Amazon Kindle Lifecycle: End Of Life And Support Status
Last updated on January 9, 2024
Kindle is an Amazon product used to read books, digitally. In technical terms, these are called “e-readers” which give the look and feel of a typical book, but on a screen.
Book readers and audiobook listeners can use such e-readers to avoid carrying around hefty books, gain access to multiple books at the same time, using the same device, and get access to thousands of new books from the ebook store.
Support status guide
End of life (EOL) is the end of a product’s useful life. When a product reaches the end of its life cycle, the manufacturer no longer supports it. The following table explains the different phases of a product’s lifecycle. Testing status is when the product is initially released and EOL is when product support is no longer offered. The time between these two points is the support timeframe.
Testing
The software is not yet publicly available. It is in testing phase i.e., alpha, beta, release preview etc.
Active
The software is actively supported by the vendor.
Phasing Out
The software will soon reach its end of life. You need to look for upgrade or migration options. The software will automatically go into phasing out status 2 months before end of life.
End Of Life
The software is no longer supported by the vendor. You need to make sure your system and environment are safe.
Version
Released
Security Support
(30 November 2022)
(13 September 2022)
(27 October 2021)
(24 July 2019)
(10 April 2019)
(7 November 2018)
(31 October 2017)
(22 June 2016)
(27 April 2016)
(30 June 2015)
(4 November 2014)
(1 April 2021)
(2 October 2014)
(1 October 2019)
(30 September 2013)
(1 October 2019)
(1 October 2012)
(26 June 2015)
(6 September 2012)
(28 September 2011)
(28 September 2011)
(27 August 2010)
(10 June 2009)
(23 February 2009)
(19 November 2007)
Kindle devices normally do not receive new features through the updates. However, they do receive security updates. There is no defined time till when a Kindle device may be supported, but Amazon promises that a device will be supported for at least 4 years after it has been removed from the Amazon store.
In observation, some devices have been supported for over 4 years.
The updates first need to be downloaded onto a computer before being installed on the Kindle device.
Amazon offers different Kindle versions, each with its benefits and caveats. Here are the salient features of each Kindle type:
- Kindle (Basic): The cheapest and smallest of all Kindle types. Limited screen control features. 6″ screen.
- Kindle Paperwhite: 17 integrated LEDs for a brighter display with a size of 6.8 inches.
- Kindle Paperwhite Signature: 17 LEDs for a brighter screen. 6.8″ display. Auto-adjusting light. Qi wireless charging. Additional storage space.
- Kindle Oasis: Does not have a USB-C port. Slightly bigger than the rest. Unique asymmetrical design for grip, with two buttons to turn pages. 7″ screen with 25 integrated LEDs. Auto-adjusting light and automatic rotating pages according to orientation.
- Kindle Scribe: Only comes in a single color. Slightly bigger than the rest. 10.2″ screen with 35 LEDs. Auto-adjusting light with automatic rotating pages according to the orientation. Has a magnetic pen. Best battery life (up to 12 weeks reading time – 3 weeks writing). Ideal for taking notes.
EOLs
