Older Kindles Will Lose Internet Access: How to Keep Passing Books

07/29/2021 11:09

• Clarín.com

• Technology

Updated 07/29/2021 11:09 AM

Older Kindle reading devices

using 2G or 3G networks will not be able to connect to the internet

via mobile networks starting in December, preventing them from downloading new content.

It happens that the first and second generation Kindle

did not have access to Wi-Fi

, they used the mobile data networks that cell phones use.

As mobile network operators

are phasing out 2G and 3G networks

, this makes the Kindle (1st and 2nd generation) and Kindle DX (2nd generation) unable to connect and download new books.

Amazon began to notify its users, at least in the United States, that as of December older Kindle models that do not support WiFi networks will

no longer be able to connect to the Internet

, as detailed on the Help and Customer Service page. client.

In the email that Amazon has sent, the company emphasizes that you can still enjoy the content in possession downloaded on these devices, you simply will not be able to download new books from the Kindle Store unless you do it over Wi-Fi.

Bezos, in 2009, introducing the Kindle DX.

AP Photo

"Starting in 2021, some older-generation Kindle e-book readers will not be able to connect to the Internet using a

cellular connection over 2G or 3G networks

," Amazon told its US customers this week.

Another series of devices will lose said mobile connectivity, but with support for WiFi they will still be able to connect to download new content.

Old Kindle users will be able to keep the content they already have downloaded, but they will depend on the connection through WiFi (those who have it) to access new ones.

The first generations of Kindle had a physical keyboard.

AFP photo

“While arguably the company could do more to help affected customers (perhaps by replacing older devices entirely), this problem is largely beyond Amazon's control.

All carriers have committed to different time frames for when the older 2G and 3G networks will go out of business, with AT&T setting the date for February 22, 2022, T-Mobile targeting April 2022 and Verizon shooting for the 31st. December 2022, "wrote The Verge, which broke the news.

An alternative: Gauge and USB cable

Caliber, the program to transfer books to the ereader.

Photo Gauge

While it is true that the official way of passing books runs out of support for these models, there is a way to solve it: using a USB cable and a program that runs on the computer.

The program is called Caliber, it is free and allows you to convert and transfer books to the Kindle in a simple way.

Even though this software is not official from Amazon, it works perfectly.

The problem is that the company does not propose these alternatives and seems to promote the planned obsolescence of its devices.

Models that will only work on Kindle WiFi

• Keyboard (3rd generation)

  
  

• Kindle Touch (4th generation)

  
  

• Kindle Paperwhite (5th, 6th, and 7th Generation)

  
  

• Kindle Voyage (7th Generation)

  
  

• Kindle Oasis (8th Generation)

The mail that Amazon is sending in the United States.

The Amazon email with the notification.

Amazon Photo

SL

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