Amazon will be shutting down its Kindle e-book store in China by June 2023, the company announced, putting an end to its nine-year venture in the market. It has already asked its retail suppliers to stop selling the device.

The Kindle China e-bookstore will stop selling e-books from June 30 next year, Amazon&nbsp;announced on its Weibo account on Thursday.

This means that customers in China will not be able to buy new e-books after that day and won’t be able to download books they have purchased after that year. It said that it will offer refunds for Chinese customers who bought a Kindle this year.

It will also remove the Kindle app from Chinese app stores in 2024, it added.

Even though Amazon did not give a reason for its retreat from the Chinese e-book market, it’s definitely not the first US tech giant to pull out of the market in recent days.

Other US firms like Airbnb, Yahoo and Microsoft's LinkedIn scaled back their operations last year and replaced it with a jobs board with no social networking functions.

The announcements come in the wake of China’s strict data privacy law specifying how companies collect and store data takes effect. Apart from that, China’s harsh internet rules and growing domestic competition have posed difficulties for these firms.

However, Amazon said that its other businesses such as logistics, ads and devices, will continue.

“Amazon’s long-term development commitment in China will not change,” Amazon said in the Weibo post. “We have established an extensive business base in China and will continue to innovate and invest.”

Last December,&nbsp;a Reuters investigation&nbsp;detailed Amazon’s efforts to win favour in China, including that it collaborated with the country’s propaganda arm to launch a “China Books” portal, partly in an effort to expand its Kindle business in China.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

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Amazon will be shutting down its Kindle e-book store in China by June 2023, the company announced, putting an end to its nine-year venture in the market. It has already asked its retail suppliers to stop selling the device.

Amazon will be shutting down its Kindle e-book store in China by June 2023, the company announced, putting an end to its nine-year venture in the market. It has already asked its retail suppliers to stop selling the device. The Kindle China e-bookstore will stop selling e-books from June 30 next year, Amazon announced on its Weibo account on Thursday. This means that customers in China will not be able to buy new e-books after that day and won’t be able to download books they have purchased after that year. It said that it will offer refunds for Chinese customers who bought a Kindle this year. It will also remove the Kindle app from Chinese app stores in 2024, it added. Even though Amazon did not give a reason for its retreat from the Chinese e-book market, it’s definitely not the first US tech giant to pull out of the market in recent days. Other US firms like Airbnb, Yahoo and Microsoft's LinkedIn scaled back their operations last year and replaced it with a jobs board with no social networking functions. The announcements come in the wake of China’s strict data privacy law specifying how companies collect and store data takes effect. Apart from that, China’s harsh internet rules and growing domestic competition have posed difficulties for these firms. However, Amazon said that its other businesses such as logistics, ads and devices, will continue. “Amazon’s long-term development commitment in China will not change,” Amazon said in the Weibo post. “We have established an extensive business base in China and will continue to innovate and invest.” Last December, a Reuters investigation detailed Amazon’s efforts to win favour in China, including that it collaborated with the country’s propaganda arm to launch a “China Books” portal, partly in an effort to expand its Kindle business in China. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Amazon to pull the plug on Kindle in China amid growing coemption, harsh data privacy rules

Why would anyone want to forego the scent and feel of a new hardback?

Why would anyone want to forego the joy of entering a library or a bookstore amid the cobbled lanes of a market?

Why would anyone forego the nostalgia of holding on to a first edition, only to be reminded of carefree childhood days?

<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 500px;">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th scope="row">Specifications</th>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<th scope="row">Price</th>
			<td>Rs 13,999</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<th scope="row">Storage</th>
			<td>8 GB</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<th scope="row">Weight</th>
			<td>205 gms</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<th scope="row">Battery life</th>
			<td>10 weeks</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<th scope="row">Display</th>
			<td>6.8-inch</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<th scope="row">Resolution</th>
			<td>330 ppi</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

These are the questions that cross my mind every time someone says the word "e-book". The answer is always the same — convenience trumps nostalgia.

Technology makes us all adapt to new habits, new lifestyle choices and new modes of unwinding.

