Amazon have rendered my kindle useless

You will still be able to use it to read the books you have already downloaded, but not add new ones.
However I agree with you that they want you to buy a new one.

So it's been rendered useless Luckygirl .

Not many people want to read books they've already read which may well be the case if already downloaded Grandmabatty.

The new ones are a lot better to be fair, and aren’t that pricey.

Depends on the terms and conditions when you bought it Luckygirl as to whether there is any legal recourse.

Have you tried the kindle app itself? I discovered I couldn't get books from Amazon any more but looked on the kindle app and there's lots of books on there.

It seems extraordinary to sell an item whose purpose is to download books to read and then make it unable to do this!
I have downloaded the kindle app to my phone instead and will read from there.

How old is your Kindle? I'm panicking as I'd be lost without mine. It's a Paperwhite (I think)

Affected devices include Kindle 1st and 2nd Generation, Kindle DX and DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5, and Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation.

These are the devices that are affected. They are all about 12 years old, or older.

It’s the same with iPads, iPhones and other devices, it reaches the stage when the older ones cannot support all the new updates etc.

Aveline

How old is your Kindle? I'm panicking as I'd be lost without mine. It's a Paperwhite (I think)

Mine is 2018 ...its fine

From what I read, you can side load books, use other software available to load as well.

Reddit is all over it offering solutions for the affected users, you are not alone

Fyi - it is not unusual for the industry to sunset technology after certain number of years

What amazes me is that your kindle still works and the battery has not failed yet, congrats!

DM if you would like me to send you links and help about how to continue using your kindle, if you want.

I constantly re-read books Smileless, both on my kindle and in real life! I must be weird

No not weird Grandmabatty there are a few I've read more than once.

I was appalled when I read the first part of this story, however as I continued, sadly this is the downside of technology, it improves and upgrades so quickly.

It’s the same with smart phones, Tablets and PC’s.

This doesn’t make it right and it’s annoying, but it is quite “normal”

Aveline

How old is your Kindle? I'm panicking as I'd be lost without mine. It's a Paperwhite (I think)

Mine's a Voyage from 2014 and isn't in the list to be axed (yet). According to Reddit, it's models from 2012 and earlier - including 1st Generation Paperwhite.

Mine is very ancient indeed!

I have two Kindles, the old one is kept downstairs if I do fancy reading in the day, perhaps in the garden in the summer. That one is just pre 2012 so will be affected. The battery is not good on that one, though, it doesn't hold a charge for long.

The new one will be ok but it is very annoying.

At the moment I'm buying 99p books that appeal so my old Kindle will be loaded up ready for the summer. I hope the books will be ok; sometimes they're offered for 99p then the price goes up. The Other Boleyn Girl was on offer the other day but I left it too late and missed the offer.

I do buy and swap proper books too!
It is very annoying.

Yes, I’ve had the same email. I was considering upgrading anyway because my existing one doesn’t have a back light.
They are offering a 20% discount on some of the models, as long as you ensure it is bought directly from them, which is quite a decent offer I think.
It seems to be the way with electronics, doesn’t it, that nothing is designed to last for ever.

It is really costly to carry on supporting old technology - software or hardware. Many people will have upgraded along the way, so it means a lot of expense to support the remaining few systems still in use. Plus the old system may not have the hardware components to work with new software.

My Kindle has done good service, it was one of the first Kindles released but I think it's time bite the bullet and upgrade. I will probably go for a tablet though this time.

I've checked my device. It's an 11th generation Paperwhite so is OK. If it was declared obsolete I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. It's a vital part of my life.

AmberGran

It is really costly to carry on supporting old technology - software or hardware. Many people will have upgraded along the way, so it means a lot of expense to support the remaining few systems still in use. Plus the old system may not have the hardware components to work with new software.

My Kindle has done good service, it was one of the first Kindles released but I think it's time bite the bullet and upgrade. I will probably go for a tablet though this time.

This is how I look at it. Mr Dog has my old (1st generation) kindle, but rarely uses it. I have another one he can have if he wants it, as I recently treated myself to a Paperwhite one. I think the old one must be about 20 years old. I loved it. It had a little keyboard, and if you were very patient you could get the internet on the bus, which was a huge novelty back then. It has been supported all this time, and there can't be many of them left.

When my Kindle kicked the bucket, I replaced it with a Kindle Fire. which was cheaper than an ebook-only Kindle but also doubles as a tablet for using the internet.

Elegran

When my Kindle kicked the bucket, I replaced it with a Kindle Fire. which was cheaper than an ebook-only Kindle but also doubles as a tablet for using the internet.

Hi, that's interesting to know. Thanks.

I have the new colour Kindle and it seems fine so far although all the options are in a different place on the screen.

My previous one was a 2013 Paperwhite but it had become very slow and the battery was not lasting so long.