Amazon Mandatory Firmware Upgrade

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

This is a paranoid and illogical statement.

I can see paranoid, but how is it illogical?

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by howyoudoin

I can see paranoid, but how is it illogical?

Each individual component of that post was both illogical AND paranoid.

If you really want me to enumerate them...

• This is a scheme to stop you from downloading and sideloading via USB? Just practically speaking, you do realize that that is a really inefficient way of doing so? They could nix the feature. But as it is, they haven't stopped you from updating and then downloading and sideloading via USB anyway.
• You "must" deregister them? Who's gonna make you? Unless Amazon knows the difference between a non-updated and a broken Kindle. And if they don't care which one it is then they would just deregister for you rather than giving you the option.

[howyoudoin]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Each individual component of that post was both illogical AND paranoid.

If you really want me to enumerate them...

• This is a scheme to stop you from downloading and sideloading via USB? Just practically speaking, you do realize that that is a really inefficient way of doing so? They could nix the feature. But as it is, they haven't stopped you from updating and then downloading and sideloading via USB anyway.

• Inefficient is not the same as illogical.
  
  

  You "must" deregister them? Who's gonna make you? Unless Amazon knows the difference between a non-updated and a broken Kindle. And if they don't care which one it is then they would just deregister for you rather than giving you the option.

The email carries the veiled threat of suspension of kindle services. It is possible they're both giving one the option as well as moving ahead anyway on their own once the deadline has expired. What the email does is express possible intent. It's hardly an illogical conclusion to draw. Improbable, maybe. Illogical, not.

This is a very strange post from you.

[eschwartz]

I almost get the impression that you failed to read my post... certainly you have systematically failed to grasp the fundamental point, and proceeded to quibble over the phrasing instead, not that that is very objectionable either...

Anyway, I've said my piece, hopefully people will now know to ignore the nonsense you posted, and I'm out.

[allisondbl]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Here's the full email I got (a bit different from the one the OP got)... "... If you do not update the device software by March 22, 2016, you will no longer be able to access Kindle services or get the update via connecting to a wireless network. To resume access, you will need to manually update the software on your Kindle. Please visit our Help page for more details on how to update automatically.

So here's my thinking that I'd love confirmed by those more knowledgeable.

(1) As far as I can tell since the ONLY books I have/want on my Kindle are those I personally sideload via USB - AZW or mobi format - and I believe there's nothing in Kindle services I can't live without, I can NOT TAKE MY KINDLE PAPERWHITE 6th Gen OUT OF AIRPLANE MODE and thus NOT get the update and it will continue to work fine to read books I sideload via USB.

(2) I can once again connect to wifi to go to Wikipedia or use the browser AFTER March ... say 25 ... and: A) it won't stop me at that point from USING the Kindle to read or sideload via USB without requiring me to download the update; B) I will NOT be risking an AUTOMATIC UPDATE of the software until/unless they roll out an update NEWER THAN the current 5.7.2.1. and C) WITHOUT THE UPDATE I WILL be ABLE to connect via Wifi to Wikipedia or use the browser?

(3) I ALSO own a still boxed/never-connected Kindle Paperwhite 7th Generation. When I chose to put it into rotation I'll want to e.g. get proper time and date which means connecting it to Wifi. If I WAIT until AFTER March 25 will I be able to connect it and, while it might PREFER me to do a manual update IT WILL NOT (A) FORCE THE UPDATE or B) MANDATE the update so that even if all I want to do is sideload stuff I'll have to update before it can receive or read anything?

All help SO gratefully appreciated!

Alley

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by allisondbl

I can once again connect to wifi to go to Wikipedia or use the browser AFTER March ... say 25 ... and: A) it won't stop me at that point from USING the Kindle to read or sideload via USB without requiring me to download the update;

AFAIK the quoted must update email are going out to those with older devices (K1, K2, K3, KT, DX) and it appears those devices when left not updated will no longer connect to Amazon and need a manual update to connect again. Not sure at all that this applies to newer devices (PW2, PW3, etc.). So I don't know that you'd be "safe" to connect to WiFi after the 22nd or not. As far as using it with sideloaded content I don't see how they could make it suddenly not work.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by allisondbl

So here's my thinking that I'd love confirmed by those more knowledgeable.

(1) As far as I can tell since the ONLY books I have/want on my Kindle are those I personally sideload via USB - AZW or mobi format - and I believe there's nothing in Kindle services I can't live without, I can NOT TAKE MY KINDLE PAPERWHITE 6th Gen OUT OF AIRPLANE MODE and thus NOT get the update and it will continue to work fine to read books I sideload via USB.

