Live data from Hacker News

Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

niemanlab.org

51–60 of 259 posts

Re: Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

#51
While I loved the kindle and still own one, I have since moved on an eink android reader with an isolated google account.

Calibre, Overdrive, RSS, Syncthing and obsidian plus a small portable Bluetooth keyboard and I can read and take notes anywhere.

Re: Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

#52
Cutting off access to information in such a barbaric, offhanded way is the logical conclusion of the monopoly structure that enabled Amazon to do this without repercussion. A triple monopoly in this case Amazon/Kindle/ E ink.

This will disproportionately impact those who do not live in the US/UK and rely on their subscription as the only reasonable means of timely access.

I urge you to write to write to jeff@amazon.com to voice your displeasure.

Re: Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

#53

While I loved the kindle and still own one, I have since moved on an eink android reader with an isolated google account. Calibre, Overdrive, RSS, Syncthing and obsidian plus a small portable Bluetooth keyboard and I can read and take notes anywhere.

You seem to be describing an Android tablet with e-ink display. Aside from Remarkable, what else is out there worth buying?

Re: Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

#54
They need to at least provide an option for other publishers to also get their content on the kindle, other than Amazon’s own subscription service.

Otherwise they are using an advantage in one market (devices) to obtain an advantage in a different market (online content).

The EU will eat them alive if they try that anti-competitive behaviour.

Re: Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

#55
post #3

I had to read the email I got about this several times because it didn't seem to make sense. Hang on, my New York Times subscription is going to end in September and then... that's it? The Kindle is wonderful for reading newspapers on, and now - what? And why? I'm sure that someone has a very good reason for the change. I'm also sure that I've never seen a deprecation so poorly communicated.

Absolutely agree on it being poorly communicated, only heard about in this thread!

In terms of alternatives, buying an Android powered E-reader and subscribing to the publication via the app or the e-newspaper service could work, although it will not be as optimized for E ink of course. The advantage of Boox and other Android E-readers is that you can access whatever you want, and the browsing experience for text heavy websites is decent.

Re: Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

#56
post #3

I had to read the email I got about this several times because it didn't seem to make sense. Hang on, my New York Times subscription is going to end in September and then... that's it? The Kindle is wonderful for reading newspapers on, and now - what? And why? I'm sure that someone has a very good reason for the change. I'm also sure that I've never seen a deprecation so poorly communicated.

Absolutely agree on it being poorly communicated, only heard about in this thread! In terms of alternatives, buying an Android powered E-reader and subscribing to the publication via the app or the e-newspaper service could work, although it will not be as optimized for E ink of course. The advantage of Boox and other Android E-readers is that you can access whatever you want, and the browsing experience for text hea…

Exactly! Especially since most mobile browsers have a decent reading mode these days.

Re: Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

#58

FWIW the Apple News app has an incredible number of Magazines and Newspapers. News+ $10 monthly subscription is a solid deal.

I has the same problem as outlined higher up: it moves money from the newspaper to the tech moloch, that can then exert control over the news. The paper will be forced to "popularize" its article stream (Did Aliens Invade the White House?) to the detriment of free news gathering and democracy, all for 30 silver coins.

Re: Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

#59
post #19
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why haven’t you invested in a open source alternative that doesn’t limit your choices?

What would an "open source alternative" to The Economist look like exactly?

I meant the e reader, not the economist, to clarify.

Re: Amazon shuts newspaper and magazine subscriptions for Kindle and print

#60
post #2

I am really disappointed by this. These days, I mostly use my (fifth) Kindle when flying on aircraft, and there I mostly read The Economist or The Atlantic. They don't publish offline media for laptops. I don't own a tablet. My phone battery is precious on trips. I guess I'll just look for paper copies at the terminal again...?

Did you know that airplanes have power outlets at foot level, sometimes USB ports higher up? You could simply bring your phone charger with you on the plane..

I no longer have USB-A, which is the only USB receptacle I’ve ever seen on a plane.
Post reply on HN