5typos.net
Amazon Removing Ability to Download Kindle Books to Drive
David Sparks, on macsparky.com:
Amazon is set to disable the “Download & Transfer via USB” feature for e-books starting February 26, 2025. You can get the full scoop at The Verge. If you feel like buying an ebook should include the ability to download said ebook, it’s time to start looking for alternatives.
Not cool Amazon. I use this feature to remove DRM of purchase books to read on my Boox Leaf 2. Writing was on the wall when feature was disabled with new Kindles. I understand that vertical integration requires simplicity, but it’s difficult not to see this hostile effort towards the openness of books.
There is something about this that stinks to me. I pay for the books. I feel like I should be able to download them. I’ve bought hundreds of books from Amazon over the years and this push toward cloud-based model data control feels like crossing a line. Maybe this is a thing with me and I should have realized that I was only purchasing a “license” to read the books instead of “ownership” of the books all along.
I agree with David that this is really a turning point for my participation in the Amazon ecosystem. Sadly, there’s no clear alternative if the ability to unlock books is a priority.