Amazon Kindle review - Page 2

pilotbob · 11-20-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

But just think what's going to happen when the telecoms operators in the US decide to shut down the old CDMA networks and switch entirely to GSM - and that day will come.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...05/ai_n8783876

"CDMA is a newer technology and has the advantage of 10 years of development over GSM,"

JSWolf · 11-20-2007, 06:03 PM

Maybe Amazon is testing the waters in the USA with the Kindle and is using EVDO because that is what they feel is best for the USA. It is entirely possible that sometime down the line they could come out with a new version that will work outside the USA. That way, it won't matter that the USA version uses EVDO. We just don't know.

HarryT · 11-21-2007, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...05/ai_n8783876

"CDMA is a newer technology and has the advantage of 10 years of development over GSM,"

That article you quote is from 1998. A lot has happened in the 10 years since then; GSM has become the dominant global standard, and is rapidly becoming so even in the US.

beartard · 11-21-2007, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

That article you quote is from 1998. A lot has happened in the 10 years since then; GSM has become the dominant global standard, and is rapidly becoming so even in the US.

You can't really make any good arguments for GSM vs. CDMA anymore. No one can. The problem with saying GSM is a "global standard" is that it's easily called old and stagnant technology because of that. Fact is, GSM is a derivative of TDMA, which we largely got rid of here in the US a few years back (thankfully.)

The waters get murkier when you realize that the new standard (UMTS) rolling out across Europe soon, though being called "GSM" because it comes from the same providers and uses a SIM card, is actually CDMA-based technology.

So to be technologically technical, CDMA is becoming the default, global standard.

That said, I use a GSM provider in the US

HarryT · 11-21-2007, 07:19 AM

Thanks beartard, that's very interesting information.

My point is, however, that EDGE (GSM) is available world-wide - there's someone on the Kindle forum accessing the forum via EDGE from Nepal, for example. CDMA networks outside North (and South?) America are virtually non-existant. I think Apple made the right decision is going for EDGE for the iPhone - it makes it a world-wide device.

tompe · 11-21-2007, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Maybe Amazon is testing the waters in the USA with the Kindle and is using EVDO because that is what they feel is best for the USA. It is entirely possible that sometime down the line they could come out with a new version that will work outside the USA. That way, it won't matter that the USA version uses EVDO. We just don't know.

What I do not understand is that one of the selling points for the the Kindle is that it is useful when traveling. But if you travel abroad you cannot download a new book. It will be a total mess if they sell a gsm variant in other countries because people will complain that they cannot download books when traveling in the US.

stustaff · 11-21-2007, 08:38 AM

Agree entirely when choosing the sony a couple of factors came up.
I live in the UK so the kindle kind of doesnt make sense!
but even if I buy a UK kindle will I be able to DL books when I go on holiday to spain? or the US? etc the download on the go is pointless for me to be honest.

I will just make sure I have a 100 books on my device before I go away!

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11-20-2007, 06:03 PM	#17
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,123 Karma: 144284184 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Maybe Amazon is testing the waters in the USA with the Kindle and is using EVDO because that is what they feel is best for the USA. It is entirely possible that sometime down the line they could come out with a new version that will work outside the USA. That way, it won't matter that the USA version uses EVDO. We just don't know.

11-21-2007, 07:19 AM	#20
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thanks beartard, that's very interesting information. My point is, however, that EDGE (GSM) is available world-wide - there's someone on the Kindle forum accessing the forum via EDGE from Nepal, for example. CDMA networks outside North (and South?) America are virtually non-existant. I think Apple made the right decision is going for EDGE for the iPhone - it makes it a world-wide device.

11-21-2007, 08:38 AM	#22
stustaff Wizard Posts: 1,055 Karma: 2110 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Derbyshire UK Device: sony reader PRS505 and 600	Agree entirely when choosing the sony a couple of factors came up. I live in the UK so the kindle kind of doesnt make sense! but even if I buy a UK kindle will I be able to DL books when I go on holiday to spain? or the US? etc the download on the go is pointless for me to be honest. I will just make sure I have a 100 books on my device before I go away!