Correct.

(2) I can once again connect to wifi to go to Wikipedia or use the browser AFTER March ... say 25 ... and: A) it won't stop me at that point from USING the Kindle to read or sideload via USB without requiring me to download the update; B) I will NOT be risking an AUTOMATIC UPDATE of the software until/unless they roll out an update NEWER THAN the current 5.7.2.1. and C) WITHOUT THE UPDATE I WILL be ABLE to connect via Wifi to Wikipedia or use the browser?

Correct.

(3) I ALSO own a still boxed/never-connected Kindle Paperwhite 7th Generation. When I chose to put it into rotation I'll want to e.g. get proper time and date which means connecting it to Wifi. If I WAIT until AFTER March 25 will I be able to connect it and, while it might PREFER me to do a manual update IT WILL NOT (A) FORCE THE UPDATE or B) MANDATE the update so that even if all I want to do is sideload stuff I'll have to update before it can receive or read anything?

Almost definitely correct.
All the indications are that the update notice applies only to the Kindle 1/2/DX(G)/K3/etc. -- the old models.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by allisondbl

(3) I ALSO own a still boxed/never-connected Kindle Paperwhite 7th Generation. When I chose to put it into rotation I'll want to e.g. get proper time and date which means connecting it to Wifi. If I WAIT until AFTER March 25 ...

Still boxed? As in not charging it at all? You'll be lucky if you can get the unit to turn on in March.

[joblack]

There is no forced update.

I use my Kindle DX with an ultra old firmware and my Paperwhite 1 with jailbreak and old version.

I don't think Amazon will block older firmware versions.

[TheFattie]

I never got an OTA update, so after jailbreaking, I manually updated.

[NullNix]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

All the indications are that the update notice applies only to the Kindle 1/2/DX(G)/K3/etc. -- the old models.

Agreed. I just got one, and cursed loudly. However... I have a PW1 with the last working version of ixtab's hyphenation patch. On upgrade, that'll stop working -- but if all they're updating is an auth server IP and cacerts, is there any reason why we can't install that *ourselves* (assuming we knew what to install) and retain the ability to hyphenate in periodicals and .mobis as well as the ability to connect to Amazon?

[eschwartz]

Well, yes. If it actually turns out that you need an update, which I already said is not exactly definite.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Here's the full email I got (a bit different from the one the OP got)...

I just got the email and it's a little different than yours - it has my device in it and says which devices are affected

Your Kindle Keyboard (3rd Generation) requires an important software update to continue downloading e-books and using Kindle services.

This important update applies to Kindle e-readers released prior to 2014. Visit our Help page for a complete list of impacted devices.

To receive the update, follow these steps:
•
Plug your Kindle in to charge during the update.
•
Connect to Wi-Fi.
•
From the Home screen of your Kindle, select Menu or tap the Menu icon. Then choose Sync and Check for Items.
•
Leave your Kindle connected to both power and Wi-Fi overnight, or until the update is complete.
The software update will download and install automatically, even if your device is asleep. Your device may restart multiple times during the update process. You will get a final confirmation letter on your device when the update is complete, which can be found in your Kindle Library.

If you do not update the device software by March 22, 2016, you will no longer be able to access Kindle services or get the update via Wi-Fi. To resume access, you will need to manually update the software on your Kindle. Please visit our Help page for more details on how to update manually.


Frequently Asked Questions

What if I no longer have or use my Kindle e-reader?
If you no longer have or use your Kindle e-reader, deregister it from your account today. First, go to www.amazon.com/mycd and log into your Amazon account. Click on the Your Devices tab and select the Kindle e-reader you want to deregister. Click Deregister.
How do I connect to Wi-Fi?
You can find out more about connecting to Wi-Fi on our Help page.
How can I get help updating my Kindle e-reader?
For more information, visit our Help page.
Thank you for reading with Kindle, and be sure to connect your device to Wi-Fi regularly to receive all future software updates.

Sincerely,
The Amazon Kindle Team

[eschwartz]

This important update applies to Kindle e-readers released prior to 2014. Visit our Help page for a complete list of impacted devices.

I kept telling everyone that.

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

I just got the email and it's a little different than yours - it has my device in it and says which devices are affected

Maybe there was enough complaint/confusion that they've started including the device?