Going with K2 in Canada afterall

SteGar · 03-25-2009, 09:26 PM

Hi guys,

I have been reading up on ways to make Kindle works in Canada here and on a couple of other forums and I really believe it is worth doing it.

There seems to be an easy way to work around Amazon "protectionism" by using a US account with a US address (which I have through extended family) and gift certificates.

Obviously the whispernet and/or wireless functionality will be missing from the experience, but when Amazon will resolve this issue with a Canadian cellular provider, I'll be able to get it. In the interval, I'll use the Kindle like I would use any other reader... with my computer and a USB wire...

Anybody got horror stories I should know before going forward ??

astra · 03-26-2009, 01:43 PM

I am not sure the topic belongs to News and Commentary

pilotbob · 03-26-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

I am not sure the topic belongs to News and Commentary

I agree. SteGar I am going to move it to "Which on should I buy". I hope that's ok.

BOb

SteGar · 03-26-2009, 02:44 PM

Yep...no problem moving it.

I guess I thought I would get comments by putting it there. Sorry about that !

Hopefully, I have more luck and input for the participants.

Thanks

P.S. did I mentioned, I'm new at this !!

MelC · 03-26-2009, 03:03 PM

Why so gung-ho on the Kindle? Seems like a lot of workaround for something that won't do much more for you than a Sony (although I can't speak for content availability there) or a Cybook (happy).

The primary hook for the Kindle is the ability to buy a book anywhere anytime and if you can't use that function the only thing left I think would be (a) the ability to annotate and highlight which (as I hate mini-keyboards) is a feature I happily traded for a better proportioned device and screen (as well as less heartbreakingly ugly), and (b) availability of content which I think is not that overwhelmingly better than that available through mobipocket (also owned by Amazon).

As for being able to use the device in Canada if and when they get a service provider here, I am curious as to whether that is in fact going to be the case? Is there an exchangeable SIM card or is the connection hardwired into the device?

Of course all I am doing is regurgitating for you all the reasons why I bought a Cybook although an additional reason was my dislike for US only service providers which both Sony and Amazon were at the time of purchase over a year ago. Of course you will have your own reasons for wanting the Kindle and maybe the notetaking and annotation features are key for you?

Mel

SteGar · 03-26-2009, 08:43 PM

Thanks Mel for the post.

I haven't look at the Cybook, but I don't know who's selling it in Canada... this being said, I have seen the Sony 700 in the States ( in display at Borders books store) and I liked it, but was not convinced. Then the K2 comes out and I liked the design (the K1 was utterly ugly I agree, but the K2... come on). There is also the eventuality (as slim as it may be...) to get magazines subscriptions through whispernet that I won't have ever if I go with Sony or any other that don't offer this functionality...

At the end of the day, I am still undecided and not that gung-ho afterall...

As for the workaround... being from Quebec, even if I go with Sony, I'll have to buy it in Ontario....never a dull moment !!

Ciao !

catsittingstill · 03-26-2009, 10:48 PM

Even if whispernet doesn't work for you (and it won't, in Canada--at least not now) the Kindle still has annotate, highlight, search, and dictionary capability, all of which I use regularly.

But your mileage may vary, as they say.

daffy4u · 03-26-2009, 11:12 PM

And there's still that big old catalog of books with Amazon (not just a bajillion public domain titles). Not sure how books pricing works for you because I don't know how the U.S. dolloar doing in relation to the Canadian dollar. Will you get more bang for your buck by buying from Amazon as opposed to places like Fictionwise or BooksonBoard.

haver · 03-28-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteGar

I haven't look at the Cybook, but I don't know who's selling it in Canada... being from Quebec, even if I go with Sony, I'll have to buy it in Ontario....never a dull moment !!

Ciao !

I found that the Cybook Gen3 is sold by Archambault. They are also planning to start releasing ebooks this year.

