Canadian vs US version of Kindle 3?

[Baldrake]

Sorry Yes I got it, and if works perfectly!

[Blendama]

That's amazing news! Thanks for the update!

So did you register it with a Canadian address?

[ProfCrash]

Keep in mind that the Kindle bought in the US is suppose to work across the globe. So a US Kindle should work in any country that the Kindle can ship to.

I would guess that Amazon prefers that people outside the US use the different sim card because that somehow translates to fewer roaming costs but I could be wrong. Pure guess on my part.

[Baldrake]

@blendama: yes, I registered with my Canadian address, and therefore enjoy the pleasure of GeoLocking.

@ProfCrash: see daffy4u's post earlier in the thread; it sure looks like the Canadian model is exactly the same as the US model. I'm guessing Amazon has worked out some roaming deal with a local carrier, but similarly to you, that's just a guess.

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by Baldrake

@blendama: yes, I registered with my Canadian address, and therefore enjoy the pleasure of GeoLocking.

@ProfCrash: see daffy4u's post earlier in the thread; it sure looks like the Canadian model is exactly the same as the US model. I'm guessing Amazon has worked out some roaming deal with a local carrier, but similarly to you, that's just a guess.

I am sure that Amazon gets charged a reduced roaming fee but would probably prefer to avoid the fee altogether. The best way to do that is to have one model using a chip that works best, ie cheapest fees, in the US and one chip for everywhere else that uses a different cell phone system.

[sjt]

HI

I want to buy a kindle for my father who lives in Canada. I reside in the US and want to order it here and bring it to him for Christmas. Will I just be able to register it on his amazon.ca account with his Canadian credit card? What is the GeoLocking that was referred to? Thank you in advance for your reply.

[Helix70]

Hi All,

I have an international version Kindle 3 and I love it.

I was thinking about buying a white US version kindle 3 on Ebay for my Girlfriend so I could a) get a white one, and b) get it before Christmas (5 weeks on Amazon, for a graphite one!).

I am confused about registration and Whispernet. Can I use Whispernet in Australia if I buy the US one on Ebay, and can I attach it to my existing account so we can read the same library of books that I buy?

Thanks in advance!

[ProfCrash]

Yes you can use whispernet in Australia if you by a US one. You would be able to do so if you bought a US one from the US store. You add her to your account so you can share books.

[Cid]

I was wondering the same thing; I am looking at a Kindle3 WIFI ONLY but the international Kindle for Germany (as said Wifi only) has a 5-7 week(!) delivery estimate, while the US is in stock. Wtf? I'll be in the US soon so I'll pick it up there (and a DXG too).

[ProfCrash]

WOHOOO. Enjoy them when you get them!

[Pushka]

I bought a white 3G from the USA and use whispernet here in Australia. It must be a different provider to the usual Australian one (vodaphone) because the USA one has better service!

[Canadian reader]

Kindle US Vs Kindle International - All about International WhisperNet

The two Kindles are not different in ANY way except for the International WhisperNet. In particular –

1. The international kindle uses AT&T’s network, has a HSDPA wireless modem using GSM technology, and has WhisperNet capabilities all over the world.
2. The US Kindle uses Sprint’s EVDO network and has a wireless modem which cannot work with international GSM networks.

In every other way they are the exact same device.

Footnote: I got this off a web-site after Googling Kindle vs Kindle International which was posted Oct. 8, 2009, but failed to notice that it was a review of the Kindle 2 when it came out. Sent this to Customer Service at Amazon when I had queried if there was a difference between the kindles due to the fact that the delivery time for my Kindle 3 will be close to 2 1/2 months after ordering, when U.S. customers can still get the Kindle 3 within a few days of ordering. Amazon responded by bringing to my attention that this info related to the Kindle 2, but did say "the Kindle 3 is very similar".

"The U.S. version goes off of AT&T while the international goes off of Vodaphone. The U.S. version of the 3rd generation kindle free 3G + Wi-Fi- and of course there is the Wi-Fi only version which gets its internet off the Wi-Fi hot-spots or home networks".

[Cid]

Wow. Just wow. What a mean decision to keep german customers for the Wifi-only version on a 5-7 week waiting lifeline... Can't be the "international" USB cable. Supplies seem to be very limited.
Thanks for the info!

[ficbot]

I am thinking of buying a wi-fi one retail when I go to Florida in two weeks. If I have an existing Amazon account with my Canadian credit card and want to register it, will I run into problems if I register it (to that account) while I am physically in the US? It would suck to have to wait until I am back in Canada to play with it, but if there will be problems, I can wait until I am back here to register.

I guess my only worry is, if I buy it retail and then there is a problem later, will Amazon help me if I did not buy it from them...

[Chris Edwards]

Originally Posted by Canadian reader

Kindle US Vs Kindle International - All about International WhisperNet

The two Kindles are not different in ANY way except for the International WhisperNet. In particular –

1. The international kindle uses AT&T’s network, has a HSDPA wireless modem using GSM technology, and has WhisperNet capabilities all over the world.
2. The US Kindle uses Sprint’s EVDO network and has a wireless modem which cannot work with international GSM networks.

In every other way they are the exact same device.

I don't think that is correct.

The international kindle has a Vodafone UK SIM card and would take advantage of Voda's roaming agreements internationally.

The US kindle has an ATT SIM card and would take advantage of AT&T's roaming agreements internationally.

Both use HSDPA / GSM.

From what I understand, the current generation kindle does not use the Sprint network at all.

It seems odd that the Canadian kindle is now the international kindle instead of the US one. I bought a kindle 3 when it first came out in Canada and it is the AT&T version (identical to what is sold in the US). I was about to place another order for a christmas gift and now it is forcing the purchase of an international kindle as has been mentioned earlier.

I think that purchasing a kindle in the US and bringing it to Canada may be the only way to get one in time for Christmas, and I don't imagine there would be any consequences to that as it would be an identical kindle to what I have now.

Additionally, when you move you can change your kindle registration address, so I don't imagine that you would need to wait until you're back in Canada to register as one has noted above. Just register with your Canadian address and add your Kindle to your account. Even if you are physically in the US at the time it shouldn't care.