Dealing with Kindle ebooks in calibre

[Quoth]

There can't be many non-KFX. A tiny number of azw3 WiFi (K3 to Paperwhite 1) and hardly any Kindles with no WiFi (all no azw3).
The Sixth gen (2013) and later got KFX back ported in 2019.
The LiPoly cells last about 10 years.
The Paperwhite 1 (gen 5) in 2012 is maybe the last without KFX backport. That's 13 years ago come September.

The DXG was the last without WiFi. The K3 (Kindle Keyboard though 4 other models have keyboards) was July / August 2010. It and all later kindles have WiFi. That's nearly 15 years ago. My K3 needs a new battery, a second time. I fear most replacements are old stock and won't last long, perhaps even re-labelled.

So most reliably working kindles have KFX and WiFi.

The July 2010 DXG is the last Kindle without Wifi. It's pretty ghastly to read on due to weight and only 150dpi and only mobi or slow PDF, though like K3 it has a Pearl screen. The K1 is 2007/2008, almost none outside USA, no Wifi, mobi, no PDF or AZW and vizplex screen.
The K2 is February 2009, no WiFi, mobi, maybe PDF, no AZW and vizplex screen.
The DX was spring 2009, no WiFi, USA cell only, mobi & PDF, no AZW and 150 dpi vizplex screen.
The DXi in Early 2010 had modem for outside USA and USA, mobi & PDF, no AZW and 150 dpi.

There are maybe a very few DXi and DXG working and less K1, K2 and DX. All apart from DXG have the very poor Viziplex screen.

Any Kindle older than 2012 will shortly need a new battery, if not dead or replaced already.

Kindles have no "off" so are unkind to batteries.

[JSWolf]

I think it's possible most of the pre-WiFi Kindles aren't being used for anything other then having a registered Kindle in the account.

I think the no off is so older Kindles that aren't used get the battery drained and might not charge or charge poorly so a new Kindle would have to be purchased.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I think it's possible most of the pre-WiFi Kindles aren't being used for anything other then having a registered Kindle in the account.

But then the D&T feature download was/is (till 26th) rubbish mobi format!

[Dal Bhat]

I got the February 26 notice today, for my 11th gen Kindle bought in 2023.

[texasnightowl]

Can you have 2 versions of K4PC installed at the same time? ie. have 1.17 installed to get kf8/azw3 for books published before 2023 and 2.4 installed for newer books.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by texasnightowl

Can you have 2 versions of K4PC installed at the same time? ie. have 1.17 installed to get kf8/azw3 for books published before 2023 and 2.4 installed for newer books.

No. Unless you use two different user accounts (I mean Windows user accounts, not Amazon accounts), then yes.

[gordonsj]

Originally Posted by Quoth

There can't be many non-KFX. A tiny number of azw3 WiFi (K3 to Paperwhite 1) and hardly any Kindles with no WiFi (all no azw3).
The Sixth gen (2013) and later got KFX back ported in 2019.
The LiPoly cells last about 10 years.
The Paperwhite 1 (gen 5) in 2012 is maybe the last without KFX backport. That's 13 years ago come September.

The DXG was the last without WiFi. The K3 (Kindle Keyboard though 4 other models have keyboards) was July / August 2010. It and all later kindles have WiFi. That's nearly 15 years ago. My K3 needs a new battery, a second time. I fear most replacements are old stock and won't last long, perhaps even re-labelled.

So most reliably working kindles have KFX and WiFi.

The July 2010 DXG is the last Kindle without Wifi. It's pretty ghastly to read on due to weight and only 150dpi and only mobi or slow PDF, though like K3 it has a Pearl screen. The K1 is 2007/2008, almost none outside USA, no Wifi, mobi, no PDF or AZW and vizplex screen.
The K2 is February 2009, no WiFi, mobi, maybe PDF, no AZW and vizplex screen.
The DX was spring 2009, no WiFi, USA cell only, mobi & PDF, no AZW and 150 dpi vizplex screen.
The DXi in Early 2010 had modem for outside USA and USA, mobi & PDF, no AZW and 150 dpi.

There are maybe a very few DXi and DXG working and less K1, K2 and DX. All apart from DXG have the very poor Viziplex screen.

Any Kindle older than 2012 will shortly need a new battery, if not dead or replaced already.