The new Kindle Paperwhite is my latest technological addiction.

For all the naysayers who have already denounced this review because for them, nothing beats the adventures of deep-diving into a hardback, hear me out.

What if I told you, you can store thousands of books, in this gadget? What if I told you, you can dump it into your handbag or laptop bag without the battery running out on you in the middle of a plot twist of a nail-biting thriller or that&nbsp;you can read at leisure at night without needing a night light or disturbing your partner?

Still not convinced? Here's my review of the new Kindle Paperwhite. The Paperwhite is available for Rs 13,999 and is available in black with 8 GB of storage. There is also a more expensive 'Signature' edition price at Rs 17,999 with a bigger storage option of 32 GB.

<h3>Setting your Kindle up</h3>

Setting up your new Kindle is quite easy. Switch it on and follow the instructions on the screen. I would recommend you pair the Kindle Paperwhite with the Kindle app on your smartphone and register your device. If you are an existing user, your purchased books will automatically show up. Head to the Kindle store and its virtual library, and discover more.

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<h3>Slip it into your handbag or your duffel bag</h3>

The primary argument for the Kindle has always been its portability, how easily it can be slipped into your carry-on without weighing you down. The new Kindle Paperwhite weighs only 205 grams, can be easily held in one hand and resembles a really thin tablet. The 6.8-inch display provides enough real estate to enjoy your favourite book under the winter sun, in a cosy cafe, in a busy subway ride or even under the blanket.

If you are a habitual Kindle user, you will not notice any differences in the new model on first look. The rectangular slab is easy to hold and use. The bigger screen combined with 300 ppi resolution will ensure that you can race through your favourite book without any strain on the eyes. I also liked the warm backlight which comes in hand during night-time reading because of which your partner or bedfellow will not be disturbed. You also get more backlight LEDs which are only noticeable when you use the gadget for hours at a stretch.

<h3>This Kindle won't die on you in the middle of a plot twist</h3>

The new Kindle offers a 10-week battery life. I usually take all claims with a pinch of salt since a gadget's lifespan and battery life always depends on its user's lifestyle and habits. I have been using the Kindle Paperwhite for around four weeks now and I am yet to charge it. If you switch on airplane mode on the Kindle, I reckon that battery will hit the 10-week battery claim easily. However, if you connect your Kindle to Wi-Fi, you would be able to look up complex words with only a minor dent in the battery life.

Let's tell you about the most exciting aspect about the new Kindle. Alas, you get a USB-C charger. The same cable that you use for your phones, tablets and even laptops can now be used to charge your Kindle. This is what makes life simpler for the user and reduces the spaghetti of cables in your travel bag. I would definitely be travelling with my Kindle for my next holiday if only to make use of a single cable to charge multiple devices. Even when you need to charge your Kindle, it can be done in around 2.5 hours or so.

Read by the pool but at your own risk!

If you are fortunate enough to have a bathtub in your home or are headed for a beach holiday, you can carry the Kindle along with you since it comes with an IPX8 rating which means it's "waterproof". Having said that, please don't dunk or immerse it in water. But a spill here or a fall there won't harm your Kindle.

<h3>Should you buy it?</h3>

At nearly Rs 14,000, it's not an "affordable" investment. However, I know of avid readers who scout tiny lanes in busy markets to find a book and immerse themselves in a plot for days. For those readers, the Kindle Paperwhite is a great investment. If you already have a Paperwhite edition, I wouldn't recommend upgrading but for first-time buyers, this is the perfect Kindle.

I also recommend testing out features like the auto-adjusting front light and the Dark mode which makes night-time reading easier on the eyes.

The new Kindle Paperwhite is faster and smoother than its predecessor and comes pretty close to the feel of a real hardback without the need for great lighting to enjoy your favourite book. With the holiday season coming up, the Kindle Paperwhite also makes for a great gift for friends and family.&nbsp;

After all, what could be a better gift than one which encourages reading?

Why would anyone want to forego the scent and feel of a new hardback? Why would anyone want to forego the joy of entering a library or a bookstore amid the cobbled lanes of a market?

