Monthly 50 MB limit to Kindle Keyboard's 3G usage? - Page 2

Jessica Lares · 07-24-2012, 10:43 AM

You made the front page at TechCrunch.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/24/ama...p-hack-tether/

chamekke · 07-24-2012, 11:18 AM

Yeah, I noticed! o_0

First head over the parapet, that's me.

BTW, I'd never even heard of tethering until this thread. Yikes, no wonder they established a limit.

yifanlu · 07-24-2012, 11:39 AM

I may be partly responsible for this. I used my Kindle Keyboard exclusively for internet on a trip to china last month. (No other way of getting on). I even saw the exact moment they downgraded all the images through their proxy.

Atilla · 07-24-2012, 11:39 AM

I bought my second Kindle 3 the 3G variety so I can use it for emails and online banking when traveling oversees.

50 MB is cutting it too close. I have no choice but turn off the images and hope for the best. A 500 MB limit would have been more proper in my opinion.

kacir · 07-24-2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimo49

This could be open to abuse very easy, especially if you go on holiday abroad, and let Amazon pick up the bill for roaming internet charges.

You won't be able to download files, listen to music, watch video, have access to flash ... . Plus the use of the browser is quite awkward so I do not think many people would generate substantial traffic.
Unless you use tethering, which should be very easy to spot for an Amazon server, if they cared to watch for it (they definitely would once it got widespread).
Amazon has roaming agreements that are, I suspect, different from racketeering prices big telecos charge us - hapeless individual users.

tomsem · 07-24-2012, 11:50 AM

On Kindle Touch, 3G browser access is limited to amazon.com and wikipedia.org. That said, I think it is totally worth paying for the 3G model (though I got mine for only $110 at Walmart).

It is not just for Kindle Store/library access: all of the internet-enabled reading features are available whenever 3G is (sync, Translate, wikipedia lookup, rate this book, report content error, Share). I use wikipedia lookup a lot (the article summary pops up just like dictionary definitions, no need to launch browser unless you want more than the summary). It's a pain to connect to wifi sometimes also, and KT will not connect at all to one wifi network that I spend a lot of time in.

Dallista · 07-24-2012, 12:45 PM

Wow, that is really bad news for me. I've been using it as free internet access on hols in the US and Japan. 50 Mb doesn't sounds like a lot...

geekmaster · 07-24-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsem

On Kindle Touch, 3G browser access is limited to amazon.com and wikipedia.org. That said, I think it is totally worth paying for the 3G model (though I got mine for only $110 at Walmart).

Even a new kindle touch 3G can access any web page (unless a very recent update changed that) by using the "social networking" app, navigating to facebook, turning on article mode, and clicking a posted link to google. Then from google, "the world is your oyster". No jailbreak or hack needed.

For some reason, the youtube video showing this no longer exists. But there are written instructions using Twitter instead of Facebook here. I will not post a link, but you can use your Google skills if you are interested. The page in question claims they copied their instructions from a DELETED MobileRead page (even though it does not use any jailbreak hack or other modification).

The point is, you CAN access any web page if you know what options to select in the built-in kindle touch 3G menus. This has not been tested on the new 5.1.2 firmware, so perhaps they fixed it by now (or not).

jreuschl · 07-24-2012, 04:06 PM

This was useful on a trip to Turkey I took in the spring, too bad

Users using it to tether PCs I'm sure was a big red flag...

http://www.justsearchseo.co.uk/tools/page-size/ Use that to calculate a page size.

This page as it stands could be downloaded 517 times over the 50MB limit. That isn't too bad if you really limit your use to absolutely necessary situations.

geoffwood · 07-24-2012, 04:19 PM

Even without tethering, overseas use is expensive. I'm sure Amazon gets a good deal, but roaming on AT&T costs Joe Public $19.98 per MB. So Amazon is still giving you a service that would cost $1000/month at street prices. I know it sucks that they changed the rules, but it is still free data.

Shack70 · 07-24-2012, 04:24 PM

I just sent Amazon support an email about how unhappy I am to be punished for the actions of a few bad apples. I paid extra for my 3G Kindle and expect the service that was promised to me when I bought it. I have been planning on buying the new Kindle Fire when it comes out but now may get the Google Nexus instead just because I don't feel like supporting Amazon right now.

AnemicOak · 07-24-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shack70

I just sent Amazon support an email about how unhappy I am to be punished for the actions of a few bad apples. I paid extra for my 3G Kindle and expect the service that was promised to me when I bought it.

Did they actually promise unlimited 3G browsing? I can't remember.

I've always looked at the whole browser as a feature that could go away since it's always been experimental.

DiapDealer · 07-24-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Did they actually promise unlimited 3G browsing? I can't remember.

To my knowledge... no one was ever promised unlimited free 3G web browsing forever.

Quote:

Several sources report that as of July 1st Kindle Keyboard 3G web browsing is limited to 50 MB per month in some areas outside the United States.

So Kindle 1s and 2s are exempt? Cool.

geoffwood · 07-24-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shack70

I just sent Amazon support an email about how unhappy I am to be punished for the actions of a few bad apples. I paid extra for my 3G Kindle and expect the service that was promised to me when I bought it. I have been planning on buying the new Kindle Fire when it comes out but now may get the Google Nexus instead just because I don't feel like supporting Amazon right now.

I don't recall Amazon ever saying the 3G was intended to allow you to Pay your bills and check email while travelling half way round the world, or at the nearest coffee shop.

