Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is currently investigating Amazon for their failure to equip early Kindles with appropriate internet compatible technology adaptable to foreseeably changing cellular data networks. Amazon recently announced that all of their early Kindles in the U.S., as is detailed below, will lose cellular capability as U.S. carriers plan to phase out 2G and 3G cellular networks beginning in December 2021. Some of these Kindles were never Wi-Fi compatible in the first place and, thus, will lose access to the internet altogether. Regardless, it is hard to imagine that Amazon could not have predicted cellular network trends and adjusted their technology for consumers’ longer term Kindle use. Without internet access, specifically for devices without even an option to use Wi-Fi, Kindle owners will be left with only the apps they’ve already downloaded or will be relegated to use a USB connection to another device should they want to upload new data or otherwise make changes requiring internet connection. For Kindles that do have Wi-Fi connectivity as an option, the versatility with which they once were able to search the web or download apps to their Kindle is now limited to times where Wi-Fi is available.
Impacted devices include:
- The 1st and 2nd generation Kindle (no Wi-Fi capability)
- 2nd generation Kindle DX no Wi-Fi capability)
- Kindle Keyboard (3rd generation)
- Kindle Touch (4th generation)
- Kindle Paperwhite (5th, 6th, and 7th generation)
- Kindle Voyage (7th generation)
- Kindle Oasis (8th generation)
To appease consumers, Amazon has launched a trade in program as follows:
- Kindle (1st Generation) can be traded for a free Kindle Oasis (10th Generation) device and cover.
- Customers with Kindle (1st and 2nd Generation), Kindle DX (2nd Generation), and Kindle Keyboard (3rd Generation) can receive $70 off a new Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Oasis, plus $25 in eBook credits.
- Customers with Kindle Touch (4th Generation), Kindle Paperwhite (5th Generation, 6th Generation, and 7th Generation), Kindle Voyage (7th Generation), and Kindle Oasis (8th Generation) can receive $50 off a new Kindle Paperwhite or Kindle Oasis, plus $15 in eBook credits.
However, consumers should not have to face this decision in the first place wherein they can or have to trade in their device for a newer one just to maintain the service for which they originally paid.
Are you a Kindle user who received notice from Amazon that your device is to lose part or all of its internet searching capability due to the shut-down of certain 2G and 3G cellular networks?
If so, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call at (202) 470-3520.
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The lawyers at Migliaccio & Rathod LLP have years of experience in class action litigation against large corporations, including in cases involving unfair and deceptive trade practices. More information about our current cases and investigations is available on our blog.