Email from Amazon:

Starting May 20, 2026 we are discontinuing support for Kindle devices released in 2012 or earlier.

Affected devices include Kindle 1st and 2nd Generation, Kindle DX and DX Graphite, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5, and Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation.

Why? My 1st Gen device is working perfectly. They are creating eWaste.

@NormanDunbar
I've had my 1st gen Kindle in airplane mode the past 7 years (don't use Amazon services any longer). I'm side loading all books I buy via Calibre. Works well.
@worldwidewerner Quick question. How do you download new books. Amazon stopped allowing book downloads (to PCs etc) some time back.

@NormanDunbar
Oh. Hmm. They updated the software on the old kindle to lock side loading? I was not aware. As I said my kindle has not connected to the internet or the Amazon servers for over 7 years.

I just buy books from any shop, download it to my pc, load it in calibre and ship it to my kindle via USB.

Your Kindle's not obsolete, it just needs a jailbreak - and I'll show you how it's done

You can transform your old Kindle - even a bricked device - into the ultimate open-source reader. Here's how.

ZDNET

@worldwidewerner I'll take a look, thanks. I've collected a few recommendations since I tooted about the shutdown, so I'll have a bit of a binge session shortly!

Thanks again.