Why would anyone want to forego the scent and feel of a new hardback? Why would anyone want to forego the joy of entering a library or a bookstore amid the cobbled lanes of a market? Why would anyone forego the nostalgia of holding on to a first edition, only to be reminded of carefree childhood days? Specifications Price Rs 13,999 Storage 8 GB Weight 205 gms Battery life 10 weeks Display 6.8-inch Resolution 330 ppi These are the questions that cross my mind every time someone says the word "e-book". The answer is always the same — convenience trumps nostalgia. Technology makes us all adapt to new habits, new lifestyle choices and new modes of unwinding. The new Kindle Paperwhite is my latest technological addiction. For all the naysayers who have already denounced this review because for them, nothing beats the adventures of deep-diving into a hardback, hear me out. What if I told you, you can store thousands of books, in this gadget? What if I told you, you can dump it into your handbag or laptop bag without the battery running out on you in the middle of a plot twist of a nail-biting thriller or that you can read at leisure at night without needing a night light or disturbing your partner? Still not convinced? Here's my review of the new Kindle Paperwhite. The Paperwhite is available for Rs 13,999 and is available in black with 8 GB of storage. There is also a more expensive 'Signature' edition price at Rs 17,999 with a bigger storage option of 32 GB. Setting your Kindle up Setting up your new Kindle is quite easy. Switch it on and follow the instructions on the screen. I would recommend you pair the Kindle Paperwhite with the Kindle app on your smartphone and register your device. If you are an existing user, your purchased books will automatically show up. Head to the Kindle store and its virtual library, and discover more. Slip it into your handbag or your duffel bag The primary argument for the Kindle has always been its portability, how easily it can be slipped into your carry-on without weighing you down. The new Kindle Paperwhite weighs only 205 grams, can be easily held in one hand and resembles a really thin tablet. The 6.8-inch display provides enough real estate to enjoy your favourite book under the winter sun, in a cosy cafe, in a busy subway ride or even under the blanket. If you are a habitual Kindle user, you will not notice any differences in the new model on first look. The rectangular slab is easy to hold and use. The bigger screen combined with 300 ppi resolution will ensure that you can race through your favourite book without any strain on the eyes. I also liked the warm backlight which comes in hand during night-time reading because of which your partner or bedfellow will not be disturbed. You also get more backlight LEDs which are only noticeable when you use the gadget for hours at a stretch. This Kindle won't die on you in the middle of a plot twist The new Kindle offers a 10-week battery life. I usually take all claims with a pinch of salt since a gadget's lifespan and battery life always depends on its user's lifestyle and habits. I have been using the Kindle Paperwhite for around four weeks now and I am yet to charge it. If you switch on airplane mode on the Kindle, I reckon that battery will hit the 10-week battery claim easily. However, if you connect your Kindle to Wi-Fi, you would be able to look up complex words with only a minor dent in the battery life. Let's tell you about the most exciting aspect about the new Kindle. Alas, you get a USB-C charger. The same cable that you use for your phones, tablets and even laptops can now be used to charge your Kindle. This is what makes life simpler for the user and reduces the spaghetti of cables in your travel bag. I would definitely be travelling with my Kindle for my next holiday if only to make use of a single cable to charge multiple devices. Even when you need to charge your Kindle, it can be done in around 2.5 hours or so. Read by the pool but at your own risk! If you are fortunate enough to have a bathtub in your home or are headed for a beach holiday, you can carry the Kindle along with you since it comes with an IPX8 rating which means it's "waterproof". Having said that, please don't dunk or immerse it in water. But a spill here or a fall there won't harm your Kindle. Should you buy it? At nearly Rs 14,000, it's not an "affordable" investment. However, I know of avid readers who scout tiny lanes in busy markets to find a book and immerse themselves in a plot for days. For those readers, the Kindle Paperwhite is a great investment. If you already have a Paperwhite edition, I wouldn't recommend upgrading but for first-time buyers, this is the perfect Kindle. I also recommend testing out features like the auto-adjusting front light and the Dark mode which makes night-time reading easier on the eyes. The new Kindle Paperwhite is faster and smoother than its predecessor and comes pretty close to the feel of a real hardback without the need for great lighting to enjoy your favourite book. With the holiday season coming up, the Kindle Paperwhite also makes for a great gift for friends and family. After all, what could be a better gift than one which encourages reading?

