Multiple reports indicate that Amazon will end support for older Kindle models manufactured in 2012 and earlier, effective May 20. Users can still download a significant portion of books to their devices before that date, but the exact list of affected models has not been confirmed. It remains unclear whether users will be able to read previously downloaded books after support ends, and the number of users impacted by this change is unknown.
As an alternative to the Kindle, the Kobo Clara Colour offers several features that may appeal to readers. According to multiple reports, the device is compatible with Libby and Overdrive, allowing users to borrow books from local libraries. It has a 6-inch screen with a paperlike texture, is waterproof, and includes four different highlighter colours. However, the Kobo Clara Colour has a slightly shorter battery life than a Kindle, though the exact difference has not been specified. The device's screen size and paperlike texture aim to mimic the feel of real paper, enhancing the reading experience. Its waterproof design allows for worry-free reading by the pool or in the bath. The four highlighter colours enable users to color-code notes and passages, a feature not available on standard Kindles.
Amazon has not allowed Kindle ebooks to be transferred to other devices, a restriction that contrasts with Kobo's approach. Kobo offers a subscription for £8.99 a month that allows readers to loan books from the Kobo library, providing an alternative to Amazon's ecosystem. This subscription model gives users access to a vast library of ebooks without purchasing each title individually. Other alternatives beyond the Kobo Clara Colour and Kindle Paperwhite may exist, but they have not been widely reported.