3G Support Ending Early 2022

Richwood · 06-08-2021, 02:59 PM

Per a letter I received this morning from Boston Scientific their cellular provider is ending 3G support early next year so they are sending out 4G replacement communications link devices for their pacemaker/defibrillator monitor units that currently use 3G communications. They do not state what provider they use. I have a combined defibrillator and pacemaker installed so this info is important to me.

If this is true of the majority of cellular service providers then a hell of a lot of ebook readers and older portable and tablet computers are going to lose communications capability for new and personal ebook library downloads from Amazon and Kobo it looks like to me. Older portable and tablet computers may also lose web browsing and communications too. Is there a inexpensive 3G TO 4G converter available for purchase that will allow continued older ereader communication with their web libraries and Amazon/Kobo? If not then a lot of older ereaders used by average users are gong to be pretty useless.

DNSB · 06-08-2021, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richwood

Per a letter I received this morning from Boston Scientific their cellular provider is ending 3G support early next year so they are sending out 4G replacement communications link devices for their pacemaker/defibrillator monitor units that currently use 3G communications. They do not state what provider they use. I have a combined defibrillator and pacemaker installed so this info is important to me.

If this is true of the majority of cellular service providers then a hell of a lot of ebook readers and older portable and tablet computers are going to lose communications capability for new and personal ebook library downloads from Amazon and Kobo it looks like to me. Older portable and tablet computers may also lose web browsing and communications too. Is there a inexpensive 3G TO 4G converter available for purchase that will allow continued older ereader communication with their web libraries and Amazon/Kobo? If not then a lot of older ereaders used by average users are gong to be pretty useless.

Minor nit. The only ereaders that I am aware of that have built-in 3G capability are from Amazon. Kobo's ereaders do not use cellular technology. I have never run into a tablet or laptop computer that depended solely on 3G for connectivity. On Apple iPads for example, adding cellular connectivity is an extra cost option whereas WiFi is builtin. Ditto for Amazon's ereaders where cellular connectivity is not available on all models. For the Oasis for example, the 8GB version does not have the "Free Cellular? option while for the 32GB version, the "Free Cellular" adds $70 to the price.

A tempest in a teapot.

Deskisamess · 06-08-2021, 04:24 PM

AT&T isn't shutting down their 3G until next year. Current Kindles with 3G connectivity also have WiFi, so the issue shouldn't be that difficult to work around. They have had WiFi connectivity since the Kindle Keyboard released in 2010.

People still using the older models without WiFi will need to side load, but given the ages of those models, I wonder how many are still in use?

JSWolf · 06-08-2021, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

AT&T isn't shutting down their 3G until next year. Current Kindles with 3G connectivity also have WiFi, so the issue shouldn't be that difficult to work around. They have had WiFi connectivity since the Kindle Keyboard released in 2010.

People still using the older models without WiFi will need to side load, but given the ages of those models, I wonder how many are still in use?

The DX/DXG does not have WiFi. Also,any iPad that does not support 4G is running an old version of iOS and should be upgraded if cell is still needed. But all iPads do have WiFi.

jhowell · 06-08-2021, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

... Also,any iPad that does not support 4G is running an old version of iOS and should be upgraded if cell is still needed. But all iPads do have WiFi.

I have an iPad Air 2 that has cellular. It runs the current version of iPad OS. As far as I know it only supports 3G and the cellular service will stop working soon.

Deskisamess · 06-08-2021, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The DX/DXG does not have WiFi. Also,any iPad that does not support 4G is running an old version of iOS and should be upgraded if cell is still needed. But all iPads do have WiFi.

I never said they did. I had both the K2 and the DXG, and do know that neither had WiFi connectivity. I said Kindles since 2010 have had WiFi. The Kindle Keyboard, released in 2010 was the first model to have wifi.

Yes, the DXG was also sold in 2010, so not all models sold in 2010 had WiFi. I suppose I misspoke.

What would we do without the constant correction? It would be chaos I tell ya, utter chaos.

DiapDealer · 06-08-2021, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

People still using the older models without WiFi will need to side load, but given the ages of those models, I wonder how many are still in use?

Mine's been in the bottom of a closet for years already.

