Kindle Touch 3G - no web browsing via 3G?

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't believe that this will be the case, but let's just wait and see.

Frustratingly, the email I got from them has vanished without a trace (I had intended to respond to the 'did we answer your question?' links and would not have deleted it, if I had deleted it, it would be in Trash. Nevertheless it is gone...).

I remember it also said that they had 'checked with the engineers' and confirmed that 3G was restricted to amazon.com and wikipedia.org. Thus it did give the impression they'd done due diligence in answering my query, and gotten to the truth of the matter. So I'm not very optimistic about this.

I agree that it is still possible that it will be the same 3G we've come to know and love, but I won't be ordering a Touch until we know for sure.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by Heart_Mom

I'm considering buying the Kindle Keyboard for e-reading, but also for having free access to the web when I'm out. If the Kindle Touch will give me that access, it obviously makes sense to wait for it.

Does anyone know for sure if the Kindle Keyboard will continue to be available after the Kindle Touch is available, and also if the Kindle Keyboard will continue to have free 3G browsing if I wait to buy it until early December?

I think my first choice is to not buy anything until we know for sure what free 3G browsing capacity the Kindle Touch 3g has. But I don't want to miss out on getting a Kindle that will have free 3G browsing.

Nothing's for sure, but from Kindle Keyboard 3G's product page it appears that you'll still be able to use 3G with its web browser. I don't think anyone knows if that model will continue to be offered longer term or if they're selling off remaining stock.

I have the K3 model that has 3G+wifi, which appears to be the same as the Kindle Keyboard 3G. For quite a few months, I've had a very minor screen defect (it looks like a tiny dab of ink, and it hasn't changed at all). Although I can read around it, it is a bit distracting at times. I've put off requesting warranty replacement because I wanted to see what the new Kindles offered. I've been thinking that I may ask Amazon if they'd swap my keyboard model for the new Kindle Touch 3G, perhaps for a small fee. But if the Touch 3G doesn't include 3G web browsing, I'm not sure I'd want that model.

Anyway, I'd like to know all the details too! Maybe it doesn't matter too much for my situation, as I suppose they'll just send me a refurbished keyboard device anyway, but if they do plan to stop offering the Kindle Keyboard 3G, I'd like to know. My Kindle warranty expires in mid-November (right before the Kindle Touches start shipping). I hope that we have some answers before then!

[Heart_Mom]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

Nothing's for sure, but from Kindle Keyboard 3G's product page it appears that you'll still be able to use 3G with its web browser. I don't think anyone knows if that model will continue to be offered longer term or if they're selling off remaining stock.

I have the K3 model that has 3G+wifi, which appears to be the same as the Kindle Keyboard 3G. For quite a few months, I've had a very minor screen defect (it looks like a tiny dab of ink, and it hasn't changed at all). Although I can read around it, it is a bit distracting at times. I've put off requesting warranty replacement because I wanted to see what the new Kindles offered. I've been thinking that I may ask Amazon if they'd swap my keyboard model for the new Kindle Touch 3G, perhaps for a small fee. But if the Touch 3G doesn't include 3G web browsing, I'm not sure I'd want that model.

Anyway, I'd like to know all the details too! Maybe it doesn't matter too much for my situation, as I suppose they'll just send me a refurbished keyboard device anyway, but if they do plan to stop offering the Kindle Keyboard 3G, I'd like to know. My Kindle warranty expires in mid-November (right before the Kindle Touches start shipping). I hope that we have some answers before then!

Thanks so much for this info! I might wait a few weeks and order a Kindle Keyboard. That way I'll still be within the 30 day return window when the Kindle Touch is available...

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by Heart_Mom

Thanks so much for this info! I might wait a few weeks and order a Kindle Keyboard. That way I'll still be within the 30 day return window when the Kindle Touch is available...

For what it's worth, I am very happy with my K3 with 3G (which is the same as the Kindle Keyboard 3G). I haven't really evaluated the new Kindle Touch 3G's features in-depth yet, but as far as I know the only big changes are the touchscreen (and lack of side page-turn buttons), the x-ray feature, and that (most likely) it will not support 3G web browsing as the previous 3G models have. The Touch 3G is a bit smaller and lighter weight, and it holds 500 less books than the Keyboard 3G (3,000 vs. 3,500—either way, that's a lot of books!). They both have 6" e-ink screens and battery life is the same.

I guess it comes down to which features matter most to you. While the touchscreen is very intriguing, I actually like having the page-turn buttons so I might miss that.

I think your plan is very wise. Whichever model you end up with, Amazon does have a very generous return policy, so if it doesn't meet your needs you can always change your mind.

P.S. Welcome to MobileRead!

[Heart_Mom]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

For what it's worth, I am very happy with my K3 with 3G (which is the same as the Kindle Keyboard 3G). I haven't really evaluated the new Kindle Touch 3G's features in-depth yet, but as far as I know the only big changes are the touchscreen (and lack of side page-turn buttons), the x-ray feature, and that (most likely) it will not support 3G web browsing as the previous 3G models have. The Touch 3G is a bit smaller and lighter weight, and it holds 500 less books than the Keyboard 3G (3,000 vs. 3,500—either way, that's a lot of books!). They both have 6" e-ink screens and battery life is the same.

