Is Wifi a deal-breaker for you?

[jersysman]

I'm constantly on the go and it is a deal breaker for me. I must have WiFi. 3g is a nice to have. I just like the idea that, if I wanted to, I could get online and read my email, make some purchases, and do whatever. Definitely a deal breaker.

[Giggleton]

If it was the choice between a thin flexible eink reader or something thicker and nonflexible but with wifi I would take the reader sans wifi.

Mostly I just use Kindle3 wifi to send myself books through email, even though its cord is sitting right there

[rhmorrison]

I wanted the new screen that currently only the Sony 650 and Kindle 3 have and although I am all for EPUB and really liked the Sony the Kindle 3 WiFi only version was the winner; one, due to price, two, because of the WiFi. Even when buying a book over Amazon the WiFi is super, buy the book from the PC, turn on the Kindle 3, book is automatically downloaded. Magic!

[tubemonkey]

Since WiFi only downloads books from your device's official store, it's no big deal to me since I also get books from other sources.

But, I do like the ability to download library books directly to my Nook Color over WiFi. Too bad eInk devices don't have this feature.

[GraceKrispy]

I don't have wifi on my reader (Sony 505), I don't want wifi on my reader. I do use a kindle app on my droid x, and I like the ease of downloading via 3G, but I don't need it. I like the organizational system I have going on with my computer for my books on my sony.

If wifi is a deal breaker, it's more in that I don't want it, and I'd prefer my reader not to have it. I may change my mind at some point. *shrug*

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by elcreative

Wrong... a charge cycle is from 0-100% and it doesn't matter how you do it e.g. 50% to 100% = half charge cycle, do it again and that'll be one in total... For more info on correct usage of Lithium polymer batteries, try google for tech specs or read the battery/charging threads here.

The batteries do have a limited number of charge cycles of around 300-400 plus and this roughly works out to around 5-8 years of usage regardless of how incremental your charging...

[philandjan]

As I download all of my books to either a laptop or tower and then transfer from Calibre to K3 via USB lead, the wifi on the K3 is superfluous (though that doesn't mean that it doesn't come in handy at times).

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Since WiFi only downloads books from your device's official store, it's no big deal to me since I also get books from other sources.

But, I do like the ability to download library books directly to my Nook Color over WiFi. Too bad eInk devices don't have this feature.

I download books from feedbooks and project gutenberg via the Kindle browser. I occassionally stream books from oreilly's bookworm but the interface is not yet up to par.

lol, I guess I do like wifi, but I can do without it.

[issybird]

As a bellwether of my preference, even though I hate the Kobo app and love Stanza, I read my Kobo purchases on my Touch with the Kobo app. Not worth the bother of tethering and sideloading when there's an instant alternative.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

I download books from feedbooks and project gutenberg via the Kindle browser. I occassionally stream books from oreilly's bookworm but the interface is not yet up to par.

The Kindle browser is just too painful for me to deal with; so I don't.

[Ivy]

My first criterion was the screen, so I chose Kindle 3 or Sony.

Obviously, I chose Sony and Wi-Fi was not a deal breaker for me, and here's why: I own a laptop and a smartphone. I really have no need for another device that has internet access. The option to download books without connecting my reader to the PC would be nice, but not necessary since I always check many sources for books and go for the cheapest one - which is something that has to be done on a computer.

Also, I figured I would much rather that my reader has many dictionaries, than internet access. It is, after all, supposed to substitute a book.

[Ken Maltby]

I only use the WiFi for internet access, at home. I don't think it safe or wise to bridge
my regular gigabit ethernet home network with the wireless. I do plan to add a wireless
card to my Home Theater PC, to be able to access and stream/play media files stored
in that computer's local drives, out to the WiFi equipped devices. This should give me
the separation I think is prudent, not exposing my own network to the internet, or over
WiFi.

I guess I'm too much Old School to want or need an "automatic" acquisition of any kind,
even my "automatic updates" need my permission before they can download anything.

I don't expect I'll be adding my ebook library to the media library on my HTPC. I may
end up deciding that viewing my video (mostly captured TV shows) on a mobile device
is worth it, but since we are talking use at home, why would I not use my projector or
one of the PCs on my net? If I can plan ahead, I could just load up an 8GB SD card with
more hours than the 7" or larger media player/ereaders are likely to be able to play.

Luck;
Ken

[voracious71]

It would be a deal breaker for me if I only had one device. Not an absolute necessity, but I like having it and I do use it.

On a side note, the semi-Luddites on here are kind of funny..you are still reading books on a gadget, no? To me, it's kind of silly to buy a reader that doesn't have the bells and whistles, yet costs more than one with them. This applies to some of the Sony models in regards to Kindle.

[Poppaea]

Originally Posted by voracious71

On a side note, the semi-Luddites on here are kind of funny..you are still reading books on a gadget, no? To me, it's kind of silly to buy a reader that doesn't have the bells and whistles, yet costs more than one with them. This applies to some of the Sony models in regards to Kindle.

We like our gadgets to have quality. And we are willing and able to pay for quality. Sonys are build like tanks. Let's face it: When were buttons invented? And since when do reading devices have infrared touchscreens? Ah! Now look who is a tech-Luddite....

A Kindle is nothing more than a piece of button-worked plastic with an old-fashioned unnesseccary typewriter at one end, if you ask me. Its price just mirrors its worth. Actually it is on the expensive site of things given its outdated technology. But, yeah, heck, you can buy a book on the run.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by voracious71

On a side note, the semi-Luddites on here are kind of funny..you are still reading books on a gadget, no? To me, it's kind of silly to buy a reader that doesn't have the bells and whistles, yet costs more than one with them. This applies to some of the Sony models in regards to Kindle.

What Poppaea said. Also, epub IS a dealbreaker for me. (Yes, I know. I don't need to be told that Kindle can read epub once....)

I'm always surprised and a little amused at how defensive people can be about their devices. Makes no sense. We are not the enemy. Let's save our spleen for the Agency and DRM issues.

There is no perfect device, especially when individuals themselves have differing needs at different times. Most choices involve a trade-off.