Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
No, most of the world uses the internationally standard GSM technology for its phone networks, not the proprietory CDMA technology of EVDO. Many developing nations are jumping fixed-line networks altogether and going straight to GSM for their phone systems. Much of the "third world" has pretty good GSM coverage.
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Slightly off topic...
Here in Australia, CDMA is being switched off I think at the start of 2008. I just tried to google EVDO to see what it actually is and by the sounds of it, its less advanced than our next G network because people who were on EVDO got upgraded to next G. Next G is a highspeed broadband wireless network and one of the promo ads features Dustin Hoffman losing service on his cell phone and being told by an Australian girl that it would never happen in Australia (very contentious and they got pinged for misleading advertising).
Point is, Kindle's US-centric focus is old technology - I think but am not sure?? We also have GPRS over GSM but this is regarded as inferior to the next G (although its what my hiptop uses and is nice and cheap).
If the kindle was available here, I would buy it even with the usuage restrictions because it does everything I want my reader to do - books, newspapers and magazines and there wherever and whenever I want them.
If the device itself in terms of the hardware like the screen, lasted for 3 to 5 years without wearing out, it probably wouldn't matter to me that my books couldn't go with me as I rarely reread them. And the fact that its not available to me has me far far more disappointed and thanks to bookeen's euro-centric price gouging I've been pretty disappointed with the ebook world lately...