How long can Amazon keep up with the free 3G? - Page 2

Solicitous · 10-10-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't see why they decide to stop offering it. The typical price for "pay as you go" internet via 3G here in the UK is somewhere around £10 for 1GB of data transfer. The average eBook is about 300kb in size, which means that even if I was personally paying to send the book to the Kindle, it would cost around 0.3p (about half a US cent) to do so. That's an insignificant amount when compared to the price of a book, and I'm sure that Amazon negotiates enormously cheaper data rates than I can get.

I strongly suspect that the overwhelming majority of Kindle 3G owners never use the 3G for anything other than buying books.

+1

Just to add, it is part of Amazon's ebook service, the ability for someone to own a Kindle and never need a computer to access the bookstore and their paid titles. IIRC the 3.0.1 update allows you to create an Amazon account from the Kindle.

I myself didn't go the 3G path (as many others did - only opted for the wifi-only) as I don't really go anywhere for prolong periods of time, and with wifi at home I could not see any benefit to myself to get the 3G. I figure if I do go away and really need to get the Kindle online I can pull into a local McDonalds and hook on their free wifi and download what I need to that way (yes wifi at maccas is free in Aus, 50mb limit, no time limit).

krazy4katz · 10-10-2010, 11:09 PM

I suspect the reason Amazon came out with the WiFi version was to reduce the cost of 3G so that they could keep it free. It seems like a smart move. More for the customer at less cost to them.

Also, they have never promised that the Browser would be free forever, just shopping in the Kindle Store.

SensualPoet · 10-10-2010, 11:25 PM

Canada is another of the countries where the Whispernet Tax has pretty much faded away to $0.

Free Internet access has been part of the business model since the Kindle was launched in 2007. The underlying vision is "always connected" and it started with the bookstore, broadened to the web, and now embraces twitter and shared bookmarks and annotations. The Kindle 3 brings wifi to the table extending the connectedness without Amazon incurring 3G charges (plus, wifi is typically faster than 3G).

I was in the Ottawa airport last week, my flight delayed an hour, and I fired up the web browser on the wifi only Kindle 3 I own. Guess what? I was reading the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and elsewhere in an entirely credible experience. It cost neither me nor Amazon a penny in airtime charges. When I got on the plane, I went back to reading my e-novel.

No one would buy a Kindle primarily as a web access tool -- but it's a very handy perk and differentiator among other ereaders. And, as I am discovering, the $50 savings for wifi only for me was the right choice as my actual need for 3G is very limited. Wifi exists at home, in hotels and airports ... and the Kindle 3G connects easily in all these places when needed.

carld · 10-10-2010, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazy4katz

I suspect the reason Amazon came out with the WiFi version was to reduce the cost of 3G so that they could keep it free. It seems like a smart move. More for the customer at less cost to them.

Also, they have never promised that the Browser would be free forever, just shopping in the Kindle Store.

I was going to make the same point. I would guess that wi-fi has caused a drop in 3G demand, and Amazon's costs. I know I haven't used 3G much at all since I got the K3.

Onemack · 10-11-2010, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushka

as every book costs $2 more than in the USA store .

Don't agree with that the free books are free, and I have never been charged a $2.00 fee either.

diokdin · 10-11-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazy4katz

I suspect the reason Amazon came out with the WiFi version was to reduce the cost of 3G so that they could keep it free. It seems like a smart move. More for the customer at less cost to them.

Also, they have never promised that the Browser would be free forever, just shopping in the Kindle Store.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carld

I was going to make the same point. I would guess that wi-fi has caused a drop in 3G demand, and Amazon's costs. I know I haven't used 3G much at all since I got the K3.

Since I have my K3 (3G+wifi version) I only use the 3G on it for like 2-3 times just to check and download the ebook sample and buy 1 book. And also just to check it, after that I usually turn off the wireless or use wifi. So I think 3G will be free for a long while.

curstpriest · 10-11-2010, 04:20 AM

Amazon runs their network in a semi-intelligent way, everything goes through a proxy. They will, undoubtedly, start throttling/limiting/capping users if there is ever a problem. I don't doubt that every device is being monitored in some way (at the very least, bandwidth usage statistics, and probably network usage -edge-3g-etc) However, with the cell-boom going on (idiots are buying android/iPhones in astronomical proportions) don't expect ATT/SPRINT to really care about miniscule data rates from kindle devices. If anything, amazon will target people who abuse the device (tether it and use the modem over USB to download files/surf the web on their computer) or use the web excessively.

Oldpilot · 10-11-2010, 06:46 AM

It isnt free in Australia either, as every book costs $2 more than in the USA store (and this has nothing to do with VAT, Currency exchanges, publisher costs, import duties, export duties or the kitchen sink! - before anyone chimes in with this explanation).

Well, actually it has to do with all these things, but your basic point is valid: It's not free anywhere! It's built in to the price of the books, including those free books that are available because Amazon wanted a critical mass three years ago to make Kindle-buying worthwhile, and because publishers have cut deals with Amz to hype new authors or series. These motives don't apply nearly as greatly outside the US, hence the "overseas" surcharges.

BTW: does Oz charge VAT on ebooks, as Britain does? (Print no, digital yes--isn't that weird?)

I have a K2 and would never dream of using it for web browsing. Interesting that the K3 is so much more robust. Yet Amazon can and apparently does limit speed--I wonder why the change? I suppose that as long as you use the web to enhance the reading experience (say to check the online bibliography) it's an acceptable small addition to the cost of providing the book. Or does Jeff Bezos have a Plan that's not yet visible to us mortals?

Pushka · 10-11-2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldpilot

BTW: does Oz charge VAT on ebooks, as Britain does? (Print no, digital yes--isn't that weird?