If the batteries in most of those older 3G-only Kindles are still holding a charge, it's because they've cracked the case and done surgery to replace them.

cfrizz · 06-08-2021, 06:28 PM

I only side load my books from my pc to all my devices, always have so it doesn't impact me at all.

Tarana · 06-08-2021, 07:06 PM

It is because of medical devices and the delay in accessing 4G replacements that they extended it from Feb 2020 to 2022. It took me nearly 6 months to get my cpap machine because of all the shipping/importation delays caused by COVID. The new one has 4G. Some people need these things set remotely, so just like your heart monitor.

As to ereaders and tablets, most models use wifi as well. It has to be pretty old tech that uses 3G only for those. Also, I had to upgrade to a smartphone because virtually all the flip phones use 3g. The tech at Microcenter said in some tech, they can swap out the 3g part for a 4g.

JSWolf · 06-09-2021, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

I never said they did. I had both the K2 and the DXG, and do know that neither had WiFi connectivity. I said Kindles since 2010 have had WiFi. The Kindle Keyboard, released in 2010 was the first model to have wifi.

Yes, the DXG was also sold in 2010, so not all models sold in 2010 had WiFi. I suppose I misspoke.

What would we do without the constant correction? It would be chaos I tell ya, utter chaos.

It wasn't a correction. It was because the DX/G was not mentioned.

ShortNet · 06-10-2021, 08:34 AM

This is sad news. My non-WiFi kindles have been with me around the world - and many instances where Wi-Fi is not possible or practical. And as I travel with a kindle and not a laptop, side loading is not a good alternative. Oh well, at least the 4G ones will still work!

DiapDealer · 06-10-2021, 09:51 AM

What non-wifi Kindle are you still using that the original battery still holds a charge? Just curious more than anything.

Bricorn · 06-11-2021, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

What non-wifi Kindle are you still using that the original battery still holds a charge? Just curious more than anything.

I'm still using a Kindle DX.
I have 3; one has mainly died (kept for spares), one I'm using (which is a "bitzer" made from 2 faulty ones) and the last is my spare, almost virginal, just charged once a month to keep the battery healthy and left in a drawer.

I'll be sad when they're all gone, though there are much better choices these days. I still love the size and the "off white with dark grey writing" screen. Much easier on the eyes than brilliant white and black black.

DiapDealer · 06-11-2021, 07:51 AM

Thanks. That makes sense, with the DX being one of the last 3G-only models off the conveyor belt, I guess. But it was my understanding that the clock on the life of those rechargeable batteries started ticking right after their manufacture. I didn't know they could be noticeably extended by not using/charging them as often. Maybe I'm thinking of more recent rechargables, but I was under the impression that the number of charge cycles wasn't as relevant to battery life as straight-up battery age was these days.

Quoth · 06-11-2021, 08:57 AM

I bought a DXG when Amazon re-released old stock after the PW3 was out. It had original battery, which was replaced recently, 10 years old date.
The life is related to manufacturing date AND total number of equivalent complete cycles, which ever comes first might be battery death and number of cycles possible and capacity reduces with age.
Higher temperatures age faster.
Life is better than Lead Acid Gel cell and some high capacity NiMH, but the NiMH capacity doesn't reduce as fast per cycle. Lithium weigh less, but the best NiMH are actually similar volumetric capacity and have advantage that they can last for years if stored flat.
Lead Acid must be stored over 50% charge, and is destroyed if stored flat, esp. Gel.
Lithium best stored 33% to 66% charge and can't be recharged if totally flat. It destroys them.
Only regular NiCd, NiMH and Lead Acid can be trickle charged when charged. Gel Lead Acid, high capacity NiMH and all Lithium types must disconnect the charging when charged, trickle charging a full cell damages the cell, or for Lithium, risks fire or explosion.
See Battery University site.

