Amazon is Disabling Old Kindles... Buy One of These Instead

Overview

Amazon is officially ending support for older “pre-203” Kindle devices on May 20, 2026, effectively turning affected Kindles into “bricks” for new access. The video argues Amazon’s ecosystem design—its locked, registered-device model—is the main cause of why otherwise functional hardware loses usability.

What changes on May 20, 2026 (impact on old Kindles)

• Users will no longer be able to purchase, borrow, or download books on affected devices.
• Previously downloaded books may still be readable initially.
• But de-registering the device (via settings or a factory reset) may prevent re-registration and any future use, according to Amazon—making the device effectively unusable.

Why this is criticized

• The speaker claims Kindle e-readers should still be able to open the same ebook file formats they’ve historically supported.
• The problem is framed as a consequence of Amazon’s walled-garden approach, where content delivery and file addition depend heavily on Amazon services and device registration.

Comparison: Kobo vs Kindle (ecosystem openness)

The video contrasts Amazon with Kobo as more “open”:

• DRM still exists on Kobo, but Kobo provides a first-party guide for reading its DRM ebooks on third-party devices.
• Kobo supports a more straightforward workflow:
  • For non-Amazon sources (DRM-free), users can drag-and-drop files via USB to the device.
• Kindle limitations:
  • Some file types can be side-loaded, but generally Amazon relies on “Send to Kindle”, which requires the device to be registered and online.
• Library integration:
  • Kobo has native Libby integration (download directly from a local library).
  • Kindle can use Libby too, but the workflow is described as more convoluted (borrowing via another device and syncing afterward).

Other alternatives mentioned

• “Books” (Android-based e-readers) are described as removing ecosystems entirely:
  • Install apps like Kindle, Kobo, and Libby on the same device.
  • Obtain ebooks from different sources and read in third-party reader apps.
  • “Books Go 6” is cited as a basic 6-inch option at $149, positioned as close in price to entry-level Kindles without ads.
• Additional brands discussed: Pocketbook, Bigme/Biggney, Nook.
• Higher-end alternatives:
  • Kobo Scribe-type category (touchscreen + stylus referenced)
  • Kindle Coloroft / Kindle Color-type device mentioned earlier in relation to a prior review.

Workarounds and “still usable” paths for bricked-bound devices

The video offers mitigation strategies—though it notes uncertainty after Amazon’s cutoff.

1) Sideloading with Calibre (USB transfer)

Even if devices are de-registered, the speaker says you can sideload ebooks using Calibre:

• Connect Kindle via USB
• Use “Send to device” in Calibre
• Calibre converts ebooks into a Kindle-compatible format

Important caveat:

• The future after May 20, 2026 is not guaranteed.
• The speaker claims testing succeeded on an unregistered Kindle Touch and unregistered Kindle Scribe, with files still opening normally.
• The video suggests Amazon likely knows about this “unregistered sideloading” behavior but may not publicly acknowledge or block it.

2) Jailbreaking (firmware-dependent)

The video claims Kindle jailbreaking may be possible for certain firmware versions:

• Says firmware below ~5.18.6 / 6 can be jailbroken (auto-caption wording may be imperfect).

Claimed benefits:

• Expanded compatibility for side-loading (potentially drag-and-drop without needing a special app)
• Potentially removing ads

It also states:

• Jailbreak guides become outdated because Amazon patches/changes firmware.
• Jailbreaking likely does not restore the ability to read purchased Amazon books if the device has been de-registered.

Resources referenced (linked in description)

• A jailbreaking community wiki
• A ZDNet walkthrough for jailbreaking a pre-203 Kindle DX

Broader conclusion

• The speaker doesn’t fully blame Amazon for discontinuing development for old hardware (14 years is described as a long support cycle).
• However, the key criticism is that Amazon is unique in allegedly rendering devices unusable by combining content service shutdown with ecosystem locking.
• The video notes Amazon has occasionally improved aspects (e.g., DRM-free ebook option added), but has also removed functionality (e.g., DRM-protected ebook download option to computer).

Main speakers / sources

• Main speaker: The host of the channel (framed as “LTT” / Linus-style branding; exact name not stated in the subtitles)
• Referenced source: ZDNet (for a jailbreaking walkthrough)
• Referenced communities/resources: a Kindle modding/jailbreak wiki and Calibre (tool)