazon purchases before selling their Kindle.

If a person was thinking of buying a Kindle and has decided to switch to Kobo because the new 2024 models don't have the "D&T" option for Amazon books, they should probably do a bit more research. (There are numerous reasons to switch to Kobo, but I think this is by far the most absurd one).

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by cellaris

If a person was thinking of buying a Kindle and has decided to switch to Kobo because the new 2024 models don't have the "D&T" option for Amazon books, they should probably do a bit more research. (There are numerous reasons to switch to Kobo, but I think this is by far the most absurd one).

It isn't absurd if they also decide to stop buying from Amazon because they can no longer back up their purchases. In fact, that's exactly what I'd do if I no longer had any option to remove DRM from Amazon ebooks.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

It isn't absurd if they also decide to stop buying from Amazon because they can no longer back up their purchases. In fact, that's exactly what I'd do if I no longer had any option to remove DRM from Amazon ebooks.

What is absurd is not to stop buying a book from Amazon (in fact I buy my books from other bookshops). What is absurd is to switch to Kobo for not having the option to "download and transfer" books from Amazon via USB on the new Kindle 2024 models. Because that option is not available for Kobo e-readers either. Kobo has nothing to offer in this respect.

[j.p.s]

It is absurd to vote with your wallet (, possibly in solidarity with those that do buy books from amazon)?

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by cellaris

What is absurd is not to stop buying a book from Amazon (in fact I buy my books from other bookshops). What is absurd is to switch to Kobo for not having the option to "download and transfer" books from Amazon via USB on the new Kindle 2024 models. Because that option is not available for Kobo e-readers either. Kobo has nothing to offer in this respect.

Switching to another brand also means switching one's primary bookstore for many, if not most, people. In that sense switching to Kobo because 2024 Kindles have no D&T is not absurd at all, as removing DRM from Amazon ebooks would be more difficult with only a 2024 Kindle. It's still as easy as always with Kobo ebooks.

[cellaris]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

It is absurd to vote with your wallet (, possibly in solidarity with those that do buy books from amazon)?

Let's see. I think the vast majority of Kindle users are Kindle users because of Amazon's "ecosystem" (and they download their books via WiFi). I have nothing against Amazon. I buy books from other bookstores because I find it much more convenient to do so, given the number of other brands of e-readers I own. But the Amazon "ecosystem" seems to me to be an example to imitate (however much some people dislike it). And, besides, I'm one of the rare ones who likes Kindle e-readers.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by cellaris

But the Amazon "ecosystem" seems to me to be an example to imitate (however much some people dislike it).

Not if they make it impossible to leave it without losing all your previously purchased books.

I used to like Kindles too... until several questionable choices by Amazon (ditching physical buttons and deleting USB-sideloaded books being two main ones).

[Quoth]

Cons of Amazon

• You can't roll back an annoying FW update or refuse it easily (Can on Kobo)
• Originally on a Kindle you could set margins smaller (via a config) and sort ebooks in collections via computer. Then they removed that.
• The minimum margins are too big.
• The minimum line spacing is too big.
• They introduced Fixed layout and called it Kindle, but it doesn't work on eink.
• Then they started messing up covers.
• They made the GUI much worse.
• They messed up covers.
• Introduced bugs that deleted sideloaded content.
• They added KFX which has DRM even if the publisher requests DRM free.
• Sync started messing up Collections if you have an older Registered kindle.
• Deleting Collections on Web page may not work.
• They changed newer models to have Voiceview instead of easy to use TTS with the regular GUI/buttons.
• They bought Comoxology and call it Kindle. There is no Download & Transfer.
• Made Scribe needing Amazon to do PDFs (no-one else does this to PDFs) and needing internet twice & Proprietary KFX.
• Made Scribe via update use MTP, which is a pain.
• The 2024 models are MTP.
• The 2024 models have no Download and Transfer.
• The "Send to Kindle" only works for non-Kindle formats and Amazon keeps a copy. It has size limits and easily rejects content.
• They stupidly differentiate Personal Documents and Ebooks for no useful reason.
• Stupid system to stop publishers/authors cheating means loans need your Kindle online and they monitor pages read and pay content provider. This is abusive to readers (privacy) and rights holders. Unlike other Libraries Amazon KU gets content free and they decide payment pot. UK & Irish Libraries pay a small royalty per checkout, irrespective of amount read. When you BUY an ebook no-one should be checking how much you read.
• Default is adverts
• First price shown is free or an amount that only applies to KU SUBSCRIBERS, not purchases
• All but large publishers not using KDP Select are exclusive to Amazon if using KDPSelect (See KU)
• Limited metadata and can't fix Series.

Pros of Ecosystem

• If you read on more than one thing, it can sync, but only ebooks Amazon already has.
• Audible & ebook sync. But more use for those only using an App.
• So called Whispernet (direct WiFi or Cell) delivery. But you have no computer copy / backup.

The Amazon Ecosystem is to build a monopoly that benefits Amazon. It's abusive.

[richorlin]

As the OP on this thread, allow me to chime in once more. I returned my Kindle PW SE 12th gen and am keeping my 11th gen. I also have an older Kobo forma which I use more than the paperwhite because of the larger size and the physical buttons.
You can sideload to both readers if you use the Calibre app. It is available on Macs, Windows and Linux and is very easy to use. Anyone with even a limited technical knowledge can download and use the app to store your ebooks. A plus: if you D&T books fom Amazon, you can move them to Calibre, remove DRM, and use Calibre upload to any ereader. I’m not going to post links to either Calibre or the DeDRM plugin for Calibre. Use Google.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by richorlin

As the OP on this thread, allow me to chime in once more. I returned my Kindle PW SE 12th gen and am keeping my 11th gen. I also have an older Kobo forma which I use more than the paperwhite because of the larger size and the physical buttons.
You can sideload to both readers if you use the Calibre app. It is available on Macs, Windows and Linux and is very easy to use. Anyone with even a limited technical knowledge can download and use the app to store your ebooks. A plus: if you D&T books fom Amazon, you can move them to Calibre, remove DRM, and use Calibre upload to any ereader. I’m not going to post links to either Calibre or the DeDRM plugin for Calibre. Use Google.

Links to the current DeDRM have been posted and are in a number of threads. It is allowed to post the link to DeDRM.

[dunnoread]

Just joined to say, at least for now, the new Kindle Paperwhite 2024 has not been a dealbreaker for me. True, you can't "Download and Transfer" an Amazon purchase via USB, but if you have any older Kindle hanging around, you still can, and then use Calibre on that file if you want. The "send to Kindle" app for Mac still works as it always has and readily adds epubs to your Kindle library and uploads them to the Paperwhite 2024 just fine. If the day comes that Amazon blocks that ability, then, yep, I’m out. But I’ll have my 1500 DRM-free epubs and I’ll go find another ebook device. Until then, the Paperwhite 2024 is so fast and easy to use and the dark mode is so necessary for me that for now, I’m good.