06-08-2021, 02:59 PM	#1
Richwood Astronomy Nut Posts: 519 Karma: 3700000 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Reno, NV Device: Kindle (All), Kobo (Multiple), Sony (most) and Nook Glowlight Plus	3G Support Ending Early 2022 Per a letter I received this morning from Boston Scientific their cellular provider is ending 3G support early next year so they are sending out 4G replacement communications link devices for their pacemaker/defibrillator monitor units that currently use 3G communications. They do not state what provider they use. I have a combined defibrillator and pacemaker installed so this info is important to me. If this is true of the majority of cellular service providers then a hell of a lot of ebook readers and older portable and tablet computers are going to lose communications capability for new and personal ebook library downloads from Amazon and Kobo it looks like to me. Older portable and tablet computers may also lose web browsing and communications too. Is there a inexpensive 3G TO 4G converter available for purchase that will allow continued older ereader communication with their web libraries and Amazon/Kobo? If not then a lot of older ereaders used by average users are gong to be pretty useless.

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06-08-2021, 04:24 PM	#3
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,740 Karma: 45300001 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	AT&T isn't shutting down their 3G until next year. Current Kindles with 3G connectivity also have WiFi, so the issue shouldn't be that difficult to work around. They have had WiFi connectivity since the Kindle Keyboard released in 2010. People still using the older models without WiFi will need to side load, but given the ages of those models, I wonder how many are still in use?

06-08-2021, 06:28 PM	#8
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,564 Karma: 36389706 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	I only side load my books from my pc to all my devices, always have so it doesn't impact me at all.

06-08-2021, 07:06 PM	#9
Tarana Wizard Posts: 4,030 Karma: 38840460 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Minneapolis Device: PWSE, Voyage, K3, HDX, KBasic 7 & 8, Nook Glo3, Echos, Nanos	It is because of medical devices and the delay in accessing 4G replacements that they extended it from Feb 2020 to 2022. It took me nearly 6 months to get my cpap machine because of all the shipping/importation delays caused by COVID. The new one has 4G. Some people need these things set remotely, so just like your heart monitor. As to ereaders and tablets, most models use wifi as well. It has to be pretty old tech that uses 3G only for those. Also, I had to upgrade to a smartphone because virtually all the flip phones use 3g. The tech at Microcenter said in some tech, they can swap out the 3g part for a 4g.

06-10-2021, 08:34 AM	#11
ShortNet Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 2247216 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Somewhere in the Mid-Atlantic Device: Kindle (all flavors from 1 thru Oasis)	This is sad news. My non-WiFi kindles have been with me around the world - and many instances where Wi-Fi is not possible or practical. And as I travel with a kindle and not a laptop, side loading is not a good alternative. Oh well, at least the 4G ones will still work!

06-10-2021, 09:51 AM	#12
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,341 Karma: 203719646 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	What non-wifi Kindle are you still using that the original battery still holds a charge? Just curious more than anything.

06-11-2021, 07:51 AM	#14
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,341 Karma: 203719646 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Thanks. That makes sense, with the DX being one of the last 3G-only models off the conveyor belt, I guess. But it was my understanding that the clock on the life of those rechargeable batteries started ticking right after their manufacture. I didn't know they could be noticeably extended by not using/charging them as often. Maybe I'm thinking of more recent rechargables, but I was under the impression that the number of charge cycles wasn't as relevant to battery life as straight-up battery age was these days.

06-11-2021, 08:57 AM	#15
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,651 Karma: 103503445 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	I bought a DXG when Amazon re-released old stock after the PW3 was out. It had original battery, which was replaced recently, 10 years old date. The life is related to manufacturing date AND total number of equivalent complete cycles, which ever comes first might be battery death and number of cycles possible and capacity reduces with age. Higher temperatures age faster. Life is better than Lead Acid Gel cell and some high capacity NiMH, but the NiMH capacity doesn't reduce as fast per cycle. Lithium weigh less, but the best NiMH are actually similar volumetric capacity and have advantage that they can last for years if stored flat. Lead Acid must be stored over 50% charge, and is destroyed if stored flat, esp. Gel. Lithium best stored 33% to 66% charge and can't be recharged if totally flat. It destroys them. Only regular NiCd, NiMH and Lead Acid can be trickle charged when charged. Gel Lead Acid, high capacity NiMH and all Lithium types must disconnect the charging when charged, trickle charging a full cell damages the cell, or for Lithium, risks fire or explosion. See Battery University site.

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