No one cares about the cellular thing?

Tracy D. · 11-30-2021, 05:25 PM

I visit mobileread in streaks… Tend to do it when I am contemplating a purchase or have just made one.

I have had multiple Kindles since my first purchase in 2011. I used to jailbreak, but then got frustrated because I’m not geeky enough to reap the benefits without suffering from the liabilities.

ANYWAY. Background so you know where I’m coming from. I just purchased a PW4 - refurbed - when it became clear that Amazon was not going to offer cellular access on the new models. I currently have both a Voyage and an older Paperwhite, and the idea of losing cellular access in the near future really bothered me. I love the streamlined nature of it, and I don’t keep my phone’s personal hotspot active all the time in order to connect to that via Wi-Fi. Apparently I’m just hopelessly lazy.

I expected to see a lot more about the cellular issue on Mobileread - but it doesn’t appear that many are bothered by it. Is that because most of you jailbreak and sideload, etc? Do I need to just get over this? 🙂

Uncle Robin · 11-30-2021, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracy D.

I expected to see a lot more about the cellular issue on Mobileread - but it doesn’t appear that many are bothered by it. Is that because most of you jailbreak and sideload, etc? Do I need to just get over this? 🙂

Even without jailbreaking (not possible on most recent firmware iirc) and/or sideloading, perhaps it's not much of an issue to many because they choose to load their Kindles at home, or via some other Wifi source, minimizing any need for cellular access? Even an 8GB Kindle can carry so many books it seems very likely that most would be able to have something to read between Wifi access points without needing the cellular feature.

rcentros · 11-30-2021, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracy D.

I expected to see a lot more about the cellular issue on Mobileread - but it doesn’t appear that many are bothered by it. Is that because most of you jailbreak and sideload, etc? Do I need to just get over this? 🙂

The only time I would have used the cellular connection was about two years ago when I realized I forgot to download a book I wanted to read on the plane on my Kindle while at the airport. Fortunately I realized I could just turn on the hot spot on my phone and connect the Kindle to that. Since that point I've just considered the cellular feature on a Kindle redundant. I also figure that these Kindles will eventually be obsolete when 3G is no longer supported. I still have a Kindle Touch with 3G cellular, but I don't I've ever used it. (Maybe once to test it.) That said, I don't travel much, so I'm guessing that would be a big part of it.

Sirtel · 11-30-2021, 06:05 PM

I've never had or used a cellular Kindle. At first it was easy enough to use the hotspot on my phone, then I moved to exclusive sideloading and didn't even use wifi much anymore. And these days I mostly use my Kobos (also sideloading). The only Kindle I still have is the Oasis 3 (wifi only). I'm not interested in the newest Paperwhites, because I need page-turn buttons and the newest Kobos have better and larger screens.

tomsem · 11-30-2021, 07:45 PM

I think Amazon will not be producing any more Kindles with cellular access. As has been pointed out, most people carry around a perfectly capable reading devices (smartphone), which reduces demand to also carry around a Kindle that needs cellular connectivity (or if they do, the smartphone can bestow that).

We’ve also witnessed how suddenly Kindles with ‘free cellular for the lifetime of the device’ can effectively lose cellular access as wireless standards advance. I think the Oasis 1 no longer can get a cellular connection in most places in the US, for example.

That said, if the price is right for you, why not? I wouldn’t pay $50 more for it, but for $20, sure.

WestCactus · 11-30-2021, 08:08 PM

I bought them with cellular as I traveled lots and thought the value was worth it and with the no ads. It has come in handy but I can live without it till I don’t have it! Then I’ll wish it was back.

lee.hauser · 11-30-2021, 09:03 PM

I was sad to see cellular access go. I read on my Kindle, my iPhone and my iPad, and being able to sync between at least two of those devices anytime, anywhere was a major feature for me. There's no wifi on the bus, in the car or at the beach. I'll learn to live without it, I suppose, but I don't have to like it.

sqdancer · 11-30-2021, 09:48 PM

They dropped the only reason I would have chosen a Kindle for my dad. If he's going to have to go down to the coffee shop or library to download his books anyway, I'll just get him a Kobo so he can at least have Overdrive access.

Canis_lupus · 12-01-2021, 12:09 AM

I would like to see the cellular option continue to be available for the people that would like it or need it.

When I got my first Kindle I used cellular as a test to see if it could download books in a different part of town than where I lived. I also tested my phone’s hotspot when I got that feature but every other book I have put on my Kindles at home.

Recently I did think about buying the cellular Paperwhite 4 or Oasis 3 but have never needed it.

