Signs of a further shift toward KFX

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Why would Amazon shift to KFX when they would not even drop Mobi?

Some benefits to Amazon of having more new e-book releases be KFX-only are increased lock in to their platform and more consistency in how those books render across apps and devices, reducing support problems.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What's going to happen to al of those older Kindles out there that will never support KFX?

Books currently available in the older Kindle formats will continue to be offered as they are now for many years to come. Owners of older devices can either read older books, sideload books they convert themselves, or upgrade to a newer model Kindle.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jhowell

Some benefits to Amazon of having more new e-book releases be KFX-only are increased lock in to their platform and more consistency in how those books render across apps and devices, reducing support problems.

Amazon is trying to make the lock-in all that much stronger.

But this means less sales. If we cannot get a KF8 copy, then the eBook is not going to be purchased by those that remove the DRM. The ePub version will be purchased or the eBook won't be purchased if there is no ePub version.

Books currently available in the older Kindle formats will continue to be offered as they are now for many years to come. Owners of older devices can either read older books, sideload books they convert themselves, or upgrade to a newer model Kindle.

Amazon should have dumped Mobi years ago. Then the only support issue they would have had would have been with KF8. Then with KFX, there would be even less active devices that don't or can't support KFX.

[ps67]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Amazon is trying to make the lock-in all that much stronger.

But this means less sales. If we cannot get a KF8 copy, then the eBook is not going to be purchased by those that remove the DRM. The ePub version will be purchased or the eBook won't be purchased if there is no ePub version.



Amazon should have dumped Mobi years ago. Then the only support issue they would have had would have been with KF8. Then with KFX, there would be even less active devices that don't or can't support KFX.

Yes, but most people just buy the book and read it on their Kindle or phone or tablet. They know nothing about DRM and they don't care. Forum members are nowhere near similar to the average ebook user. So I don't think these Amazon behaviors will make them sell less ebooks.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ps67

Yes, but most people just buy the book and read it on their Kindle or phone or tablet. They know nothing about DRM and they don't care. Forum members are nowhere near similar to the average ebook user. So I don't think these Amazon behaviors will make them sell less ebooks.

What about those who use a DX/DXG, K3/KK, K4, KNT, PW1, PW2 and older Kindles will not read any of these KFX only eBooks. I thought Amazon was all about keeping Mobi & KF8 for older Kindles? I know I'd be pissed if I have a Kindle that does not support KFX and I found an eBook only available at Amazon that I cannot read because Amazon is shifting to KFX.

[Quoth]

Amazon knows which kindle or app a person has. They use the epub2 or docx or other source to build all the formats needed.

There will only be KFX deliveries for models + FW level and app versions that support it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

Amazon knows which kindle or app a person has. They use the epub2 or docx or other source to build all the formats needed.

There will only be KFX deliveries for models + FW level and app versions that support it.

Sorry, but that's wrong. I tried downloading a Kindle eBook from Unlimited with Kindle 1.17 and the error message says that I needed the latest Kindle. It seems that eBooks that do not have any other version other then the eBook are being delivered in KFX only.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Sorry, but that's wrong. I tried downloading a Kindle eBook from Unlimited with Kindle 1.17 and the error message says that I needed the latest Kindle.

But that's an app. They can absolutely insist on you updating an App. So I never select an app as a target.

I should have left out "App" in my post.

The SAME book will download via PC for USB transfer in a different format for a suitable physical Kindle, unless it's the sort of book that doesn't work on ANY real eink Kindle (stupidly sold as Kindle ebooks, but they need and App or the Fire which is really Android + App).

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

But that's an app. They can absolutely insist on you updating an App. So I never select an app as a target.

I should have left out "App" in my post.

The SAME book will download via PC for USB transfer in a different format for a suitable physical Kindle, unless it's the sort of book that doesn't work on ANY real eink Kindle (stupidly sold as Kindle ebooks, but they need and App or the Fire which is really Android + App).

I've access to a K4. I just have to hope it can be charged as it's been sitting drained for some time. If it can be charged, I'll be able to test if we can still download KF8 for these that don't allow KF8 USB downloads.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've access to a K4. I just have to hope it can be charged as it's been sitting drained for some time. If it can be charged, I'll be able to test if we can still download KF8 for these that don't allow KF8 USB downloads.

