New Kindle with WiFi announced

[EowynCarter]

For the average punter with DRMed ePubs, providing drm-free ePub support would do no good at all.

Indeed.

If amazon as some scene, they would make at least the UK shop in ePub. That's the format used there by most publishers... And the format that will be read by the readers you can buy in the UK.

Until then, as other shop proposes me with the same book, in a format that my reader reads out of the box...

At some point : Mmm, my grand father reads lots. Why not an e-reader. But he have no pc. So kindle 3g, nice. But my grand-father don't speaks English, so unless the offer in French improves drastically....

[TallMomof2]

Originally Posted by AFK_Matrix

I am very interested in the Kindle now it looks decent and the screen seems to have a great contrast, thats what I love about my Sony PRS-505.

But I have a few reservations about the books available to buy on Amazon as I only really read Sci Fi books. I assume I can take my epub books and use Calibre to convert them for use on the Kindle? But could I also go and buy books from Mobipocket and then read these on the Kindle?

Can I go anywhere else for books that I can use on the Kindle or am I stuck with the Amazone shop?

You like Science Fiction, have you tried Baen? They sell unrestricted ebooks in almost any format you could desire. They have mobi/prc for the Kindle. Any shop that sells ebooks without DRM will either have the Kindle format or you could easily convert it in Calibre. DRMed content is a bit trickier. If you're not inclined to remove the DRM then you must purchase from Amazon. If you don't mind removing the DRM then you can buy from anywhere, strip and convert and load on your Kindle.

The only downside to using non-Amazon content is that Amazon only syncs Amazon content. That's not an issue if you only use one device or app but it is a nice feature of the Amazon ecosystem.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by AFK_Matrix

But I have a few reservations about the books available to buy on Amazon as I only really read Sci Fi books. I assume I can take my epub books and use Calibre to convert them for use on the Kindle? But could I also go and buy books from Mobipocket and then read these on the Kindle?

Can I go anywhere else for books that I can use on the Kindle or am I stuck with the Amazone shop?

Yes, you can get DRM-free books anywhere. You can even get them wireless onto Kindle.
If you're into SF and Fantasy you're probably familiar with Baen and webscriptions and the Fifth Imperium web site, right? All of that is wide open to Kindle; Baen takes advantage of the Kindle's email service (each reader comes with its own email account) to send your purchased ebooks to Kindle that way. Other ebook retailers do the same; most have Kindle-browser friendly websites that let you acquire content (free or paid) directly from the Kindle. Depending on your wireless option (3G or WiFi) you may incur at *most* a tiny bandwidth fee of a few cents per book.
Of course, wireless isn't mandatory as you can "side-load via USB to your heart's content.
Kindles do have weaknesses but lack of quality content isn't one of them.

[Kevin2960]

Is the 3G version US only ? or can we poor cousin's in the UK make use of FREE 3G, and if we can, is that as soon as launch, and is launch WORLDWIDE or in stages ?

Yeah I know I'm Thick !

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Kevin2960

Is the 3G version US only ? or can we poor cousin's in the UK make use of FREE 3G, and if we can, is that as soon as launch, and is launch WORLDWIDE or in stages ?

Yeah I know I'm Thick !

The launch is world-wide; today for orders, shipments *nominally* by Aug 27.
(Traditionally Amazon starts new Kindle shipments early so a few early birds get theirs a day or two ahead of schedule.)

The 3g works world-wide. It has since last year.
There used to be bandwidth charges in non-US markets (bundled into the book price) but that has changed in many markets.
You'll want to check but I think the UK (as well as Canada) are among the countries with fully free 3G.
Different countries, different rules; you'll have to check at the new UK Kindle store.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Kevin2960

Is the 3G version US only ? or can we poor cousin's in the UK make use of FREE 3G, and if we can, is that as soon as launch, and is launch WORLDWIDE or in stages ?

Yeah I know I'm Thick !

I think it's the same version as the K2 international one: AT&T and not Sprint. So, yes, it should be usuable on this side of the big pond.

[Moejoe]

Pre-ordered. Amazon won the format war and are now the de facto standard. It's over now for ePub (much to my disappointment), but I'm not bitter. Well played Amazon, well played.

[Kevin2960]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I think it's the same version as the K2 international one: AT&T and not Sprint. So, yes, it should be usuable on this side of the big pond.

Thanks Sweetpea, That looks right, and Amazon UK are offering the 3G with free 3G ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002LVUWFE ) So HOORAY


Now I just need money Anyone want to adopt a British son and buy him a Christmas present

[Cyndi]

I just pre-ordered a k3 in graphite. I'm sooooo excited!!

[Gerli]

DowantDowantDowantDowantDowant!

[Quake1028]

I'm weak. I just pre-ordered the WiFi K3. Graphite and the new contrast is too sexy.

[Josieb1]

I like the look of this but how does the wifi and 3G work, can you access all the web, or just certain selected sites? I have a Sony PRS600 at the moment, and an iphone. I convert everything to epub and it goes on both machines, so if the kindle won't take epub, and it limits the wifi/3G to specific sites its no use to me. I don't buy books, I have 1000's already to read so i don't need access to Amazon's store

I must admit after using ibooks I have a hankering for an ipad

[rogue_librarian]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Pre-ordered. Amazon won the format war and are now the de facto standard. It's over now for ePub (much to my disappointment), but I'm not bitter.

I think that might be a bit premature. Not prepared to call it just yet.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Fbone

I wonder if Amazon really sold out of the Kindles or just stopped selling them since any sold will be within the 30 day return period. I'm sure almost everyone would have exchanged it.

Also, I am curious to know if the new Kindle is at or near cost. New technology but same or lower price.

I think Amazon just sold out of the existing Stock of the K2 and will no longer be making any more K2s.

[JSWolf]

Since I already have a reader, I'm going to wait and see what happens from Sony & B&N. Then if I want a new reader, I'll make my choice. The K3 sounds nice, but the lack of ePub is not doing Amazon any favors in the long run.