I really struggle to understand how anybody can believe that paying a onetime $50 upgrade to get a 3G ereader somehow entitles them to unlimited global data for life.

For the record, I own a 3G Kindle with keyboard, and I don't feel hard dome by. If you think you'll get better customer Service from Google, then go for it.

geekmaster · 07-24-2012, 06:31 PM

And 50MB/month is still useful for EMERGENCY web access, for checking email and such (without images). It will certainly put a damper on the folks doing the tethered access though.

It is irritating that a few people pissing in the punch spoils it for everybody though. It is called "tragedy of the commons" and it is all too common, unfortunately.

Rather than pissing and moaning to amazon, we should THANK them that they still allow 50MB/month of unrestricted access, instead of locking it all down to a few websites like they do with the newer kindles. Also, they did not impose this data cap when used in the USA (yet).

07-24-2012, 04:06 PM	#24
jreuschl Member Posts: 10 Karma: 70 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: PRS-500	This was useful on a trip to Turkey I took in the spring, too bad Users using it to tether PCs I'm sure was a big red flag... http://www.justsearchseo.co.uk/tools/page-size/ Use that to calculate a page size. This page as it stands could be downloaded 517 times over the 50MB limit. That isn't too bad if you really limit your use to absolutely necessary situations. Last edited by jreuschl; 07-24-2012 at 04:27 PM.

07-24-2012, 06:31 PM	#30
geekmaster Carpe diem, c'est la vie. Posts: 6,433 Karma: 10773668 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Multiverse 6627A Device: K1 to PW3	And 50MB/month is still useful for EMERGENCY web access, for checking email and such (without images). It will certainly put a damper on the folks doing the tethered access though. It is irritating that a few people pissing in the punch spoils it for everybody though. It is called "tragedy of the commons" and it is all too common, unfortunately. Rather than pissing and moaning to amazon, we should THANK them that they still allow 50MB/month of unrestricted access, instead of locking it all down to a few websites like they do with the newer kindles. Also, they did not impose this data cap when used in the USA (yet). Last edited by geekmaster; 07-25-2012 at 07:57 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kindle charge before first usage	licopodicum	Amazon Kindle	11	11-13-2013 03:32 PM
Kindle 3G US usage in Europe	readerSeb	Amazon Kindle	14	10-28-2011 05:12 PM
Kindle-usage without WiFi	Torwan	Amazon Kindle	16	08-05-2011 05:40 AM
Your vote - keyboard or no keyboard on Kindle	mrzerga	Amazon Kindle	56	03-10-2011 07:22 PM
Kindle screensaver limit?	keving1701	Amazon Kindle	16	03-24-2008 11:33 PM

07-24-2012, 10:43 AM	#16
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	You made the front page at TechCrunch. http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/24/ama...p-hack-tether/

07-24-2012, 11:18 AM	#17
chamekke Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 13510 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kindle 3 Wi-Fi	Yeah, I noticed! o_0 First head over the parapet, that's me. BTW, I'd never even heard of tethering until this thread. Yikes, no wonder they established a limit.

07-24-2012, 11:39 AM	#18
yifanlu Kindle Dissector Posts: 662 Karma: 475607 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Amazon Kindle 3	I may be partly responsible for this. I used my Kindle Keyboard exclusively for internet on a trip to china last month. (No other way of getting on). I even saw the exact moment they downgraded all the images through their proxy.

07-24-2012, 11:39 AM	#19
Atilla Addict Posts: 224 Karma: 619496 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kindle 3, Kindle 3 3G, Kobo Touch, Playbook, Kobo Clara HD	I bought my second Kindle 3 the 3G variety so I can use it for emails and online banking when traveling oversees. 50 MB is cutting it too close. I have no choice but turn off the images and hope for the best. A 500 MB limit would have been more proper in my opinion.

07-24-2012, 11:50 AM	#21
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,468 Karma: 25996225 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	On Kindle Touch, 3G browser access is limited to amazon.com and wikipedia.org. That said, I think it is totally worth paying for the 3G model (though I got mine for only $110 at Walmart). It is not just for Kindle Store/library access: all of the internet-enabled reading features are available whenever 3G is (sync, Translate, wikipedia lookup, rate this book, report content error, Share). I use wikipedia lookup a lot (the article summary pops up just like dictionary definitions, no need to launch browser unless you want more than the summary). It's a pain to connect to wifi sometimes also, and KT will not connect at all to one wifi network that I spend a lot of time in.

07-24-2012, 12:45 PM	#22
Dallista Connoisseur Posts: 51 Karma: 128 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: K3, PW	Wow, that is really bad news for me. I've been using it as free internet access on hols in the US and Japan. 50 Mb doesn't sounds like a lot...

07-24-2012, 04:19 PM	#25
geoffwood Addict Posts: 226 Karma: 511024 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: K4NT+K4T+PRST1	Even without tethering, overseas use is expensive. I'm sure Amazon gets a good deal, but roaming on AT&T costs Joe Public $19.98 per MB. So Amazon is still giving you a service that would cost $1000/month at street prices. I know it sucks that they changed the rules, but it is still free data.

07-24-2012, 04:24 PM	#26
Shack70 Guru Posts: 775 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Fire 10", Honor 8 Android Phone	I just sent Amazon support an email about how unhappy I am to be punished for the actions of a few bad apples. I paid extra for my 3G Kindle and expect the service that was promised to me when I bought it. I have been planning on buying the new Kindle Fire when it comes out but now may get the Google Nexus instead just because I don't feel like supporting Amazon right now.