Josieb1 · 12-01-2021, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tracy D.

I visit mobileread in streaks… Tend to do it when I am contemplating a purchase or have just made one.

I have had multiple Kindles since my first purchase in 2011. I used to jailbreak, but then got frustrated because I’m not geeky enough to reap the benefits without suffering from the liabilities.

ANYWAY. Background so you know where I’m coming from. I just purchased a PW4 - refurbed - when it became clear that Amazon was not going to offer cellular access on the new models. I currently have both a Voyage and an older Paperwhite, and the idea of losing cellular access in the near future really bothered me. I love the streamlined nature of it, and I don’t keep my phone’s personal hotspot active all the time in order to connect to that via Wi-Fi. Apparently I’m just hopelessly lazy.

I expected to see a lot more about the cellular issue on Mobileread - but it doesn’t appear that many are bothered by it. Is that because most of you jailbreak and sideload, etc? Do I need to just get over this? 🙂

I don’t jailbreak my kindles. The cellular issue doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve had it on previous kindles, and still do on my Voyage, but I just don’t use it.

DuskyRose · 12-01-2021, 10:11 AM

I've had a few different eink devices, and have had several kindles and the kindle apps on various tablets. I've never had a cellular eink device, and purposely chose them without.

I've found Bluetooth or just plugging the device into my desktop fine for loading books. And I and keep the devices full, so don't need to connect while on the go. I've never missed it.

I think they probably should keep the cellular option, but it may not be practical or profitable for them to keep selling them. Their agreement with the cellular services may have changed drastically from when they were first introduced.

Paperbackstash · 12-01-2021, 10:34 AM

I never got a kindle with it as I didn't need it.

graycyn · 12-01-2021, 08:08 PM

I just never saw myself as the sort who had to have any particular book RIGHT NOW. So I have never owned an e-reader with cellular data. Even before I had WiFi at home and was still on dial-up, I simply would hit the library or a coffee shop and download what I needed.

These days, if I had to, I'd create a hotspot from my smartphone. No need thus far. And so many folks have smartphones, it won't surprise me a bit if Amazon phases out the cellular models. There's probably less demand for them now. Not no demand, I have a friend who ALWAYS buys the cellular option, but enough less that it isn't worth offering them?

Or, if they are planning another Oasis model, perhaps they will reserve cellular access for "top of the line."

Uncle Robin · 12-01-2021, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graycyn

perhaps they will reserve cellular access for "top of the line."

The cellular option seems like extra expense, weight and complication for Amazon at very little return. Adding another communication protocol , one that as 3G has shown will become obsolete before the reader does, for a small and (likely) shrinking set of users seems like a suboptimal decision. So your "top of the line" suggestion might work: "We really don't want to be bothered, but if you're prepared to pay us a stupid premium for the privilege, here it is"

mjfriedman · 12-01-2021, 09:48 PM

I always paid for the cellular option. New books anywhere appealed to me. But cell phone/hotspot really does make it superfluous...

11-30-2021, 05:25 PM	#1
Tracy D. N00b. Dumb but fearless. Posts: 13 Karma: 38508 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: K4, Touch, PW	No one cares about the cellular thing? I visit mobileread in streaks… Tend to do it when I am contemplating a purchase or have just made one. I have had multiple Kindles since my first purchase in 2011. I used to jailbreak, but then got frustrated because I’m not geeky enough to reap the benefits without suffering from the liabilities. ANYWAY. Background so you know where I’m coming from. I just purchased a PW4 - refurbed - when it became clear that Amazon was not going to offer cellular access on the new models. I currently have both a Voyage and an older Paperwhite, and the idea of losing cellular access in the near future really bothered me. I love the streamlined nature of it, and I don’t keep my phone’s personal hotspot active all the time in order to connect to that via Wi-Fi. Apparently I’m just hopelessly lazy. I expected to see a lot more about the cellular issue on Mobileread - but it doesn’t appear that many are bothered by it. Is that because most of you jailbreak and sideload, etc? Do I need to just get over this? 🙂

11-30-2021, 07:45 PM	#5
tomsem Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,901 Karma: 27013865 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Device: iPhone 15PM, Kindle Scribe, iPad mini 6, PocketBook InkPad Color 3	I think Amazon will not be producing any more Kindles with cellular access. As has been pointed out, most people carry around a perfectly capable reading devices (smartphone), which reduces demand to also carry around a Kindle that needs cellular connectivity (or if they do, the smartphone can bestow that). We’ve also witnessed how suddenly Kindles with ‘free cellular for the lifetime of the device’ can effectively lose cellular access as wireless standards advance. I think the Oasis 1 no longer can get a cellular connection in most places in the US, for example. That said, if the price is right for you, why not? I wouldn’t pay $50 more for it, but for $20, sure. Last edited by tomsem; 11-30-2021 at 07:50 PM.