The perfect Kindle for avid readers

After investing for years in growth, Amazon is now laying off hundreds of employees at its Seattle headquarters.

The reason for the lay offs is said to be that the company is consolidating its established retail businesses.

The exact number of employees dismissed is not yet known.

Dismissals are expected in other global operations as well.

According to media reports, the company, due to the earlier aggressive hiring, has some teams with extra staff and some departments with unnecessary funds.

The reports said Amazon&#39;s hiring binge had taken the number of its employees from 5,000 to 40,000.

The employees dismissed have been informed of their termination.

Amazon is reportedly the US&#39;s second-largest corporate employer.

The reason for the lay offs is said to be that the company is consolidating its established retail businesses

After investing for years in growth, Amazon is now laying off hundreds of employees at its Seattle headquarters. The reason for the lay offs is said to be that the company is consolidating its established retail businesses. The exact number of employees dismissed is not yet known. Dismissals are expected in other global operations as well. According to media reports, the company, due to the earlier aggressive hiring, has some teams with extra staff and some departments with unnecessary funds. The reports said Amazon's hiring binge had taken the number of its employees from 5,000 to 40,000. The employees dismissed have been informed of their termination. Amazon is reportedly the US's second-largest corporate employer.

Amazon lays off hundreds of employees at Seattle HQ, dismissals expected elsewhere too

With the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) going on, we believe it&rsquo;s the perfect time to trigger the book enthusiast in you keep up with technology. We understand that it&rsquo;s not imperative for people to make a shift from paperbacks to e-books, but what&rsquo;s the harm in giving something new a try, especially when it is believed to bring along a plethora of benefits?

So, if you are averse to e-books and/or have some inhibitions and doubts about reading on an electronic device, we bring you some simple tips that can make your e-book reading experience as good as reading a paperback - and all that at no cost. But before we start, we would like you to develop some acceptance for e-books, because, as we all know, acceptance is the road to change.

1. Don&rsquo;t start with a standalone e-book reader: If you are graduating from paperbacks to e-books, we suggest that you go slow. In other words, don&rsquo;t straight jump on to buy a dedicated e-book reader once you have made up your mind to read e-books. You can do so if you are impulsive enough, but isn&rsquo;t it better to first figure out if you actually like the taste of e-books? Isn&rsquo;t it better to give yourself some time with e-books before you invest your hard-earned money in an e-book reader? Therefore, to begin with, you can download a free e-book reader such as Kindle on your phone, get some e-books from legal sources like Project Gutenberg, and make the most of your phone.

2. Download multiple e-book readers: It seems rational to have one e-book reader on your phone, but we advise you to not stick to one e-book reader, and in fact, download at least two. Let&rsquo;s say, Kindle and Aldiko. This is because e-books are available in different formats and every app doesn&rsquo;t support all formats. For instance, Kindle doesn&rsquo;t read the EPUB format, but Aldiko can easily do that for you. So, why to compromise on content when an easy solution is out there for you?

3. Make tweaks before you start reading: Once you have an e-book opened on your e-book reader, don&rsquo;t start reading as it appears. In fact, make some tweaks so that it is easy on your eyes.

First, increase the text size. For instance, I don&rsquo;t prefer more than 6 words in a line. Second, invert the colours. So, instead of reading white on black, read black on white, especially when you are reading at&nbsp;night, and reduce the brightness. The screen goes dull and becomes pleasing to the eye. And if required, change the font style too. I personally prefer Helvetica on the Kindle app. And the interesting part here is that with a built-in dictionary you can find the meaning right there without having to leave the screen. In all, you can see what is comfortable for you and make necessary adjustments.

4. Disable WiFi and mobile data: One of the major reasons that an e-book reading experience doesn&rsquo;t work for many is that people get easily distracted by social media notifications that pop up during the reading time. And the best way to deal with it is by disabling the phone&rsquo;s WiFi and mobile data when you&rsquo;re reading on your phone. In addition, it would be better if you could also resist the&nbsp;urge to enable them intermittently.