SteGar · 03-29-2009, 10:15 PM

Thanks Haver,

This is great news, but does Cybook has French software application? Not that I need it, it's just that Sony in not allowed to sell its PRS (even if the user guide is bilingual) since it would not respect Quebec language laws... Which make my last visit at a Sony store pretty frustrating.

I will definitevely look into it. I must admit that the K2 is pretty much locked in...

To be continued !

HarryT · 03-30-2009, 02:47 AM

Yes, the CyBook allows you to change the user interface to any of half a dozen different languages, French included.

SteGar · 03-30-2009, 01:09 PM

Well I'll say this, Sony should take a page out of this playbook !!

I will look at it more closely then.

Thanks guys !

All4Fun · 03-30-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteGar

Hi guys,

I have been reading up on ways to make Kindle works in Canada here and on a couple of other forums and I really believe it is worth doing it.

There seems to be an easy way to work around Amazon "protectionism" by using a US account with a US address (which I have through extended family) and gift certificates.

Obviously the whispernet and/or wireless functionality will be missing from the experience, but when Amazon will resolve this issue with a Canadian cellular provider, I'll be able to get it. In the interval, I'll use the Kindle like I would use any other reader... with my computer and a USB wire...

Anybody got horror stories I should know before going forward ??

It's doubtful that when Amazon releases a "Canadian" Kindle that your "U.S." device will be compatible in Canada. The whispernet feature is using Sprint's EVDO service (CDMA provider) which would be incompatible with Bell or Telus' (other CDMA providers) network. This is similar in concept to not being able to use Sprint cellular devices on Bell or Telus' network.

SteGar · 03-30-2009, 09:17 PM

Interesting point all4fun.

This being said, I agree that Bell and Telus would not be able to accomodate a service like whispernet, but my understanding is that Rogers would be.

As a matter of fact, Rogers is apparently the only one of the 3 carrying G3 network (ie this is why the IPhone is only available through Fido, a Rogers subsidiary). My brother in law was telling me last night that Bell Blackberry World was even piggybacking on the Rogers network...

I will investigate further, but since I have to travel to the US 6 to 8 times a year... I could use the wireless feature then at least.

SteGar · 03-30-2009, 09:40 PM

All4fun,

Here is an interesting article on the subject...

http://indexmb.com/why-no-kindle-in-...sper-wireless/

In the end, the issue might not be the network after all, but rather a company named Jasper Wireless...In any event, patience will be needed !!

Stegar

03-25-2009, 09:26 PM	#1
SteGar Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 174 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Montreal, Canada Device: Kindle 2	Going with K2 in Canada afterall Hi guys, I have been reading up on ways to make Kindle works in Canada here and on a couple of other forums and I really believe it is worth doing it. There seems to be an easy way to work around Amazon "protectionism" by using a US account with a US address (which I have through extended family) and gift certificates. Obviously the whispernet and/or wireless functionality will be missing from the experience, but when Amazon will resolve this issue with a Canadian cellular provider, I'll be able to get it. In the interval, I'll use the Kindle like I would use any other reader... with my computer and a USB wire... Anybody got horror stories I should know before going forward ??

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03-26-2009, 01:43 PM	#2
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	I am not sure the topic belongs to News and Commentary

03-26-2009, 02:44 PM	#4
SteGar Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 174 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Montreal, Canada Device: Kindle 2	Yep...no problem moving it. I guess I thought I would get comments by putting it there. Sorry about that ! Hopefully, I have more luck and input for the participants. Thanks P.S. did I mentioned, I'm new at this !!

