Amazon Eliminates "Download & Transfer via USB" Option for Kindles
Amazon is discontinuing its "Download & transfer via USB" option for Kindle purchases, allowing users to download e-books to their computers and transfer them to older devices without Wi-Fi connectivity. This change eliminates a loophole that made it easier for people to store copies of their e-book purchases locally, reducing the risk of changes or removals from the Kindle store. The new policy only affects direct downloads from Amazon's website, while users can still load existing files onto Kindles via USB and use third-party software.
- By eliminating this option, Amazon is essentially forcing users to adopt a more centralized approach to managing their e-book libraries, potentially limiting flexibility and portability for those who value it.
- Will the shift towards Amazon-centric management of e-book libraries lead to increased pressure on other platforms, such as Calibre or libgen.org, to adapt to new policies and ensure continued accessibility for users?