In todays light hearted look at the (non-political) news

[DefTrap]

Kindle (older) user? I'm an owner rather than regular user. Or was ...

https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/08/ ... continued/

Amazon is rewarding long-time Kindle users by ditching support for aging devices, though it is trying to "minimize disruption" for existing customers by dangling a 20 percent discount for new models along with an eBook credit.

As Reg readers know, nothing in tech lasts forever, and so from May 20, 2026, Amazon is "discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier," the company states in an email to customers today.

Affected hardware includes first and second-generation Kindle versions, as well as Kindle DX and DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5 and Kindle Paperwhite 1st generation.

What does this mean for those customers? They can continue to read books already downloaded on these devices but won't be able to "purchase, borrow, or download additional books on them after that date," the email says.

I have an ancient kindle, it just works (I replaced the battery 5 years ago). Slightly miffed. These things are low tech and as clunky as a book for good reason. The 'settings' and download UI are as hopeless as a 20yo device has a right to be, but as a reader it's perfect

[cheb]

I've a KIndle that's probably on The List but it's been in airplane mode since forever. I load book onto it with Calibre.

[Rockburner]

You'll only lose access if Amazon lose their database or you lose your account credentials.

Or the DRM changes, or the license gets sold / change hands, or the author pulls their titles from the platform, you didn't buy the book / title, only a license to read it

All true, however CS appeared to be under the impression that once books were on a Kindle they weren't available to him elsewhere, which is simply false.

[Count Steer]

Physical media is king, be it DVD, CD's or books, they can't take it from you if you can hold it in your hands.

I'm of the same view, mostly.

I have a Kindle that's going to be excommunicated and I wouldn't be particularly upset if everything on it went when they do that. I only ever bought Kindle books that were 'I wonder if I'll like that author's stuff?...worth a punt at £1.49'

I won't be replacing it.

I stopped my Spotify subscription too. Quite happy to use the free version to try stuff and, if I like it, I'll buy the CD.

You're aware that the copy of the book on the kindle is merely that, a copy?
Amazon still have the record of the purchase, and you can download another copy of the book onto any suitable device or app.
You'll only lose access if Amazon lose their database or you lose your account credentials.

Oh, absolutely understand.

I'm unlikely to want to read anything I've purchased on Kindle ever again (with the exception, maybe, of some of the Asimov's SF magazine issues that I had a sub for). Only used it once in the last few years - to download Slenver's book.

I like paper books (which I mostly get from bookshop.org which supports the real independent book shops*). I'm a fan of The Folio Society too for the most cherished tomes.

* Apparently the big bookshop chains are now setting up smaller bookshops that look like independents but aren't. Mr Daunt seems to be involved in most of these things inc Waterstones, Barnes & Noble.

[Horse]

* Apparently the big bookshop chains are now setting up smaller bookshops that look like independents but aren't.

Same happening in the fast food industry. What is seemingly a local independent outlet is actually one of the franchises working online under several different names.

[Rockburner]

I'm of the same view, mostly.

I have a Kindle that's going to be excommunicated and I wouldn't be particularly upset if everything on it went when they do that. I only ever bought Kindle books that were 'I wonder if I'll like that author's stuff?...worth a punt at £1.49'

I won't be replacing it.

I stopped my Spotify subscription too. Quite happy to use the free version to try stuff and, if I like it, I'll buy the CD.

You're aware that the copy of the book on the kindle is merely that, a copy?
Amazon still have the record of the purchase, and you can download another copy of the book onto any suitable device or app.
You'll only lose access if Amazon lose their database or you lose your account credentials.

Oh, absolutely understand.

I'm unlikely to want to read anything I've purchased on Kindle ever again (with the exception, maybe, of some of the Asimov's SF magazine issues that I had a sub for). Only used it once in the last few years - to download Slenver's book.

I like paper books (which I mostly get from bookshop.org which supports the real independent book shops*). I'm a fan of The Folio Society too for the most cherished tomes.

* Apparently the big bookshop chains are now setting up smaller bookshops that look like independents but aren't. Mr Daunt seems to be involved in most of these things inc Waterstones, Barnes & Noble.

I still read the occasional real book. The main problem is that I then have nowhere to store the damn things. Our house does not have a lot of storage space. The only "real" books I currently have are about 5 randoms by my bedside, my Pratchett and Banks collections (the Pratchetts are all in boxes in the loft, I have nowhere else to put them); and I suppose a few more in loft boxes.