I guess it comes down to which features matter most to you. While the touchscreen is very intriguing, I actually like having the page-turn buttons so I might miss that.

I think your plan is very wise. Whichever model you end up with, Amazon does have a very generous return policy, so if it doesn't meet your needs you can always change your mind.

P.S. Welcome to MobileRead!

Thanks for the welcome!!!

It's good to know that you really like the K3 that you have!

I was all set to order the Kindle Keyboard 3G, but I decided to email Amazon's customer service to see if they could enlighten me. Here is the response I got:

"Hello,

Thanks for contacting us with your question about Kindle Touch 3G.

Below is the answer for your 2 questions:

1. Yes, definitely Kindle Keyboard with 3G continue to be available through the end of this year. If the stock ends as this product is selling out very quickly, we will provide more stock.

2. Yes, new Kindle Touch 3G will be able to browse the web using the free 3G service.

If you need any further required information, please let us know.

Thanks for your interest in our newly launched Kindle models."

Hmmmmm.....

[Ron.]

almost sounds like the keyboard model is set to be discontinued at the end of the year from that response..

[pjtjm]

It's official --

Here is the response on the thread on the Amazon board:

The Amazon Kindle team says:
**Amazon Official**

We apologize for the confusion. Our new Kindle Touch 3G enables you to connect to the Kindle Store, download books and periodicals, and access Wikipedia - all over 3G or Wi-Fi. Experimental web browsing (outside of Wikipedia) on Kindle Touch 3G is only available over Wi-Fi.

Our Kindle Keyboard 3G will continue to offer experimental web browsing over 3G or Wi-Fi.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by pjtjm

It's official --

Here is the response on the thread on the Amazon board:

The Amazon Kindle team says:
**Amazon Official**

We apologize for the confusion. Our new Kindle Touch 3G enables you to connect to the Kindle Store, download books and periodicals, and access Wikipedia - all over 3G or Wi-Fi. Experimental web browsing (outside of Wikipedia) on Kindle Touch 3G is only available over Wi-Fi.

Our Kindle Keyboard 3G will continue to offer experimental web browsing over 3G or Wi-Fi.

Here's the link to that statement made by The Amazon Team at Amazon's Kindle Forum.

Heart_Mom, I believe that CS representative gave you erroneous information that "Kindle Touch 3G will be able to browse the web using the free 3G service." I still would trust the information as provided on the product page for Kindle Touch 3G over anything from customer service.

[geoffwood]

$50 seems like a heck of a premium for really limited 3G functionality. I guess I'll cancel my order and just hang on to my K3 3G. The ability to send an email home from the UK in an emergency is worth more than the Touch Interface and X-Ray.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by geoffwood

$50 seems like a heck of a premium for really limited 3G functionality. I guess I'll cancel my order and just hang on to my K3 3G. The ability to send an email home from the UK in an emergency is worth more than the Touch Interface and X-Ray.

Can't you send an emergency message via Wikipedia?: www.wikipedia.org/en/Help_I_Have_An_Emergency etc.

There may be some people for whom more ubiquitous access to Kindle Store is worth $50, but that seems like something Amazon should pay ME for...

Sad to see the end of free 3G as we have known it. Maybe at some point they could negotiate a super low 3G rate ($3/mo?) to restore general access (it is not like you can VOIP or stream video), but at this point one has to assume that's never going to happen.

Time to consider a Mi-fi to feed my growing entourage of wifi mobile devices...

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by geoffwood

$50 seems like a heck of a premium for really limited 3G functionality. I guess I'll cancel my order and just hang on to my K3 3G. The ability to send an email home from the UK in an emergency is worth more than the Touch Interface and X-Ray.

I agree, keep your K3.

Originally Posted by tomsem

There may be some people for whom more ubiquitous access to Kindle Store is worth $50, but that seems like something Amazon should pay ME for...

Agreed I don't see the Touch 3G being as popular as the K3 with 3G.

[seajewel]

Originally Posted by geoffwood

$50 seems like a heck of a premium for really limited 3G functionality. I guess I'll cancel my order and just hang on to my K3 3G. The ability to send an email home from the UK in an emergency is worth more than the Touch Interface and X-Ray.

Agreed. I'm canceling my order for the Touch 3G. If I get a kindle it'll be wifi only. But I think I may stick with an ePub reader now since that's my library.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by tomsem

Can't you send an emergency message via Wikipedia?: www.wikipedia.org/en/Help_I_Have_An_Emergency etc. ;

No such page.

[paperdust]

I am about to purchase a Kindle Keyboard Free 3G (Global edition). What is the likelihood of Amazon severing this free 3G service in the future? Or limiting free 3G usage to Amazon.com and Wikipedia.com? Thanks.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by paperdust

I am about to purchase a Kindle Keyboard Free 3G (Global edition). What is the likelihood of Amazon severing this free 3G service in the future? Or limiting free 3G usage to Amazon.com and Wikipedia.com? Thanks.

Amazon have always been quite open about the fact that the free web browsing is an "experimental" service and liable to be withdrawn at any time. All that's guaranteed is access to the Amazon bookstore.

Short answer: nobody knows