Why upset your customers over this when they were otherwise using this device to give you money?
It definitely is frustrating though. I have an iPod from 2009 where the battery and hard drive still work fine, and I'm able to use the latest version of iTunes to sync my music and podcasts to it. Shoutout to Apple for that.
Worst case, the eye analog hole will ensure that books are the most piratable medium.
I did the same with music, using an Innioasis iPod knockoff + buy MP3s from Amazon Music, cheaper than Spotify and I never have to worry about my music becoming unavailable. I also prefer the experience of single-use devices.
An incredibly important turning point of this era is that businesses have learned that they no longer need to fear acting hostile to consumers. Consumers don't practice agency.
Customers can't practice agency when the markets are mostly monopolized or the products pass through a cartel first.
The moment a viable, cheaper and more convenient option appears, your customers will show you exactly how fickle they are.
1. Competition is much lower in a lot of places.
2. Customers prioritize convenience and (perceived at least) low-prices over being treated well.
Look at airlines: Unless you happen to be traveling between two major airports, there will typically be at most 2 airlines with a reasonable schedule for the two endpoints, and most people will not pay $100 more for being treated like human beings over cattle.