[Rockburner]

* Apparently the big bookshop chains are now setting up smaller bookshops that look like independents but aren't.

Same happening in the fast food industry. What is seemingly a local independent outlet is actually one of the franchises working online under several different names.

Not really a surprise when you think about it.

[gremlin]

Not really lighthearted by any means, but you do have to wonder...

Pastor charged after man drowned during baptism

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg3kx8r139o

[Cousin Jack]

Kindle (older) user? I'm an owner rather than regular user. Or was ...

https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/08/ ... continued/

Amazon is rewarding long-time Kindle users by ditching support for aging devices, though it is trying to "minimize disruption" for existing customers by dangling a 20 percent discount for new models along with an eBook credit.

As Reg readers know, nothing in tech lasts forever, and so from May 20, 2026, Amazon is "discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier," the company states in an email to customers today.

Affected hardware includes first and second-generation Kindle versions, as well as Kindle DX and DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5 and Kindle Paperwhite 1st generation.

What does this mean for those customers? They can continue to read books already downloaded on these devices but won't be able to "purchase, borrow, or download additional books on them after that date," the email says.

I have an ancient kindle, it just works (I replaced the battery 5 years ago). Slightly miffed. These things are low tech and as clunky as a book for good reason. The 'settings' and download UI are as hopeless as a 20yo device has a right to be, but as a reader it's perfect

Same here. I need an excuse to buy a new one, so perhaps it is no bad thing.

[Count Steer]

* Apparently the big bookshop chains are now setting up smaller bookshops that look like independents but aren't.

Same happening in the fast food industry. What is seemingly a local independent outlet is actually one of the franchises working online under several different names.

Yup. There's a list of 'stealth' ones somewhere.

Fortunately not something that impacts me.

[Count Steer]

I still read the occasional real book. The main problem is that I then have nowhere to store the damn things. Our house does not have a lot of storage space. The only "real" books I currently have are about 5 randoms by my bedside, my Pratchett and Banks collections (the Pratchetts are all in boxes in the loft, I have nowhere else to put them); and I suppose a few more in loft boxes.

For years I couldn't bear to part with books but now I'm a regular with boxes of the things at Oxfam books and I treat the place like a lending library. (I did the WeBuyBooks thing for a while but decided I'd rather Oxfam make the money than the pittance WBB books paid out).

There's a dichotomy though. Oxfam books are, pretty much, one of the reasons we no longer have a local independent bookshop (or so the owner claimed).

Another place dealing in s/h books opened and failed but they wanted silly ££s for what were clearly ex-public library stock.

[Taipan]

Not really lighthearted by any means, but you do have to wonder...

Pastor charged after man drowned during baptism

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg3kx8r139o

Paddling pool too, apparently. Did the congregation sit on him or something??

[cheb]

* Apparently the big bookshop chains are now setting up smaller bookshops that look like independents but aren't.

Same happening in the fast food industry. What is seemingly a local independent outlet is actually one of the franchises working online under several different names.

See also The Co-Operative Funeral Service. They've buying independent companies and continuing to trade under the old name.

Shabbyy, but unsurprising behaviour, from that shower of hypocrites.

[gremlin]

Not really lighthearted by any means, but you do have to wonder...

Pastor charged after man drowned during baptism

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg3kx8r139o

Paddling pool too, apparently. Did the congregation sit on him or something??

Is a Baptism Bundle a thing, like we used to do at school?

[Dodgy69]

* Apparently the big bookshop chains are now setting up smaller bookshops that look like independents but aren't.

Same happening in the fast food industry. What is seemingly a local independent outlet is actually one of the franchises working online under several different names.

and motorcycle insurers.

[Count Steer]

* Apparently the big bookshop chains are now setting up smaller bookshops that look like independents but aren't.

Same happening in the fast food industry. What is seemingly a local independent outlet is actually one of the franchises working online under several different names.

and motorcycle insurers.

...and vets.

[gremlin]

And the aqueducts...

[ZRX61]

[Mussels]

That is funny and also very scary .

The fake research was then cited in a peer-reviewed journal that only retracted it after Nature contacted the publisher.

[Count Steer]

I think the doctor is more interested is a vintage iMac G3 than the fact that the poor thing has an eye problem.

(Just seen a s/h G3 up for sale for >£700! Funny old world. I gave mine away for £0 to Tenbeers as he thought it would be OK for his mum).