Best way to own a jailbroken kindle? Are jailbreakable ones still for sale?

[blackjackel]

Trying to get my hands on a jailbreakable kindle, the most important thing for me is:

- SSH / wifi connectivity
- Screensaver functionality
- Visibility of screen (prefer paperwhite versions)

I literally don't care about anything else, those three things are the only things i want out of a jailbroken kindle. What is the fastest simplest way to own one? Do I have to go to best buy and look at serial numbers like iphone or nintendo switch jailbreak?

Do they still sell older jailbreakable serial numbers?

Which serial numbers should i be looking for?

I just don't want to buy a kindle and find out later that I can't jailbreak it, that would suck.

[knc1]

Originally Posted by blackjackel

Trying to get my hands on a jailbreakable kindle, the most important thing for me is:

- SSH / wifi connectivity
- Screensaver functionality
- Visibility of screen (prefer paperwhite versions)

I literally don't care about anything else, those three things are the only things i want out of a jailbroken kindle. What is the fastest simplest way to own one? Do I have to go to best buy and look at serial numbers like iphone or nintendo switch jailbreak?

Do they still sell older jailbreakable serial numbers?

Which serial numbers should i be looking for?

I just don't want to buy a kindle and find out later that I can't jailbreak it, that would suck.

Easy ones first:


Looking at the serial numbers will not help, it depends on what firmware is being run, which is not on the box.


Looking at the firmware version being run by the display models will not help either. Since they are powered on and may have self updated, possibly without even the store personal being aware of it.


Does who still sell ...
It depends on a lot of things.
Not uncommon that a retailer will make an initial order large enough to last longer than the retailer across the street.
Same thing, although less likely now, with the various on-line stores, including the various Amazon national sites.
The keyword in retailing is (and has been for years) "just in time" stock levels.
But since you choose not to display your location in the information box or in your post, it is impossible for anyone to advise you on your local retailers.

The only way I can suggest is to either literally or effectively "stand outside the front door" and ask each new owner to tell you the firmware version being run by their purchase.


Note: There was an exception for the KT3 (Kindle Basic) - where any version of the firmware being run could be jail broken.
That exception was (we think) due to its Bluetooth support.
That may or may not still be the case (the jailbreakability, not the bt).
But that would drop one of your three requirements - those are not lighted screens.

[ilovejedd]

The PW4 appears to be still shipping with fw5.10.0.2 which is jailbreakable.

The original PW is guaranteed jailbreakable and is not receiving any firmware updates anymore (although I find lighting on PW2 and later to be much improved over the orig PW).

[blackjackel]

Originally Posted by knc1

Easy ones first:


Looking at the serial numbers will not help, it depends on what firmware is being run, which is not on the box.


Looking at the firmware version being run by the display models will not help either. Since they are powered on and may have self updated, possibly without even the store personal being aware of it.


Does who still sell ...
It depends on a lot of things.
Not uncommon that a retailer will make an initial order large enough to last longer than the retailer across the street.
Same thing, although less likely now, with the various on-line stores, including the various Amazon national sites.
The keyword in retailing is (and has been for years) "just in time" stock levels.
But since you choose not to display your location in the information box or in your post, it is impossible for anyone to advise you on your local retailers.

The only way I can suggest is to either literally or effectively "stand outside the front door" and ask each new owner to tell you the firmware version being run by their purchase.


Note: There was an exception for the KT3 (Kindle Basic) - where any version of the firmware being run could be jail broken.
That exception was (we think) due to its Bluetooth support.
That may or may not still be the case (the jailbreakability, not the bt).
But that would drop one of your three requirements - those are not lighted screens.

Hey, I see you EVERYWHERE (i'm trying to do some of my own gruntwork... poking around the forums looking for answers to questions that I have before having to resort to asking them (like I did here). But wherever I go, I see you replying and posting... thanks for all the help and posts you've given, you seem to know what the hell you're talking about.

Anyways, you seem to have misunderstood me. I don't need a LIGHTED screen, just a screen where the contrast between the black and white is high so the letters of the words can be seen clearly. That's all.

