Kindle 3G or not 3G

[juliek]

I am contemplating buying a Kindle for my next trip abroad - I took so many books with me last time I had no room for anything else.

Can't decide whether it is worth spending the few quid extra for the 3G Kindle.

I can't seem to find a definative answer as to whether I can use it to check my emails and search Google etc or whether it is just for downloading books from Amazon.

Can anyone who has one please advise.

Thanks

 

[John Armstrong]

If you have easy access to wifi as I have then I wouldn't bother.

The only time it might be of use if your out and decide that you have to buy a certain book there and then.

 

[juliek]

If you have easy access to wifi as I have then I wouldn't bother.

The only time it might be of use if your out and decide that you have to buy a certain book there and then.

I was thinking more of its dual role. I'm not bothered about bieng able to download books on the move I just wondered if I could use it for emails etc so I don't have to carry a laptop as well.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Yes it is possible to use it for emails using mail2web or similar. Useful for checking but I wouldn't want to cope with any volume on it. Quite slow but OK for keeping in touch if you want to leave the laptop behind.

 

[juliek]

Yes it is possible to use it for emails using mail2web or similar. Useful for checking but I wouldn't want to cope with any volume on it. Quite slow but OK for keeping in touch if you want to leave the laptop behind.

Thanks Paul, that's what I was hoping. Think I'll go for the 3G one after all.

 

[captain_nesmo]

If you've not purchased yet, there is another option.

Depending on what mobile phone you've got, you might be able to configure it to function as a Wifi Hotspot.

iOS 4.3 (I believe it's supported on the 3GS and 4) and Android 2.2 (anything running this version should support it) offer the option. It basically shares your phone's data connection via Wifi. The Wifi range isn't great, but it'll usually do the job for the situation you're using it in.

Of course, data coverage abroad will depend on how your network has set up partner agreements with the networks in whatever country you're in, as well as what service plan you're on. O2 do some bolt-ons that give X GB of data for a set price so you don't end up getting shafted for data use.

 

[Straydog]

You can run the client app on pretty much anything, but then you have to pay for network charges for downloads and your battery will die quickly.

If you can pick up a GEN 2 Kindle the one before they gave you the offerings of wireless or not they are the ducks nuts, I haev used it in Africa, America, UK, and Europe, and you dont pay extra for downloads. PLus I get on average about 5-6 weeks from a charge.

 

[juliek]

All this talk of client apps and suchlike is getting a bit too complicated.
I use a £20 Nokia that makes phone calls and sends texts so I'm sure it's no good for what's suggested.

Might look at a gen 2 Kindle though - sounds a cheaper option.

 

[exeter_lad]

Free WiFi

My children bought me the normal (not G3) version for my birthday. I love it.

Unless you are in the back of beyond (in which case you probably wouldn't be carrying a lot of books) there are plenty of free WiFi spots around the world. I use these.

I use it to check my emails and surf the web. There are limitations, mainly that the kindle can only open one browser page. So if your email has a link to another page, then you cannot open it.

And don't forget the MP3 player functionality.

 

[Billywhizz]

Thanks Paul, that's what I was hoping. Think I'll go for the 3G one after all.

You won't regret it. It takes seconds to download a book and yes, you can get emails from a web based account. No colour or movies but the Kindle is so simple it's brilliant.


Alsop found this real nice cover at a fraction of the cost of the OEM one....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003M4QWG2/ref=oss_product

 

[longdog]

I bought the Wi-Fi version for Mrs Londog and she loves it! Never found the need for 3G even when touring on the Continent, there always seems to be plemty of unlocked or free Wi-Fi connections, (McDonalds, etc,) if you need them.

 

[everywherevirtually]

I wouldn't bother with the 3G version. There are enough free wifi spots around Europe and the world to negate the need for 3G. Certain city squares on the continent have free wifi, as do McDonalds, the ferries, the trains, cafe's etc etc.

As for sites you may be interested in check out http://www.instapaper.com

it allows you to save articles or news items you might see but don't have time to read. you put a link on your browser that says "read later". You then go to instapaper and it will then send them over wifi to your kindle. You can also use all the mobile versions of all of your favourite websites:

http://m.facebook.com

http://mobile.twitter.com//

http://m.gmail.com

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/

http://maps.google.co.uk/mobile

I'll post some photos shortly

 

[everywherevirtually]

as promised... Apologies as they were taken in the best light available at 2am

If I website has not been designed to natively work on a mobile device the kindle detects this and gives you an automatic magnifying glass so that you can zoom into the content. I find it handy for checking email, bank account and my social networking accounts. Writing a big email would be tedious but a one paragraph message is no harder than using a blackberry. You can also load MP3's onto the kindle and it has a headphone socket. There is no means of choosing songs. It will just load them according to how you loaded them.

 

[juliek]

I didn't realise it was such a versatile device.

Thanks very much for everyone's advice - especially about the availabilty of hotspots.

It seems like 3G is a luxury I don't think I'm going to need