Amazon notified affected users on April 7 that it would discontinue support for 13 devices, including nine Kindle e-readers, Mashable reporter Samantha Mangino wrote, and many readers are searching for amazon kindle alternatives after the notice.
Online communities including BookTok and Bookstagram reacted to the announcement, and Mashable noted Amazon already faced criticism after a large book sale that coincided with Independent Bookstore Day last year, which left some Kindle users dissatisfied.
The Mashable article also warned that switching to another brand will not avoid device retirement, because Kobo has its own history of retiring products and listing unsupported e-readers on its website, and older devices can often keep local books even if they lose internet features.
Kobo Features And Migration Limits
Mangino described several reasons readers might prefer Kobo, starting with hardware differences such as page-turning buttons found on models like the Kobo Libra Colour, and an internal gyroscope that automatically rotates the display when held in the opposite hand.
The report highlighted Kobo extras including a native Bluetooth remote for hands-free page turns and native Libby integration, which lets users log a library card directly on the device although only one Libby library card can be active at a time.
The article cautioned that users cannot transfer purchased books protected by DRM from Kindle stores to Kobo devices, though borrowed or purchased titles remain accessible through other apps such as the Kindle app, and Mashable referenced PCMag for tips on preserving older Kindles.
Mangino also compared pricing, noting Kindle Color models cost about $199.99 while a comparable Kobo Clara Colour is priced around $159.99, the same price listed for a Kindle Paperwhite, and she urged readers to weigh features against the reality of software updates and planned obsolescence.
