Kindle’s Top Free Feature Now Costs $60 Annually
Starting February 19, the popular feature Send to Kindle of Instapaper will transition to a paid model. Users will need to pay $6 per month or $60 annually to maintain access to this service. The change arises from the significant server costs associated with processing and emailing articles to Kindle devices.
Details of the Change
Instapaper, a widely used read-it-later application, announced that it is implementing a paywall due to the resource-intensive nature of sending articles to Kindle. This process includes tasks like text processing, image collection, and data conversion to a Kindle-compatible format. Brian Donohue, Instapaper’s lead engineer, provided insight on Reddit regarding the operational challenges this feature entails.
Why the Subscription?
- Over 100,000 users have subscribed to the Kindle digest, mostly on free accounts.
- The service has been operating at a loss due to the rising server and bandwidth expenses.
- With the new subscription, users will also benefit from additional features such as full-text search, unlimited notes, and permanent access to saved items.
Alternative Options for Kindle Users
If users prefer not to opt for Instapaper Premium, they can explore other options for sending content to their Kindles. Manual file downloads and USB transfers are alternative methods that require more effort. Additionally, Amazon’s Send to Kindle browser extension remains available.
Kobo Users Benefit
Interestingly, Kobo users will not face these charges. The integration with Instapaper utilizes an API instead of Amazon’s emailing system, allowing Kobo owners to continue accessing this feature for free.
As the update approaches, Kindle and Instapaper users must consider their options. The transition to a paid feature reflects the ongoing needs for sustainable service amidst rising operational costs.
