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Kindle - do I need 3g

2

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  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,644 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    In answer to the original question no you dont need wifi, you will only end up using it to download books which would cost you plus the charge of using the 3g connection. Just load it up with books before you go, maybe use free wifi to download more if needed.
  • Fifer
    Fifer Posts: 59,413 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 10 July 2011 at 1:23PM
    Notwithstanding the additional cost of the 3G kindle, how much does it cost to use the 3G service? I assume you have to pay for accessing the internet and downloads over a mobile network, particularly when roaming??

    It's free, Amazon pay for the 3G service. That's why it's such an attractive proposition for those who travel abroad reasonably often. I've used the experimental browser a fair bit throughout Europe and after you get to grips with the unusual navigation interface (no mouse or tracker), it's really quite useful if you can accept the compromise of monochrome, no video and basic access.

    As others have said, you definitely don't need it to read books, you don't need it to buy books if you can access a wifi network, but if free basic internet access abroad is useful to you as an add on, 3G is worth considering.
    There's love in this world for everyone. Every rascal and son of a gun.
    It's for the many and not the few. Be sure it's out there looking for you.
    In every town, in every state. In every house and every gate.
    Wth every precious smile you make. And every act of kindness.
    Micheal Marra, 1952 - 2012
  • Fifer
    Fifer Posts: 59,413 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    DCFC79 wrote: »
    In answer to the original question no you dont need wifi, you will only end up using it to download books which would cost you plus the charge of using the 3g connection.

    What charge? There is no charge. The 3G service is free to use to purchase books and to access the internet.
    There's love in this world for everyone. Every rascal and son of a gun.
    It's for the many and not the few. Be sure it's out there looking for you.
    In every town, in every state. In every house and every gate.
    Wth every precious smile you make. And every act of kindness.
    Micheal Marra, 1952 - 2012
  • olly300
    olly300 Posts: 14,738 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Notwithstanding the additional cost of the 3G kindle, how much does it cost to use the 3G service? I assume you have to pay for accessing the internet and downloads over a mobile network, particularly when roaming??

    Amazon has agreements with mobile network operators around the world so if you are in one of the 100 countries where there is an agreement then you don't pay anything.

    Most people tend to download books/journals/documents and turn the wifi connection off as leaving it on runs down the battery much quicker.

    In addition the internet browser is basic. It's worse than using it on a a normal cheap mobile.
    I'm not cynical I'm realistic :p

    (If a link I give opens pop ups I won't know I don't use windows)
  • Jake_Oswalt
    Jake_Oswalt Posts: 14 Forumite
    Get 3G. Its really easy to download on the go.
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,644 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Fifer wrote: »
    What charge? There is no charge. The 3G service is free to use to purchase books and to access the internet.

    is it, i thought you got charged for accessing the 3g like on a mobile

    my bad
  • scotsbob
    scotsbob Posts: 4,632 Forumite
    I have a Smart Phone with a 4.3" screen and have the Kindle App. Saves having to buy a separate reader.

    Fifer can you please advise which provider is giving you free 3G access.
  • zzzLazyDaisy
    zzzLazyDaisy Posts: 12,497 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    scotsbob wrote: »
    I have a Smart Phone with a 4.3" screen and have the Kindle App. Saves having to buy a separate reader.

    Fifer can you please advise which provider is giving you free 3G access.

    That is a different thing entirely. Firstly the experience of reading a book on a smart phone with a kindle app is very inferior to reading on a kindle which uses ink technology. Secondly, no provider will give you free 3G access on a smart phone abroad as far as I know - this is only with the 3G kindle and this is why some people are willing to pay the extra.
    I'm a retired employment solicitor. Hopefully some of my comments might be useful, but they are only my opinion and not intended as legal advice.
  • Fifer
    Fifer Posts: 59,413 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    scotsbob wrote: »
    I have a Smart Phone with a 4.3" screen and have the Kindle App. Saves having to buy a separate reader.
    But it's not an epaper reader so rather misses out on all the advantages of a proper ereader. I have the Kindle app on my phone, my tablet and my PCs, but prefer to do most of my ereading on my Kindle.
    scotsbob wrote: »
    Fifer can you please advise which provider is giving you free 3G access.
    You don't need to have a 3G service provider. Amazon provide the service free on the Vodaphone network in the UK and with other service providers in various countries throughout the world. But it's all invisible to the user. You just buy a 3G Kindle and use the 3G service for free. Amazon take care of the bills and everything else, but only for the Kindle, not for other devices running Kindle apps.
    There's love in this world for everyone. Every rascal and son of a gun.
    It's for the many and not the few. Be sure it's out there looking for you.
    In every town, in every state. In every house and every gate.
    Wth every precious smile you make. And every act of kindness.
    Micheal Marra, 1952 - 2012
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,644 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Looks like i might have to read up a bit on these kindle device thingys, might learn something new.
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