New Windows Kindle app announced; Current Kindle app unavailable after 30/06/2026

[xyzzy_foo]

When updating the Kindle for PC app to 2.9.1 (71006), I receive the following message:

[jhowell]

The pop up I received in English when the Kindle for PC app updated itself to 2.9.1 is:

Announcing a new Kindle app!

A new and improved Kindle app for Windows 11 will be available in the Microsoft Store later this month.
This app will no longer be available after June 30, 2026.

Also a banner at the top of the screen states:

This app will no longer be available after June 30, 2026. Local collections that aren't synced to the cloud won't transfer to the new app.

It is unclear what "no longer be available" means. I suspect it will no longer be capable of downloading books from Amazon after that date.

[ZodWallop]

They are consolidating their grip.

I know the number of users that care about removing DRM is microscopic. But I have noticed BookTubers increasingly mention a desire to move away from Amazon because of their shenanigans, I'm pretty sure BookTokers do the same. And on the ereader Reddit, it's common to see posts seeking advice on a new reader that isn't tied to Amazon. I think many people don't even understand the specific issues at hand, they just know there's a general 'lets avoid Amazon' vibe going.

All small potatoes, for sure. But I wonder how long it will take to become something Amazon does notice?

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by jhowell

... It is unclear what "no longer be available" means. I suspect it will no longer be capable of downloading books from Amazon after that date.

I suspect you are right, as that's what happened when Kindle for Mac was sunsetted in favor of the Apple App Store Kindle app.

[tomsem]

To be clear, Windows For PC is horrible and always has been. Some of that is Microsoft's fault for the disaster of Windows 8 and dangling of WSA, which Amazon willingly committed to, so that they keep having to bring K4PC back to life. At least when Apple made it easier to port iPadOS apps to macOS, it was a solid offer and the Kindle app is now on par with iOS/iPadOS.

I probably will never use the Windows Store version (my only windows system isn't portable and shares its screen with my MacBook, and I use it via Windows App - formerly Remote Desktop - except when that doesn't connect) but it will be a low bar for it to be much better than what it's ever been.

[jonathan2022]

So if my understanding is right . We will be left with kindle inks and kindle for android. Possibly kindle fir cloud reader. (Which doesn't have text to speech)

[odamizu]

Originally Posted by jonathan2022

So if my understanding is right . We will be left with kindle inks and kindle for android. Possibly kindle fir cloud reader. (Which doesn't have text to speech)

There will also be a new Kindle app for Windows through the Windows Store. So eink, Android, Windows, Kindle Cloud Reader, plus Mac and iOS/iPadOS.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jonathan2022

So if my understanding is right . We will be left with kindle inks and kindle for android. Possibly kindle fir cloud reader. (Which doesn't have text to speech)

If Kindle Cloud Reader does not have TTS, the EU wasn't go for it as it needs to be accessible.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by odamizu

There will also be a new Kindle app for Windows through the Windows Store. So eink, Android, Windows, Kindle Cloud Reader, plus Mac and iOS/iPadOS.

And Fires...unless something else is meant by "left with".

[jonathan2022]

Originally Posted by lkmiller

And Fires...unless something else is meant by "left with".

I just meant the are cutting down the options we can use. Hence the left with

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by jonathan2022

I just meant the are cutting down the options we can use. Hence the left with

One Windows app is going away, and replaced with another one. The only people getting cut off will be Windows 10 users, as far as I can tell. Windows 10 is not supported by Microsoft unless you pay them.

The only question is when Amazon pulls the plug on the existing Windows app.

Oh, and my Fire HD6 and Fire Phone won't be able to download books, in addition to Kindle Touch. Boo hoo.

[ownedbycats]

I figured it was only a matter of time. Amazon doesn't want people to be able to leave the ecosystem.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by tomsem

One Windows app is going away, and replaced with another one. The only people getting cut off will be Windows 10 users, as far as I can tell. Windows 10 is not supported by Microsoft unless you pay them.

Still get security updates until later this year, but think you need opt-iin.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Still get security updates until later this year, but think you need opt-iin.

That's probably right, I had a Windows 10 'workstation' (translation: very heavy laptop) until a couple of months ago, and after I reinstalled Windows before giving it away, there might have been some updates as well. The thing was probably almost 20 years old and running perfectly.

[lkmiller]

Originally Posted by jonathan2022

I just meant the are cutting down the options we can use. Hence the left with

If you mean with DeDRM, then maybe nothing after Jun 30th unless/until something else is figured out. Many einks that get kfx are getting new drm, einks that don't get kfx stop downloading after May 20, Legacy Kindle for PC won't be available after Jun 30. Maybe Kindle for Android? No idea of the status of DeKindled for the Cloud Reader. That one's a real last resort.