5. Keep a track of new free e-books: You can easily find free e-books on the Internet, but it gets challenging to keep a track of latest titles becoming available for free. And therefore, we have a simple solution for you to stay up&nbsp;to date and don&#39;t lose on new free content. Go to Twitter, type #free #ebooks in the search bar, and voila!

Having said that, while you can buy interesting reading material online, we discourage you to do so, if you are a beginner. Because the purpose here is to help you find out your interest in e-reading without shelling out any money.

And once you find yourself enjoying e-books and/or you think it&rsquo;s time to upgrade to e-books, you can invest in any e-book reader of your choice.

(WION)

Here are simple tips that can make your e-book reading experience as good as reading a paperback

With the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) going on, we believe it’s the perfect time to trigger the book enthusiast in you keep up with technology. We understand that it’s not imperative for people to make a shift from paperbacks to e-books, but what’s the harm in giving something new a try, especially when it is believed to bring along a plethora of benefits? So, if you are averse to e-books and/or have some inhibitions and doubts about reading on an electronic device, we bring you some simple tips that can make your e-book reading experience as good as reading a paperback - and all that at no cost. But before we start, we would like you to develop some acceptance for e-books, because, as we all know, acceptance is the road to change. 1. Don’t start with a standalone e-book reader: If you are graduating from paperbacks to e-books, we suggest that you go slow. In other words, don’t straight jump on to buy a dedicated e-book reader once you have made up your mind to read e-books. You can do so if you are impulsive enough, but isn’t it better to first figure out if you actually like the taste of e-books? Isn’t it better to give yourself some time with e-books before you invest your hard-earned money in an e-book reader? Therefore, to begin with, you can download a free e-book reader such as Kindle on your phone, get some e-books from legal sources like Project Gutenberg, and make the most of your phone. 2. Download multiple e-book readers: It seems rational to have one e-book reader on your phone, but we advise you to not stick to one e-book reader, and in fact, download at least two. Let’s say, Kindle and Aldiko. This is because e-books are available in different formats and every app doesn’t support all formats. For instance, Kindle doesn’t read the EPUB format, but Aldiko can easily do that for you. So, why to compromise on content when an easy solution is out there for you? 3. Make tweaks before you start reading: Once you have an e-book opened on your e-book reader, don’t start reading as it appears. In fact, make some tweaks so that it is easy on your eyes. First, increase the text size. For instance, I don’t prefer more than 6 words in a line. Second, invert the colours. So, instead of reading white on black, read black on white, especially when you are reading at night, and reduce the brightness. The screen goes dull and becomes pleasing to the eye. And if required, change the font style too. I personally prefer Helvetica on the Kindle app. And the interesting part here is that with a built-in dictionary you can find the meaning right there without having to leave the screen. In all, you can see what is comfortable for you and make necessary adjustments. 4. Disable WiFi and mobile data: One of the major reasons that an e-book reading experience doesn’t work for many is that people get easily distracted by social media notifications that pop up during the reading time. And the best way to deal with it is by disabling the phone’s WiFi and mobile data when you’re reading on your phone. In addition, it would be better if you could also resist the urge to enable them intermittently. 5. Keep a track of new free e-books: You can easily find free e-books on the Internet, but it gets challenging to keep a track of latest titles becoming available for free. And therefore, we have a simple solution for you to stay up to date and don't lose on new free content. Go to Twitter, type #free #ebooks in the search bar, and voila! Having said that, while you can buy interesting reading material online, we discourage you to do so, if you are a beginner. Because the purpose here is to help you find out your interest in e-reading without shelling out any money. And once you find yourself enjoying e-books and/or you think it’s time to upgrade to e-books, you can invest in any e-book reader of your choice. (WION)

Stuck with paperbacks? 5 tips to help you upgrade to e-books - all that for free

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Kindle, News on Kindle, stories on Kindle, articles on Kindle, Kindle stories at Wion, Kindle news, Kindle latest news