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11-30-2021, 06:05 PM	#4
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,173 Karma: 237634549 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	I've never had or used a cellular Kindle. At first it was easy enough to use the hotspot on my phone, then I moved to exclusive sideloading and didn't even use wifi much anymore. And these days I mostly use my Kobos (also sideloading). The only Kindle I still have is the Oasis 3 (wifi only). I'm not interested in the newest Paperwhites, because I need page-turn buttons and the newest Kobos have better and larger screens.

11-30-2021, 08:08 PM	#6
WestCactus Zealot Posts: 125 Karma: 3142072 Join Date: Nov 2015 Device: Kindle PW, Oasis 1 & 3, Fire 8	I bought them with cellular as I traveled lots and thought the value was worth it and with the no ads. It has come in handy but I can live without it till I don’t have it! Then I’ll wish it was back.

11-30-2021, 09:03 PM	#7
lee.hauser Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Seattle area Device: Kobo Libra 2	I was sad to see cellular access go. I read on my Kindle, my iPhone and my iPad, and being able to sync between at least two of those devices anytime, anywhere was a major feature for me. There's no wifi on the bus, in the car or at the beach. I'll learn to live without it, I suppose, but I don't have to like it.

11-30-2021, 09:48 PM	#8
sqdancer Guru Posts: 635 Karma: 891247 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Device: Sony T2 T3, Kobo Glo H2O GloHD Clara Libra2, Kindle NT PW4, PB Verse	They dropped the only reason I would have chosen a Kindle for my dad. If he's going to have to go down to the coffee shop or library to download his books anyway, I'll just get him a Kobo so he can at least have Overdrive access.

12-01-2021, 12:09 AM	#9
Canis_lupus Enthusiast Posts: 42 Karma: 21212 Join Date: Sep 2021 Device: K2, K3, Touch, K5B, Voyage, PW4, Oasis 1, 2 & 3, PW5	I would like to see the cellular option continue to be available for the people that would like it or need it. When I got my first Kindle I used cellular as a test to see if it could download books in a different part of town than where I lived. I also tested my phone’s hotspot when I got that feature but every other book I have put on my Kindles at home. Recently I did think about buying the cellular Paperwhite 4 or Oasis 3 but have never needed it.

12-01-2021, 10:11 AM	#11
DuskyRose Guru Posts: 752 Karma: 9209502 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Device: Boox Note Air3, Palma, K-Scribe, Eclipsa 2e, & Libra 2, Ipads	I've had a few different eink devices, and have had several kindles and the kindle apps on various tablets. I've never had a cellular eink device, and purposely chose them without. I've found Bluetooth or just plugging the device into my desktop fine for loading books. And I and keep the devices full, so don't need to connect while on the go. I've never missed it. I think they probably should keep the cellular option, but it may not be practical or profitable for them to keep selling them. Their agreement with the cellular services may have changed drastically from when they were first introduced.

12-01-2021, 10:34 AM	#12
Paperbackstash Wizard Posts: 1,653 Karma: 20102554 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Central Florida Device: Oasis 3, PW 3 & 5, Fire HD 8 & 10	I never got a kindle with it as I didn't need it.

12-01-2021, 08:08 PM	#13
graycyn Wizard Posts: 1,581 Karma: 11380098 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NE Oregon Device: Kobo Sage, Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma, Kindle Oasis 2	I just never saw myself as the sort who had to have any particular book RIGHT NOW. So I have never owned an e-reader with cellular data. Even before I had WiFi at home and was still on dial-up, I simply would hit the library or a coffee shop and download what I needed. These days, if I had to, I'd create a hotspot from my smartphone. No need thus far. And so many folks have smartphones, it won't surprise me a bit if Amazon phases out the cellular models. There's probably less demand for them now. Not no demand, I have a friend who ALWAYS buys the cellular option, but enough less that it isn't worth offering them? Or, if they are planning another Oasis model, perhaps they will reserve cellular access for "top of the line."

12-01-2021, 09:48 PM	#15
mjfriedman Connoisseur Posts: 74 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle Oasis	I always paid for the cellular option. New books anywhere appealed to me. But cell phone/hotspot really does make it superfluous...

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