Writing on the wall for an old friend

My beloved Kindle is about to be deprived of its direct access to the Amazon store, as the company begins to phase out its support of the venerable device.

“While you can continue reading on your device, as of August 17, 2022, store functionality will no longer be available,” the email announcement said. “This change only affects certain devices introduced 10+ years ago (listed below). As of August 17, you’ll no longer be able to browse, buy, or borrow books directly from these Kindle devices … You can still access your existing library from your Kindle, deliver newly purchased or borrowed books to it, or download books from your ‘Archived Items.’” For now.

The Kindle has been the most durable and long-lasting of all the electronic devices I have acquired in recent years. I much prefer its “e-ink” display to the LCD lights. It feels more like reading a book compared with other iterations of the Kindle app.

But someone has decided it has served its purpose long enough, and it soon will be put out to pasture. I, the vinyl aficionado, will continue to use the comfortable old tech as long as I can. I’m content with my Quicken 2013 software and my iPhone 7s, too. If they continue to do their jobs efficiently, why do I need a shiny new version?

Published by WarrenBluhm

Wordsmith and podcaster, Warren is a reporter, editor and storyteller who lives near the shores of Green Bay with his wife, two golden retrievers, Dejah and Summer, and Blackberry, an insistent cat. Author of It's Going to Be All Right, Echoes of Freedom Past, Full, Refuse to be Afraid, Gladness is Infectious, 24 flashes, How to Play a Blue Guitar, Myke Phoenix: The Complete Novelettes, A Bridge at Crossroads, The Imaginary Bomb, A Scream of Consciousness, and The Imaginary Revolution.

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