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Kindle Free 3G Question
goodkarma84
12-05-2011
with the free 3g one does that allow you to user the internet browser using free 3g?

and can the browser access things like gmail?

thanks
Daveoc64
12-05-2011
Originally Posted by goodkarma84:
“with the free 3g one does that allow you to user the internet browser using free 3g?”

Yes.

Originally Posted by goodkarma84:
“and can the browser access things like gmail?”

Not really. The Kindle browser is designed to handle simple pages. Some people have been able to use the mobile version of Gmail without any problems, but it's not the best experience in the world.

The free 3G is a nice feature, but it's best used for checking news sites etc.
IvanIV
12-05-2011
I use it to check news or train schedules when abroad. It's OK and for free I tried to access my gmail account, it did not work, I should have tried the mobile site, I guess. The browser is basic and B&W of course. Don't expect miracles, but it's good enough to get information you need.
psionic
12-05-2011
I love my Kindle, but the browser is correctly relegated under the 'experimental' section at present.
home_alone
12-05-2011
I managed to post a comment on the mobile version of facebook using my kindle, the other day.

The significant thing for me was that I was in Greece at the time, with no wifi in the hotel.

OK, it wasn't fast, or intuitive - but it was possible.

It would, however,be a mistake to get a kindle just for the web interface.

Having said that, for compatible versions of many web pages google kinstant.
goodkarma84
13-05-2011
thanks guys, sounds like what i expected, but in tesco i was told the 3g would only get me into the kindle store, which didnt sound right.
IvanIV
13-05-2011
Originally Posted by goodkarma84:
“thanks guys, sounds like what i expected, but in tesco i was told the 3g would only get me into the kindle store, which didnt sound right.”

There are still restrictions, especially abroad, but nobody knows exactly. But many webpages work, especially the useful ones. For me it's been an advantage to have a 3G version. And even with a price difference it's still cheaper than a latest Sony competition that cannot connect wirelessly at all.
grumpyoldbat
13-05-2011
It's a right fiddly faff to navigate web pages with the browser, and I've had it crash on me more than once. It's cool for a quick read of basic email or posting a tweet or two, but no more than that really. Certainly I wouldn't leave the laptop at home in favour of using the Kindle!
psionic
13-05-2011
Originally Posted by grumpyoldbat:
“It's a right fiddly faff to navigate web pages with the browser, and I've had it crash on me more than once. It's cool for a quick read of basic email or posting a tweet or two, but no more than that really. Certainly I wouldn't leave the laptop at home in favour of using the Kindle!”

Agreed. You're better off using your mobile phone.
Anika Hanson
14-05-2011
Originally Posted by grumpyoldbat:
“It's a right fiddly faff to navigate web pages with the browser, and I've had it crash on me more than once. It's cool for a quick read of basic email or posting a tweet or two, but no more than that really. Certainly I wouldn't leave the laptop at home in favour of using the Kindle!”

I agree too. It's better than not having Internet connectivity but I only use it to browse the kindle store and buy books as anything else is too cumbersome. I'd rather use my iPhone when out and about. But the kindle is still great and blows all other readers out of the water.
JulesandSand
14-05-2011
I think that hits the nail on the head, the Kindle is a reader and I, for one, only use 3G to connect to the store.

The more sophisticated it becomes the more expensive it will be, just look at smartphones.

Keep it basic, keep it cheap I say. If you want bells and whistles buy an ipad or tablet pc.

Now if only they would sort out the book pricing...........
LostFool
15-05-2011
I would agree the Kindle browser is fine for simple things, especially using the mobile version of websites, but don't expect a fantastic experience - though I did managed to do online check-in for my flight using the Kindle.

What is good is being able to quickly check the news headlines, football scores etc while abroad *for free*. I try to totally avoid using my phone for browsing abroad due the the roaming charges.
John_Elway
15-05-2011
Originally Posted by JulesandSand:
“I think that hits the nail on the head, the Kindle is a reader and I, for one, only use 3G to connect to the store.

The more sophisticated it becomes the more expensive it will be, just look at smartphones.

Keep it basic, keep it cheap I say. If you want bells and whistles buy an ipad or tablet pc.

Now if only they would sort out the book pricing...........”

I couldn't agree more, on every point. Tablets of any kind are not eReaders, they just can display ebooks, which is great! But for me I can't constantly stare at a backlit screen for reading. Some people argue 'well you look at a monitor all day... well you don't, not in the same way that you read. I just love the "e-ink" and so do my eyes.

The book pricing certainly needs improving for ebooks. I have read many times that the printing is a tiny cost of the book and that is why they aren't hugely cheaper... but I don't buy it, the printing, the transportation (and associated costs), the storage, the physical distribution... those savings need to be passed back to us.

I also don't like how Amazon (and I'm sure others) are pulling the licensing trick with us and also limiting us to the .com store or .co.uk. I have mine registered with .com meaning I can't buy from .co.uk and vice versa. I could buy the physical books from either store but not the ebooks? Again, unnecessary red tape seemingly based on greed.

Aside from this, I did have a Sony but the Kindle is second to none for me
JulesandSand
15-05-2011
As I said on a previous thread and will reiterate here,

I won't pay more for an e-book than a physical book - ever, and if everyone did the same I'm sure pricing policies would change pretty smartly.

No wonder people are tempted to file-share when Amazon offer a paperback for 99p and the Kindle edition for £4.99.
IvanIV
15-05-2011
They wanted me to switch to Amazon.de, I didn't, I checked a couple of books and saw an exchange rate makes amazon.com more attractive. It's not all Amazon's fault ebook prices are high. Publishers try to keep them high, too.
gomezz
15-05-2011
I have used my Kindle 3G at race tracks to display the live timing web page for the race meet. Very handy if you are not near an on-track timing screen or display.
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