GST is charged on all books and ebooks too, but only if they are purchased from Australian sources. There is no GST charged on ebooks purchased from Amazon, B&N etc.

mdovell · 10-11-2010, 08:48 AM

The thing to remember is the Kindle is primarily text and b&w photos. Technically it would be interesting if say it could download mp3's and play them but that would probably cause a potential uproar with the riaa.

I know there's those early technologies that might have video but the bandwith might not be there yet.

I've heard that AT&T has had some problems with the amount of bandwith with apple products. Simply put if they tried to make 3g ipads with free service they'd be broke in no time!

Helgetus · 10-11-2010, 04:12 PM

Here in Germany my K3 with 3G + Wifi, the 3G is only for access to the Amazon store and Wiki.en
I was using 3G in Korea two weeks ago. Access as if I was in Germany. Periodicals download smooth and automatic and for free! No access to the web though, other than Amazon and Wiki.en.
The time of the Kindle was set to the local time automatically.

Helgetus · 10-11-2010, 04:13 PM

LOL
I can even post earlier than the previous post !! Time Zones, geeez

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10-10-2010, 11:09 PM	#17
krazy4katz Addict Posts: 367 Karma: 1552656 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: [Kindle 1, Kindle 3 (KK)], Kindle Voyage, iPad Pro	I suspect the reason Amazon came out with the WiFi version was to reduce the cost of 3G so that they could keep it free. It seems like a smart move. More for the customer at less cost to them. Also, they have never promised that the Browser would be free forever, just shopping in the Kindle Store.

10-10-2010, 11:25 PM	#18
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	Canada is another of the countries where the Whispernet Tax has pretty much faded away to $0. Free Internet access has been part of the business model since the Kindle was launched in 2007. The underlying vision is "always connected" and it started with the bookstore, broadened to the web, and now embraces twitter and shared bookmarks and annotations. The Kindle 3 brings wifi to the table extending the connectedness without Amazon incurring 3G charges (plus, wifi is typically faster than 3G). I was in the Ottawa airport last week, my flight delayed an hour, and I fired up the web browser on the wifi only Kindle 3 I own. Guess what? I was reading the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and elsewhere in an entirely credible experience. It cost neither me nor Amazon a penny in airtime charges. When I got on the plane, I went back to reading my e-novel. No one would buy a Kindle primarily as a web access tool -- but it's a very handy perk and differentiator among other ereaders. And, as I am discovering, the $50 savings for wifi only for me was the right choice as my actual need for 3G is very limited. Wifi exists at home, in hotels and airports ... and the Kindle 3G connects easily in all these places when needed.

10-11-2010, 04:20 AM	#22
curstpriest Confused Posts: 402 Karma: 5538 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bay Area Device: Kindle DXG	Amazon runs their network in a semi-intelligent way, everything goes through a proxy. They will, undoubtedly, start throttling/limiting/capping users if there is ever a problem. I don't doubt that every device is being monitored in some way (at the very least, bandwidth usage statistics, and probably network usage -edge-3g-etc) However, with the cell-boom going on (idiots are buying android/iPhones in astronomical proportions) don't expect ATT/SPRINT to really care about miniscule data rates from kindle devices. If anything, amazon will target people who abuse the device (tether it and use the modem over USB to download files/surf the web on their computer) or use the web excessively.

10-11-2010, 06:46 AM	#23
Oldpilot Groupie Posts: 184 Karma: 2572 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle	It isnt free in Australia either, as every book costs $2 more than in the USA store (and this has nothing to do with VAT, Currency exchanges, publisher costs, import duties, export duties or the kitchen sink! - before anyone chimes in with this explanation). Well, actually it has to do with all these things, but your basic point is valid: It's not free anywhere! It's built in to the price of the books, including those free books that are available because Amazon wanted a critical mass three years ago to make Kindle-buying worthwhile, and because publishers have cut deals with Amz to hype new authors or series. These motives don't apply nearly as greatly outside the US, hence the "overseas" surcharges. BTW: does Oz charge VAT on ebooks, as Britain does? (Print no, digital yes--isn't that weird?) I have a K2 and would never dream of using it for web browsing. Interesting that the K3 is so much more robust. Yet Amazon can and apparently does limit speed--I wonder why the change? I suppose that as long as you use the web to enhance the reading experience (say to check the online bibliography) it's an acceptable small addition to the cost of providing the book. Or does Jeff Bezos have a Plan that's not yet visible to us mortals?

10-11-2010, 08:48 AM	#25
mdovell Zealot Posts: 147 Karma: 3168 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Kindle DX	The thing to remember is the Kindle is primarily text and b&w photos. Technically it would be interesting if say it could download mp3's and play them but that would probably cause a potential uproar with the riaa. I know there's those early technologies that might have video but the bandwith might not be there yet. I've heard that AT&T has had some problems with the amount of bandwith with apple products. Simply put if they tried to make 3g ipads with free service they'd be broke in no time!

10-11-2010, 04:12 PM	#26
Helgetus Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 172 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Germany Device: PW1, PW2, KB3G, Sony PRS-T3	Here in Germany my K3 with 3G + Wifi, the 3G is only for access to the Amazon store and Wiki.en I was using 3G in Korea two weeks ago. Access as if I was in Germany. Periodicals download smooth and automatic and for free! No access to the web though, other than Amazon and Wiki.en. The time of the Kindle was set to the local time automatically.

10-11-2010, 04:13 PM	#27
Helgetus Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 172 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Germany Device: PW1, PW2, KB3G, Sony PRS-T3	LOL I can even post earlier than the previous post !! Time Zones, geeez