Kindle help?

[Andara Bledin]

If that is the case, why does Amazon advertise that there is no charge for the 3G, but they say no such thing for the wi-fi? Just wondering.

Amazon advertises that the 3G is free because they are paying the bill that 3G would otherwise cost. So, for Kindle owners, it's part of the service you get for buying a Kindle. I do wonder which carrier provides the bandwidth, though.

Wi-fi is not something that they pay to have provided, so whether you can connect through that or not is up to the providers wherever you happen to be. There are many places that offer free wi-fi, but others may require a fee to use theirs. And some places have wi-fi set-ups that are so arcane that only a regular computer can even connect at all.

^-.-^

[Jester]

Which all means....what, exactly? I am still confuzzled.

[trailerparkmedic]

Which all means....what, exactly? I am still confuzzled.

Some wi-fi is free, like at Starbucks or if you have a wireless router at home. Some wi-fi is not free, like at the airport. Wi-fi is only useable when you are at a wi-fi hotspot, like your house with the router or a retail establishment with wi-fi.

3G will never cost anything for you to use, and is useable everywhere (well, pretty much, think of it as a cell phone signal).

Not sure if you picked up on this or not, but the signal is only important when you're downloading books. Once they're downloaded, you don't need to be online to use it.

[KiaKat]

I just got a Kindle for Christmas. Mom gave me the wifi version.

Just today I downloaded 13 free books, in about 7 different genres. I was on my home wifi network, so it didn't cost me anything.

These 13 books will keep me happy for about a week and a half. Then I'll download a bunch more. No need for 3G, or for "anywhere connectivity." I have wifi here, at work, at my mom's, at my future inlaws, and pretty much anywhere else I'd be spending time. I don't need internet connectivity to read the books, so 3G doesn't make any difference to me.

You said you have a wireless setup at home, and at work. Take 10 minutes to download the books you want, and you're good to go. The 3G setup is better for people who don't have regular access to wireless networks.

[Jester]

This is what I'm getting out of all of this: If I am the type of person that needs to have a book RIGHT NOW, wherever I am, I need 3G. If I am the type of person that can wait to download a desired book until I get home, to work, or some place that has a wifi hotspot, I should get wifi. Since outside of my occasional vacations I spend most of my time in Key West, and a lot of that time at home or at work, it sounds like I just need the wifi version. Does this sound correct to y'all?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[TheSHAD0W]

Does this sound correct to y'all?

You is correct.

[Kaylyn]

And is this service free or does it cost anything?

It costs 99 cents per megabyte to have the file emailed to you in Kindle format. There's supposed to be a free way to do it, but I couldn't get it to work when I tried. And of course, now that I'm hunting for the page that describes the process, I can't find it...

And yeah, from what it sounds like, you'll be just fine with the wi-fi version. No need spending the extra money if you're likely to be using it only at home or where you're on a wireless network.

[KiaKat]

It costs 99 cents per megabyte to have the file emailed to you in Kindle format. There's supposed to be a free way to do it, but I couldn't get it to work when I tried. And of course, now that I'm hunting for the page that describes the process, I can't find it...

Emailed?

Make sure your Kindle is attached to your Amazon account. When you go to buy an ebook, it should give you an option for sending it to a device. Choose the Kindle associated with your account, and it's free.

I downloaded 13 books yesterday, completely for free.

There's also a USB cable with your Kindle. You can download the book, connect Kindle to computer, and transfer the file that way.

[Jester]

So, not to belabor the point (as if I haven't done that enough already), but other than the ability to download books anywhere, is there any inherent advantage to the 3G over the wi-fi version? Or am I missing something here? (Other than sleep.)

[KiaKat]

The only other advantage is if you want to pick up a newspaper subscription or read blogs somewhere away from your wifi connections. I personally don't see the need. All the available papers are online for free, and I'm more likely to read them on the computer.

[Andara Bledin]

So, not to belabor the point (as if I haven't done that enough already), but other than the ability to download books anywhere, is there any inherent advantage to the 3G over the wi-fi version? Or am I missing something here? (Other than sleep.)

They're mostly just different ways to do the same thing.

In case it's not already know, the 3G version includes WiFi. 3G would be to fill in the gaps for when a connection is desired, but WiFi wasn't available.

^-.-^

[Jester]

So the extra $50 is just paying for convenience, then. There is no other inherent difference in the machine.

Fuck it. I'm ordering my Kindle today. I just hope I haven't taken too long, as I really want it for my trip to Phoenix. I board the plane in 21 days.

[heads off to order his Christmas present to himself.....)

[Jester]

Yay!

After all my hemming and hawing and internal debate, just ordered my Kindle, along with the carrying case with the reading light, as I am a klutz and protective cases are virtually a requirement for me.

Amazon estimates I should have my Christmas present to myself somewhere between January 5 and January 10, which is good, since I get on a plane to Phoenix on January 19.

Well, that was relatively painless. Especially compared to my upcoming debate about which laptop to buy!

[KiaKat]

Woot!

I'm gonna get one of those cases, too. As soon as this month's bills are paid off and I have the extra cash.

You might be able to start adding books before you actually get the device. If not, you can put them into a shopping or wish list to be purchased as soon as you can register the device.

What are your laptop requirements, and which ones are you considering?

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

How much is the 3G kindle?

I could look it up myself but I'm lazy. I'm thinking I'd like one when my tax refund comes in.