is not wanting 3g a case of not knowing what you're missing?

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by amward

I haven't got a kindle, I was talking hypothetically and thinking of a Kobo WiFi for example.

I would say no. If I'm not mistaken almost all library downloads require a computer. The library DRM is attached to ADE only and requires your device to be registered to ADE. Normally when I download a library book I send it to my computer and then side load through ADE.

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

I would say no. If I'm not mistaken almost all library downloads require a computer. The library DRM is attached to ADE only and requires your device to be registered to ADE. Normally when I download a library book I send it to my computer and then side load through ADE.

I can download library books directly to my Nook Color through the Overdrive app. No computer or ADE necessary.

I believe any Android device that can install apps from the Market has this capability.

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by khalleron

I can download library books directly to my Nook Color through the Overdrive app. No computer or ADE necessary.

I believe any Android device that can install apps from the Market has this capability.

Oooh apps. I don't have any apps, lol. I think that maybe only devices with apps can perform this action?

[EowynCarter]

No, it's a case of different people, different needs, different uses. Not everyone is the same.

[katysax]

My first two Kindles had the 3G because there was no alternative. I often thought I'd be fine with wifi. Then the new Kindle came out with wifi and I was happy to get it. However, I did miss it. I recently decided to get the Kindle with special offers (because the offers are a good deal) and ordered one with the 3G.

Why did I miss it? Well there are times when I am away from wifi that I want to browse the book store. And, the wifi is good, but occasionally it loses connectivity with my router. When I had the 3G connectivity was always there, never an issue. Also, occasionally when I don't have my Kindle with me I'll pick up reading on a phone, and the 3G model was better at sending my bookmarked place in the book back to Amazon.

Is the 3G a major issue for me? No, not at all. Did I miss it? Yes. It was worth the extra $20 when I decided to get the special offers Kindle, but it isn't a big deal.

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

Oooh apps. I don't have any apps, lol. I think that maybe only devices with apps can perform this action?

AFAIK, that is so.

Perhaps future models of ereaders might come with Overdrive already integrated.

[rkomar]

Originally Posted by khalleron

Perhaps future models of ereaders might come with Overdrive already integrated.

Most ereaders run Linux. There's a separate thread in this forum about how the latest version of ADE stopped working under Wine in Linux because Adobe built it using .Net technology. Adobe have mentioned that they have no plans to produce a native Linux version. So, I can't see an Overdrive app on Linux-based ereaders anytime soon.

Edit: Oops! I missed the message above stating that there _is_ an Overdrive app for Android-based systems. I assume it wasn't built by Adobe. I wonder if whoever built it would also build a version for the non-Android Linux ereaders?

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by rkomar

Most ereaders run Linux. There's a separate thread in this forum about how the latest version of ADE stopped working under Wine in Linux because Adobe built it using .Net technology. Adobe have mentioned that they have no plans to produce a native Linux version. So, I can't see an Overdrive app on Linux-based ereaders anytime soon.

Edit: Oops! I missed the message above stating that there _is_ an Overdrive app for Android-based systems. I assume it wasn't built by Adobe. I wonder if whoever built it would also build a version for the non-Android Linux ereaders?

It's the official Overdrive Media for Android app. There's probably a version for i-devices - someone who has one might want to chime in?

Android is becoming increasingly popular as an OS for ereaders. I don't think the idea of an Overdrive integrated ereader is too farfetched.

[Jack Tingle]

Personally, I have 3G on my Kindle 3. I use the 3G about once a month. It's occasionally useful, but I have a nice WiFi router than can cover my entire house and back yard, which is where I use the K3 the most.

If I had to do it over, I might save the $50 and just get the WiFi version. That's a stiff price for something you use once a month. The big advantage is being able to buy a book when I'm traveling. That's not really a dominant argument. YMMV.

Regards,
Jack Tingle

[amward]

It all sounds too techie for me, I think I'm right and I don''t need WiFi or 3G, I'll just do it with the computer. Thanks for all the input everyone.

[djulian]

I think plenty of folks consider it and don't feel like it's worth the extra cost. And for folks w/ smartphones or laptops w/ constant internet access, it's probably not worth it.

I paid the extra because I tested out the K3G browser and found out I can snag my gmail, get maps, and check my toodledo when I'm on the road, and I don't have to have my laptop along to do it.

And the best part is--doing all of that works, but it's just enough of a pain that I don't spend much time online. I can get offline quickly and either get to work or get to reading. Using my laptop for those purposes often results in me "losing" large chunks of time. (Technically, I turned my laptop on about an hour ago to check my e-mail, but an Adidas ad caught my attention and then some Failblog videos and then a news story and then here I am surfing MobileRead! )

We're heading to Canada in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking forward to leaving my laptop behind and reading a ton, but it's nice to know I can do a quick check for urgent messages while I'm sitting by a Great Lake.

[patrickt]

I'm amazed at how many people have to find an explanation for other people disagreeing with them. The fact that people are different, have different needs, or even that they might be wrong is inconceivable. So, the others are stupid, misinformed, refusing to learn, willfully ignorarnt, or my personal favorite, they're so perverse they make decision that are against their best interest. Their best interest being, of course, what I tell them they are.

Pitiful.

Gee, I wonder if the author of the OP is one of those addicted to the newest and best whether he needs it or not?

[OtterBooks]

I've never used a 3G reader so I suppose technically I don't know what I'm missing. Since I never even use the wifi, though, I have a pretty good guess.

[teadonkey]

I am so perfectly happy with Wifi. If I know I'll be somewhere without Wifi for a longer period of time and I might finish what I'm reading, I either start one of the several free books I have sitting on my Kindle or I download one ahead of time. I very much don't like the web browser on Kindles anyway, and I didn't buy one for it. I bought one to read one. If I have to look up a word, I use the dictionary. If I have to look up something else, I have a list in the memo pad on my phone of things to google later. In fact, my android phone has 3G but I never use it. I only hop on facebook when I have a wifi connection.

I love simplicity. I don't need 3G.

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by amward

This is a dumb question (especially as I've already said I don't need it ) , but does the WiFi just mean it has internet browsing capabilities? And could download books from the library with it?

WiFi means it can connect to a WiFi network, like at a Starbucks.

3G uses the cellular data system, like smart phones, so you can access anywhere you have a good 3G signal.

WiFi tends to be a faster connection than 3G.

And 4G is coming, which is a higher speed cellular data network.