So If you think the kindle 3 basic is the best way to do this, so that's the way it shall be, although I'm going to wait a day or two and give you time to reply to this post in case you had any better ideas based on my location for example.

I can try giving it "my best shot" by calling a retailer (let's say bestBuy) and ask them which store within 50 miles is the LEAST BUSY and just buy a kindle from there and hope they had old stock....

And that kindle also happens to be a kindle 3 basic then if worse comes to worse i can try that bluetooth thingie you were talking about, which by the way sounds interesting, where are you guys discussing this? Which thread?

Also, I'm not shy about telling you where I'm from, I'm from Los Angeles.

[knc1]

The "preferably a paperwhite ..." through me - as those are the models which introduced the lighted screen.


LA ... there should be zillions of retailers within 50 miles.


KT3 (Kindle Basic) is not your best choice, a PW4 would be your best choice.
Note a post or two prior to this one where someone reports getting a PW4 still with old enough firmware to jail break it.


(You could always open the box at the check-out counter, flip to the "Device Info" panel to learn the firmware version, and then complain about the contrast does not suit your eyes. On any make/model. Just watch out for those places (like best buy) who will only give you "store credit" rather than hand you back your money.)

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by blackjackel

I can try giving it "my best shot" by calling a retailer (let's say bestBuy) and ask them which store within 50 miles is the LEAST BUSY and just buy a kindle from there and hope they had old stock....

Also, I'm not shy about telling you where I'm from, I'm from Los Angeles.

Frankly, I think Target or Office Depot or Staples are more likely to have older stock.

Not that it would matter, I think. I believe even Amazon is still shipping PW4 5.10.0.2. Lol, the PW4 I got during Cyber Monday deal was even a PP07/5.10.0.1.

@arooni has reported still getting 5.10.0.2 as of 01/23/19.
Brand new PaperWhite 4 (2018) factory image JailBreaking

[Winkelschraube]

Necroposting!!

Not uncommon that a retailer will make an initial order large enough to last longer than the retailer across the street.

That's what I thought too. And it's completely true.
Today I went to a large electronics retailer and asked when the Kindles OA3 were delivered. The answer was in October, so I thought, from manufacturing in China, delivery by ship to Europe, distribution by train or truck to bulk warehouse, from there by truck to local warehouse and to the store takes a long time (several months).
I bought an OA3 with 5.13.7.1. The Kindle has to produced in 2021. I did not expect such a long time. They must have bought a huge amount of Kindles at that time.

I am so happy.

[miral]

Can I verify the delivery date by looking at the package?

I mean do I have to rely on what what the staff a the store is telling me?

[miral]

Most of all, is it possible still today?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by miral

Most of all, is it possible still today?

Depends on the firmware that comes installed. PW5 is useless as it comes with the current firmware.

Another problem is that if you were to find a Kindle that has an old enough firmware to jailbreak, how good would the battery be?

[miral]

Makes sense. Probably not a great idea.

[Pajamaman]

Really iffy. I was looking at the PW5 in the sales. I decided it wasnt worth the risk.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by miral

Can I verify the delivery date by looking at the package?

I mean do I have to rely on what what the staff a the store is telling me?

You can verify the manufacture date from the serial number, which is on the box.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=338766

[Winkelschraube]

Originally Posted by miral

I mean do I have to rely on what what the staff a the store is telling me?

Employees have no reason to lie to you. They just look in the delivery papers (computer).

The employee said Amazon devices can be returned at MediaMarkt/Saturn (German electronics store) within 14 days (special arrangement with Amazon). So I could relax at home to see what firmware version is on it, if I do not link the reader then with my Amazon account or try to hack the device is no problem. I told him directly that I was looking for a device with old firmware. That's when he gave me an old device.

About the battery, I have the normal two year warranty on the new device. And Amazon itself is known to be very accommodating about problems with their own devices.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

Really iffy. I was looking at the PW5 in the sales. I decided it wasnt worth the risk.

Not iffy at all. The PW5 is not able to be jailbroken if bought now because they come with too late a firmware version.