Request for the Kindle to be released internationally!

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by TheJohnNewton

You need a US credit card to purchase Kindle books. Also they won't ship a Kindle to a non-US address so you would need to jump that hurdle.

I guess the reason for wanting a Kindle outside the US would be for the Amazon ebooks? Otherwise why not just buy any of the other ereaders with eInk screens. Minus the cell phone connection they would be nearly identical functionaly.

Depends on what you call nearly identical.

No dictionary on the Sony
No notes on the Sony, Cybook (iLiad only does notes on PDF files)
No searching on other units. (search for eBooks and search within eBooks)
No keyboard (to facilitate searches, dictionary lookup, notes)
No screen capture
No Audible support

If these features are important then the Kindle might still be the best unit in spite of the hassle of obtaining one.

Dale

[cush]

Originally Posted by astra

I would not buy it even if I lived in the USA. Don't like, as simple as that.
If tomorrow Kindle was sold in the UK and Sony is still in the USA, I would go for Sony.

I guess I was imprecise. I didn't understand why those posters to this thread who desired a Kindle didn't etc, etc.

Why are you participating in this Kindle oriented subforum if you wouldn't buy one?

What is the point of your post? I wouldn't, for example, buy a car produced in England because I think they are poorly engineered and low quality- so what?

[cush]

Originally Posted by TheJohnNewton

You need a US credit card to purchase Kindle books. Also they won't ship a Kindle to a non-US address so you would need to jump that hurdle.

I guess the reason for wanting a Kindle outside the US would be for the Amazon ebooks? Otherwise why not just buy any of the other ereaders with eInk screens. Minus the cell phone connection they would be nearly identical functionaly.

Thank you, John. I didn't realize that. I guess some one who was Stateside would have to buy it and transship it to you. The requirement to have a US based credit card to buy Kindle books would make it impractical anyway.

Oh well, it was a thought.

[TheJohnNewton]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

Depends on what you call nearly identical.

No dictionary on the Sony
No notes on the Sony, Cybook (iLiad only does notes on PDF files)
No searching on other units. (search for eBooks and search within eBooks)
No keyboard (to facilitate searches, dictionary lookup, notes)
No screen capture
No Audible support

If these features are important then the Kindle might still be the best unit in spite of the hassle of obtaining one.

Dale

Ah yes thanks. I'm so focused on the reading experience I don't pay attention to much else, lol.

The dictionary is handy but the default one is a bit limited. I like the search function also. I don't use the other functions but they could be important to others.

[astra]

Originally Posted by cush

Why are you participating in this Kindle oriented subforum if you wouldn't buy one?

What is the point of your post?

To answer to your question

I'm wondering why those living outside the US don't just buy a Kindle as it is

I live outside the USA and I don't have kindle although I could get one.
Here is why:

I would not buy it even if I lived in the USA. Don't like(kindle), as simple as that.
If tomorrow Kindle was sold in the UK and Sony is still in the USA, I would go for Sony.

[TheJohnNewton]

Astra,

If you're here to answer his question then I'm sure you can do better than "don't like (Kindle)". It would be a lot better answer if you said why you don't like it.

[astra]

It has been discussed too many times. I didn't want to repeat myself.

Keyboard. My ebook reader will not have actual physical keyboard. It ruins a whole reading experience for me.
I don't like its form factor. I believe it is ugly, bulky and far less convenient than Sony Reader.

Sony Reader for me is an ideal way how ebook reader should look/feel and work.

Not having search functions, dictionaries, taking notes etc., do not bother me because none of my hardback editions of printed books have these features (or even paperback editions ). However, Sony Reader is so much more convenient to travel with than printed books and it doesn't have any unneccessary bells and whistles that would degrade reading experience. It is as close to a real book as electrical gadget could.

I fully appreciate that there are people who think/feel different and that's why they bought Kindle and they are happy with their choice. Fair enough. However, I don't like kindle for all the reasons mentioned above and that is why I didn't and would not buy kindle at least its current version.

I believe it is enough?

[TheJohnNewton]

Ok, fair enough. "Don't like" was a bit brief having never read your posts on the subject before.

[cush]

Once again astra seems to miss my point.

People abroad already wanted a Kindle were asking in this thread when would it function internationally. Why are we supposed to care why you (astra) don't like it?

John answered my question regarding why someone who already wanted one wouldn't/couldn't buy one if they liver outside the States.

Enough. I'm becoming cranky and intolerant in my old age.

[astra]

Originally Posted by cush

Enough. I'm becoming cranky and intolerant in my old age.

Who cares?

[cush]

No one-that's the point.

[JMikeD]

Originally Posted by mrsp

Personally, I don't like the idea of needing a contract with a phone company to use the wireless feature. Standard wifi that lets you use hotspots and your home internet connection is far better.

You don't need a contract with a phone company to use the Kindle wireless feature. Amazon takes care of that at no charge to the consumer, the cost is built into the purchase price. You just buy the Kindle and turn it on and go.

WiFi would be useless to me. I don't fancy driving down to a Starbucks just to download a book. The AT&T wireless is much more available to me than WiFi.

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by JMikeD

You don't need a contract with a phone company to use the Kindle wireless feature. Amazon takes care of that at no charge to the consumer, the cost is built into the purchase price. You just buy the Kindle and turn it on and go.

WiFi would be useless to me. I don't fancy driving down to a Starbucks just to download a book. The AT&T wireless is much more available to me than WiFi.

Amazon is Sprint EVDO, not AT&T but your point remains the same. If there were free open WiFi everywhere, that would be great, but there isn't. If it were a WiMax metro network it might be competitive but free WiFi hotspots don't help you when you're on a train like DH is every day.

[TallMomof2]

Just got back from vacation (forgot my Kindle ) and had to rely on my Touch. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find free WiFi. The only place I could reliably use my Touch was the hotel. Elsewhere I would've had to purchase something from the shop or pay. I'm allergic to caffiene so I don't even walk near Starbucks. And I know that the Sprint EVDO coverage was great so I was doubly sad (where's a crying smilie, an oxymoron if I've ever seen one, when you need it?)

[Alisa]

You forgot your Kindle! I'm trying to imagine what that "oh s***" moment was like. That's like one of those nightmares where you show up at school and find out there's an exam you didn't know about and then your pants disappear.