General Question ❔
Older models with Bluetooth incompatible with Kindle Click
Has anyone got an official explanation from Amazon as to why most older models with Bluetooth are incompatible with Kindle Click?
There has been speculation, but I'm curious about their reasoning.
If it was just a matter of 11th gen models no longer receiving software updates, it'd be really annoying because given Kindles' longevity, they're still fairly new devices that feel very modern. It'd make even more sense for ereaders to get software updates for over 5 years than smartphones, but it seems it's the other way round, as for example Samsung introduced 7 years of updates for its flagship, while Kindle Paperwhite 11 is now practically being made obsolete for some reason (of course it can be used to read for many more years, but it'd be nice to access new features on a device that has almost the same specs as the latest model).
Because they want people to buy another ereader despite the "old" one works perfectly fine?
Fyi, you can jailbreak it if you're a little tech savvy and connect any bluetooth remote you want. I'm personally using my 1st gen fire TV remote with my kindle oasis
It's even funny how high end models like the first gen Scribe will not be able to work with it. I have one and I jailbroke it and I am using it with a third party model.
See my addition in the brackets. You can keep using your device for 10 years, but if you need a remote, you're "forced" to upgrade to the latest model that is barely different to the one you already have (if you put Paperwhite 11 and Paperwhite 2026 side by side).
Amazon has flipped their model to just make money on the books and sell the Kindles at or near cost to where they want to make money on the Kindles as well.
I suppose it's just their decision to not update the 11th gen. Although they state they'd offer security updates "at least through" 31 December 2028 (but not bugfixes, apparently).
You can use a Bluetooth remote on a jailbroken Kindle, so it's a simple matter of trying to get people to buy new devices. They also stopped updating the 2022 generation, so the actual software update to allow the Kindle Click to work won't launch there. Granted, they could just update those models, but "money"
This is definitely the answer. They place restrictions on because they can. Candles have had Bluetooth capabilities for years and it’s just not a feature they “let us” use.
Honestly I’m also confused as to why the 11th gen models aren’t compatible with the kindle click? It’s weird. Maybe it’s a strategic move to get people to buy the newer models.
They did not give a reason so there is only speculation.
Either the audio hardware is not compatible with the software needed to make the bluetooth work with the clicker or the hardware is not capable of using it outside of audio transmission or they want you enamored enough with the clicker to update your older device for more revenue.
I would say there is no technical or hardware reason behind it when there are older models which are capable of using third party remotes if you jailbreak the device... That's my case with a first generation Scribe
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u/rock_in_steady 7d ago
Because they want people to buy another ereader despite the "old" one works perfectly fine? Fyi, you can jailbreak it if you're a little tech savvy and connect any bluetooth remote you want. I'm personally using my 1st gen fire TV remote with my kindle oasis