One of the most basic questions... please don't lough ;)

LovePlanetEarth · 02-05-2012, 12:57 AM

Hi everyone!

I'm confused... a bit...

As I understand, when an e-reader has a 3G option, one can go on-line anywhere (pretty much like with a mobile phone). Am I right?

Now...
When there is no 3G on a device, one cannot go on-line let's say while on a train. Still right?

Finally... If the device has no 3G but one has a wi-fi connection at home or at work or in a cafe, can one go on-line? I am more inclined to say "yes, one can", but not a 100% sure...

Sorry, for such an ignorant question...

speakingtohe · 02-05-2012, 01:10 AM

Can't comment on 3G but if device has WiFi one can go online wherever there is an accessible Wifi connection. Same as a computer or tablet etc.

GA Russell · 02-05-2012, 01:17 AM

LPE, you cannot assume that a reader has wifi.

My jetBook Lite doesn't, for example. I download the books onto my computer and copy them onto my SD card.

LovePlanetEarth · 02-05-2012, 01:46 AM

Oops, sure, missed the WiFi function...

Yes, the e-reader I'm considering has WiFi but no 3G...

So it will connect to the internet as long as there is a WiFi access. Right?
Now I'm almost 100% sure

Joy736 · 02-05-2012, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovePlanetEarth

Yes, the e-reader I'm considering has WiFi but no 3G...

So it will connect to the internet as long as there is a WiFi access. Right?
Now I'm almost 100% sure

You are right

Kumabjorn · 02-05-2012, 02:29 AM

Don't know how good access you have to WiFi hotspots in Melbourne, but here in Sweden they are fairly prevalent. I have access to WiFi when riding the bus or train. Walking in any reasonably populated area you will at any time have access to between 3 and 10 APs. The problem is that you are moving so you go in and out all the time. Now, if you have a smartphone with tethering you can use WiFi on your reader and connect it to the phone and that way access the internet from your reader.

AndrewH · 02-05-2012, 03:01 AM

As long as the device you're considering has wifi, and you can access a wifi signal (you may need the network password), you'll be able to access the internet through the ereader.

I can access the internet on my Sony PRS-T1 through the wifi network at my work, for example.

BWinmill · 02-05-2012, 03:46 AM

3G, you can get online where ever your mobile phone can get online.
WiFi, you can get online where ever your laptop can get online.

That description usually works, unless your laptop has special hardware.

If you're getting an e-ink reader, just be advised that the online experience is very different from what you've seen on computers or mobile phones.

LovePlanetEarth · 02-05-2012, 04:33 AM

Thanks a lot everyone!!

On top of answering my question you've even given me some more things to consider!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Don't know how good access you have to WiFi hotspots in Melbourne, but here in Sweden they are fairly prevalent. I have access to WiFi when riding the bus or train. Walking in any reasonably populated area you will at any time have access to between 3 and 10 APs. The problem is that you are moving so you go in and out all the time. Now, if you have a smartphone with tethering you can use WiFi on your reader and connect it to the phone and that way access the internet from your reader.

This is pretty amazing!! In Melbourne we don't have anything like that

Not that I need this

The most important for me is to be able to access WiFi.

BWinmil - nice of you to give me the heads up on the browsing matter! From different reviews I've noticed how everyone is complaining about this...

Well, I tend to look at an e-reader as just a greener and sometimes more portable way of reading!

So I don't expect a BOOK (even if it's high-tech) to be readable in darkness of enable me to use internet.
I am more than satisfied with the functions most e-readers have already!!!

Well, I am more than satisfied with the outcome of this thread, so if it is at all possible and if it is a normal practice here, we can call it the day and close the thread...

Just don't know how to do it...

Kumabjorn · 02-05-2012, 05:58 AM

Ohh, that is actually an added benefit of e-Readers, they almost all have lighted covers as extra accessories. That way you can actually read even when it's pitch dark.

wodin · 02-06-2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LovePlanetEarth

This is pretty amazing!! In Melbourne we don't have anything like that

Not that I need this

The most important for me is to be able to access WiFi.

Well, the obvious answer to that is... Emigrate! Oh, but wait; then you’d have to learn Swedish. Oh well, being bi-lingual can’t be all bad.

Asawi · 02-06-2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

Well, the obvious answer to that is... Emigrate! Oh, but wait; then you’d have to learn Swedish. Oh well, being bi-lingual can’t be all bad.

But you need to be careful where to settle down. Where I live there are very few WiFi hotspots. But you'd be welcome to come and sit in my garden if you want to!

wodin · 02-06-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asawi

But you need to be careful where to settle down. Where I live there are very few WiFi hotspots. But you'd be welcome to come and sit in my garden if you want to!

There are gardens is Sweden? I thought the growing season was like, a week and a half. What could you possibly grow there?

RHWright · 02-06-2012, 01:14 PM

Just to clarify, if you have a wi-fi capable device, you will at minimum usually be able to access a store account and download content. What other web-enabled functions you may be able to do will vary from device to device.