03-26-2009, 03:03 PM	#5
MelC Evangelist Posts: 410 Karma: 2081 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: Cybook Gen3, PRS600	Why so gung-ho on the Kindle? Seems like a lot of workaround for something that won't do much more for you than a Sony (although I can't speak for content availability there) or a Cybook (happy). The primary hook for the Kindle is the ability to buy a book anywhere anytime and if you can't use that function the only thing left I think would be (a) the ability to annotate and highlight which (as I hate mini-keyboards) is a feature I happily traded for a better proportioned device and screen (as well as less heartbreakingly ugly), and (b) availability of content which I think is not that overwhelmingly better than that available through mobipocket (also owned by Amazon). As for being able to use the device in Canada if and when they get a service provider here, I am curious as to whether that is in fact going to be the case? Is there an exchangeable SIM card or is the connection hardwired into the device? Of course all I am doing is regurgitating for you all the reasons why I bought a Cybook although an additional reason was my dislike for US only service providers which both Sony and Amazon were at the time of purchase over a year ago. Of course you will have your own reasons for wanting the Kindle and maybe the notetaking and annotation features are key for you? Mel

03-26-2009, 08:43 PM	#6
SteGar Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 174 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Montreal, Canada Device: Kindle 2	Thanks Mel for the post. I haven't look at the Cybook, but I don't know who's selling it in Canada... this being said, I have seen the Sony 700 in the States ( in display at Borders books store) and I liked it, but was not convinced. Then the K2 comes out and I liked the design (the K1 was utterly ugly I agree, but the K2... come on). There is also the eventuality (as slim as it may be...) to get magazines subscriptions through whispernet that I won't have ever if I go with Sony or any other that don't offer this functionality... At the end of the day, I am still undecided and not that gung-ho afterall... As for the workaround... being from Quebec, even if I go with Sony, I'll have to buy it in Ontario....never a dull moment !! Ciao !

03-26-2009, 10:48 PM	#7
catsittingstill Guru Posts: 643 Karma: 551634 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle 1.0.8, iPod Touch, Kindle Keyboard	Even if whispernet doesn't work for you (and it won't, in Canada--at least not now) the Kindle still has annotate, highlight, search, and dictionary capability, all of which I use regularly. But your mileage may vary, as they say.

03-26-2009, 11:12 PM	#8
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	And there's still that big old catalog of books with Amazon (not just a bajillion public domain titles). Not sure how books pricing works for you because I don't know how the U.S. dolloar doing in relation to the Canadian dollar. Will you get more bang for your buck by buying from Amazon as opposed to places like Fictionwise or BooksonBoard.

03-29-2009, 10:15 PM	#10
SteGar Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 174 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Montreal, Canada Device: Kindle 2	Thanks Haver, This is great news, but does Cybook has French software application? Not that I need it, it's just that Sony in not allowed to sell its PRS (even if the user guide is bilingual) since it would not respect Quebec language laws... Which make my last visit at a Sony store pretty frustrating. I will definitevely look into it. I must admit that the K2 is pretty much locked in... To be continued !

03-30-2009, 02:47 AM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes, the CyBook allows you to change the user interface to any of half a dozen different languages, French included.

03-30-2009, 01:09 PM	#12
SteGar Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 174 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Montreal, Canada Device: Kindle 2	Well I'll say this, Sony should take a page out of this playbook !! I will look at it more closely then. Thanks guys !

03-30-2009, 09:17 PM	#14
SteGar Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 174 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Montreal, Canada Device: Kindle 2	Interesting point all4fun. This being said, I agree that Bell and Telus would not be able to accomodate a service like whispernet, but my understanding is that Rogers would be. As a matter of fact, Rogers is apparently the only one of the 3 carrying G3 network (ie this is why the IPhone is only available through Fido, a Rogers subsidiary). My brother in law was telling me last night that Bell Blackberry World was even piggybacking on the Rogers network... I will investigate further, but since I have to travel to the US 6 to 8 times a year... I could use the wireless feature then at least.

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03-30-2009, 09:40 PM	#15
SteGar Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 174 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Montreal, Canada Device: Kindle 2	All4fun, Here is an interesting article on the subject... http://indexmb.com/why-no-kindle-in-...sper-wireless/ In the end, the issue might not be the network after all, but rather a company named Jasper Wireless...In any event, patience will be needed !! Stegar