If you shop online from time to time, chances are you’ve used visited Amazon (AMZN) to make one of those purchases.
The some 200 million Prime members (a number which continues growing each quarter) help to propel some of the retailer’s greatest innovations and acquisitions, some of which have been the voice controlled Alexa home device, the Ring doorbell security system, the Fire TV, Fire tablets, and even Whole Foods.
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Of course, there are plenty of other reasons you might shop on Amazon. If you need anything from pet supplies to books, the retail giant has got you covered.
But there’s something special about Amazon’s created devices. Alexa revolutionized how we get assistance in our homes. The Fire TV makes streaming across multiple services and devices a seamless process. And the Ring doorbell has helped to deter things like porch pirates and makes for some pretty good viral (and often accidental) social media content.
One Amazon device is highly popular
But one device has helped to define Amazon over the years, even disrupting an entire industry. That would be none other than Amazon’s Kindle e-reader devices, which helped to popularized many books that ordinarily wouldn’t have been carried in book stores and made reading a breeze, especially for a younger generation.
Kindle isn’t just another tablet, though. The device is popular because it utilizes an anti-glare technology that makes reading at the pool or beach, for example, a much more enjoyable experience. It also allows busy travelers to carry about dozens, even hundreds of books at a time without having to haul around all that extra weight. And its instantaneous delivery can keep up with even the most voracious readers who no longer have to traipse to the book store or wait up to a week for their new book to show up in the mail.
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And Amazon’s most popular model, the Paperwhite, is waterproof. New models even feature an amber backlight for night time readers who prefer not to stare at a screen with a harsh light before bed.
It’s easy to understand why Kindle is so popular; it’s estimated the retailer has sold between 20-90 million Kindles since its inception in 2007.
Top Kindle gets discontinued
But Amazon has quietly discontinued one of its more upscale Kindle models, the Kindle Oasis, which was the priciest – but beloved – device for those who preferred a more upscale reading experience.
The Oasis was one of the most expensive models, retailing for around $250 for the base model (the Paperwhite, by comparison, costs around $150).
The Oasis was also larger than most of the other devices, and featured an asymmetrical backing, physical buttons to help turn pages, a larger and brighter display, and a glass and metal material design.
Amazon is now sunsetting sales of the device, however, removing the Oasis from the Amazon store and taking the device off of product comparisons.
“Amazon has removed Kindle Oasis from its comparison chart. Oasis is also not available to buy on its website. I have this device and I love it! It’s really hard to see it getting discontinued. Amazon has not yet announced any replacement,” one Reddit user wrote on the Kindle subreddit shortly after the device had gone from stores.
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“I can only hope this means they’ll come out with another premium device with page turn buttons,” another wrote.
“It’s a bummer…I love my Oasis! it’s so convenient to hold!” another wrote.
“I’ve been waiting for a new Oasis with better battery life and USB-C for years, as none of the other Kindles appeals to me,” another complained.
Amazon has not commented officially whether it plans to refresh the Oasis and bring it back, or return with a new premium offering.
The Kindle Scribe is still available as Amazon’s most premium e-reader, as it’s the largest model and features writing and note taking capabilities. It retails for $419 but does not have page turning buttons.