It won't work for these new books.

Here is an example of a book published for the Indian market with the new restrictions that is also available to read for free to those with Kindle Unlimited: Chaturanga by Anand Neelakantan

That is a book in English with no apparent content that would make it incompatible with older Kindle formats. The restriction to KFX-only appears to be a decision made by the publisher, Westland, which is an Amazon imprint.

Amazon's Content & Devices page shows that the book can only be delivered to my registered apps and devices that support KFX with the latest DRM. It cannot be sent to a Kindle 3 Keyboard or Kindle 2 device. Trying to download it from the Kindle 3 pops up an error dialog: "Unavailable for Download. The item is not compatible with this device."

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jhowell

It won't work for these new books.

Here is an example of a book published for the Indian market with the new restrictions that is also available to read for free to those with Kindle Unlimited: Chaturanga by Anand Neelakantan

That is a book in English with no apparent content that would make it incompatible with older Kindle formats. The restriction to KFX-only appears to be a decision made by the publisher, Westland, which is an Amazon imprint.

Amazon's Content & Devices page shows that the book can only be delivered to my registered apps and devices that support KFX with the latest DRM. It cannot be sent to a Kindle 3 Keyboard or Kindle 2 device. Trying to download it from the Kindle 3 pops up an error dialog: "Unavailable for Download. The item is not compatible with this device."

If this Kindle actually boots up, I'll give it a go and see what happens. I don't know if the battery is shot or not. The orange light is on, but it's taking a rather long time to start up. It's been over an hour since it was put on charge. This is one reason I dislike Kindles. If they had the ability to be turned off, this one would have been turned off and it would be working now.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by jhowell

It won't work for these new books.

Here is an example of a book published for the Indian market with the new restrictions that is also available to read for free to those with Kindle Unlimited: Chaturanga by Anand Neelakantan

That is a book in English with no apparent content that would make it incompatible with older Kindle formats. The restriction to KFX-only appears to be a decision made by the publisher, Westland, which is an Amazon imprint.

Amazon's Content & Devices page shows that the book can only be delivered to my registered apps and devices that support KFX with the latest DRM. It cannot be sent to a Kindle 3 Keyboard or Kindle 2 device. Trying to download it from the Kindle 3 pops up an error dialog: "Unavailable for Download. The item is not compatible with this device."

Very nasty.

Time DRM was made illegal!

[JSWolf]

I was able to get the Kindle Touch to work. I was able to download a sample to it that I was unable to download with a web browser.

I've not yet tried with the Kindle Unlimited eBook.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Quoth

And Enhanced Typesetting comes from epub2 uploads. KF8 could easily do the KFX so called Enhanced Typesetting. KFX is really about DRM and Amazon are wrongfully adding DRM when then deliver KFX and the Publisher has asked for no DRM.

DRM is an illusion that makes most money for people creating and selling DRM. Apple abandoned it on mp3 music.

For clarity, I want to add that we absolutely also get ET from MOBI uploads. Granted, MOBI is DOA come 6/28, but it's not limited to ePUB2.

Hitch

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Hitch

For clarity, I want to add that we absolutely also get ET from MOBI uploads. Granted, MOBI is DOA come 6/28, but it's not limited to ePUB2.

The point is that I think it's a marketing decision to highlight Enhanced Typesetting on the pages and not upgrade any non-KFX firmware to render it. It's a RENDERING feature, not one tied to the download format being KFX, which adds DRM even when publisher has requested FREE of DRM.

They'd be better adding epub to downloads and to their readers. Their monopoly building is nauseating and that's what KFX is about.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Quoth

The point is that I think it's a marketing decision to highlight Enhanced Typesetting on the pages and not upgrade any non-KFX firmware to render it. It's a RENDERING feature, not one tied to the download format being KFX, which adds DRM even when publisher has requested FREE of DRM.

They'd be better adding epub to downloads and to their readers. Their monopoly building is nauseating and that's what KFX is about.

Well, I can't kvetch about their marketing--it would be hypocritical, given I earn my daily bread therefrom--but yes, adding ePUB would be nice.

Hitch