I own a Nook Simple Touch Reader (aka Nook, NST, or N2E). Out of the box, you can only access B&N's store to download content via the wi-fi. And yes, you can root it (or so I'm told) to expand those capabilities, but I'm talking out of the box here.

So with the Nook, wi-fi but no web browsing or other internet activities.

If you're shopping for a device, it's best to research its particular capabilities and specs, as they vary.

Hope that helps.

GreenMonkey · 02-06-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHWright

Just to clarify, if you have a wi-fi capable device, you will at minimum usually be able to access a store account and download content. What other web-enabled functions you may be able to do will vary from device to device.

I own a Nook Simple Touch Reader (aka Nook, NST, or N2E). Out of the box, you can only access B&N's store to download content via the wi-fi. And yes, you can root it (or so I'm told) to expand those capabilities, but I'm talking out of the box here.

So with the Nook, wi-fi but no web browsing or other internet activities.

If you're shopping for a device, it's best to research its particular capabilities and specs, as they vary.

Hope that helps.

Yes, lLet's be clear about the "get online" statement and 3G.

Just because it has 3G, that doesn't mean you can web-browse. The original Nook, for example, can only access its store via 3G. That's really the purpose.

The Kindle 3G 2nd gen and 3rd gen I know can surf to a very limited extent, but given the speed of its CPU and the screen refresh...it's barely workable to browse the web. My wife used hers to check her email from time to time before she had her smartphone, and it works...very, very slowly, and only the basic version of her webmail (since fancy java and flash websites and such aren't going to work on the Kindle).

02-05-2012, 12:57 AM	#1
LovePlanetEarth Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Onyx Boox M92 Black (Finally!!!)	One of the most basic questions... please don't lough ;) Hi everyone! I'm confused... a bit... As I understand, when an e-reader has a 3G option, one can go on-line anywhere (pretty much like with a mobile phone). Am I right? Now... When there is no 3G on a device, one cannot go on-line let's say while on a train. Still right? Finally... If the device has no 3G but one has a wi-fi connection at home or at work or in a cafe, can one go on-line? I am more inclined to say "yes, one can", but not a 100% sure... Sorry, for such an ignorant question...

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02-05-2012, 01:10 AM	#2
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	Can't comment on 3G but if device has WiFi one can go online wherever there is an accessible Wifi connection. Same as a computer or tablet etc.

02-05-2012, 01:17 AM	#3
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	LPE, you cannot assume that a reader has wifi. My jetBook Lite doesn't, for example. I download the books onto my computer and copy them onto my SD card.

02-05-2012, 01:46 AM	#4
LovePlanetEarth Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: Onyx Boox M92 Black (Finally!!!)	Oops, sure, missed the WiFi function... Yes, the e-reader I'm considering has WiFi but no 3G... So it will connect to the internet as long as there is a WiFi access. Right? Now I'm almost 100% sure

02-05-2012, 02:29 AM	#6
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Don't know how good access you have to WiFi hotspots in Melbourne, but here in Sweden they are fairly prevalent. I have access to WiFi when riding the bus or train. Walking in any reasonably populated area you will at any time have access to between 3 and 10 APs. The problem is that you are moving so you go in and out all the time. Now, if you have a smartphone with tethering you can use WiFi on your reader and connect it to the phone and that way access the internet from your reader.

02-05-2012, 03:01 AM	#7
AndrewH Fanatic Posts: 553 Karma: 1234566 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver, WA Device: Sony PRS-T1, & Kobo Mini	As long as the device you're considering has wifi, and you can access a wifi signal (you may need the network password), you'll be able to access the internet through the ereader. I can access the internet on my Sony PRS-T1 through the wifi network at my work, for example.

02-05-2012, 03:46 AM	#8
BWinmill Nameless Being	3G, you can get online where ever your mobile phone can get online. WiFi, you can get online where ever your laptop can get online. That description usually works, unless your laptop has special hardware. If you're getting an e-ink reader, just be advised that the online experience is very different from what you've seen on computers or mobile phones.

02-05-2012, 05:58 AM	#10
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	Ohh, that is actually an added benefit of e-Readers, they almost all have lighted covers as extra accessories. That way you can actually read even when it's pitch dark.

02-06-2012, 01:14 PM	#14
RHWright Addict Posts: 219 Karma: 2617122 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: North Carolina Device: NOOK ST, Nexus 7	Just to clarify, if you have a wi-fi capable device, you will at minimum usually be able to access a store account and download content. What other web-enabled functions you may be able to do will vary from device to device. I own a Nook Simple Touch Reader (aka Nook, NST, or N2E). Out of the box, you can only access B&N's store to download content via the wi-fi. And yes, you can root it (or so I'm told) to expand those capabilities, but I'm talking out of the box here. So with the Nook, wi-fi but no web browsing or other internet activities. If you're shopping for a device, it's best to research its particular capabilities and specs, as they vary. Hope that helps.