Kindles have no "off" so are unkind to batteries.

It was Kindles up to and including K5 that got cut off from the Kindle store a couple of years ago, so that tallies.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by gordonsj

It was Kindles up to and including K5 that got cut off from the Kindle store a couple of years ago, so that tallies.

But no Kindle with WiFi has been cut off from downloading eBooks.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by gordonsj

It was Kindles up to and including K5 that got cut off from the Kindle store a couple of years ago, so that tallies.

Only to access the store to browse & buy. Mysteriously the Kindle DXG still works to get an ebook sent to it when you Sync, though now here in Ireland the signal is only GSM 2G EDGE, not 3G now. The K3 still can accept an ebook via WiFi on Sync.

I'd be amazed if the mobile/Cell delivery still works after the 26th Feb 2025, but you never know because I think Mobile/Cell modem was an option not long ago on some models (Oasis 3? The Oasis 2 has it).

[gordonsj]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But no Kindle with WiFi has been cut off from downloading eBooks.

That's right. Thats the big question: When or if they will do that to non kfx Kindles to cut off that route to removing DRM. Amazon will know how many of these devices are downloading books and will therefore be able to estimate the level of customer outrage when they render them useless.
Some people on this forum think that Amazon won't care how much outrage there is. I disagree. I think it is something they are taking, and will take, into account.
I personally love my K3. Best page turn buttons around. Judging from the active market for them on ebay.co.uk I don't think I'm alone.

[Quoth]

There are two families of KFX able Kindles. Older ones after PW1 that haven't had FW past 5.16 and newer ones that still get FW updates.
The azw3 only models are K3 to PW1.

It's also not really about DRM as such, but Amazon control. Some ebooks to even 2024 models will not be KFX.

Currently KFX is no harder than azw3 and I'm sceptical that will change for the older KFX models or that azw3 only models will be cut off.

OTOH they might only have ebooks from late 2025 or 1 year after last eink model sold (which might be later this year or 2026) be for current version app only. It would make sense from Amazon control POV. The DRM shenanigans are Amazon driven, not publisher driven.

[texasnightowl]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

No. Unless you use two different user accounts (I mean Windows user accounts, not Amazon accounts), then yes.

Thanks. I figured not but thought I would ask anyway.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Quoth

My K3 needs a new battery, a second time. I fear most replacements are old stock and won't last long, perhaps even re-labelled.

Any Kindle older than 2012 will shortly need a new battery, if not dead or replaced already.

Kindles have no "off" so are unkind to batteries.

I replaced the battery in my K4nt a few years back. Amazon made it hard to even get that (not sold on their store). I suspect the replacement kits are almost built to order (attach the proper connector to a fairly standard battery).

I hope the EU again flexes its power (they made phones have a standard charger) and make all portable devices use a non-proprietary, replaceable battery. Just think how many years the AA / LR6 size (and family) has been in use. Now we use a non-replaceable battery to force upgrades.
BTW The rule needs to outlaw sealing methods that require more than a pry tool or screw driver (I can think like someone who wants to beat the regs)
As for the 'but we need that special shape' crowd. a 7 figure ($ or €) LICENSE (permit) for that BATTERY SHAPE to be paid in full before sales can begin.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by theducks

I replaced the battery in my K4nt a few years back. Amazon made it hard to even get that (not sold on their store). I suspect the replacement kits are almost built to order (attach the proper connector to a fairly standard battery).

I hope the EU again flexes its power (they made phones have a standard charger) and make all portable devices use a non-proprietary, replaceable battery. Just think how many years the AA / LR6 size (and family) has been in use. Now we use a non-replaceable battery to force upgrades.
BTW The rule needs to outlaw sealing methods that require more than a pry tool or screw driver (I can think like someone who wants to beat the regs)
As for the 'but we need that special shape' crowd. a 7 figure ($ or €) LICENSE (permit) for that BATTERY SHAPE to be paid in full before sales can begin.

The battery has to be easily user replaceable. So we won't have these portable devices be hard to open.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The battery has to be easily user replaceable. So we won't have these portable devices be hard to open.

Lots of phones now made with nonreplaceable batteries. So when battery wears down you have to buy a new phone even if phones still good. I hate it, wasteful.

Planned obsolescence stinks.