Is Wifi a deal-breaker for you?

[Poppaea]

Originally Posted by tompe

It is not a solution. Somebody asked how to do a specific task. It was not a suggested solution to buy another reader.

And my point is also that you actually do not know what you want unless you test things. People have a natural tendency to be conservative and stay with what they know.

Sorry, but we all have experience with downloading via wifi. This is what my netbook does when ever I download a book. There is absolutly no difference in the downloading process when done with a reading device.

As I am no criminal on the run who needs to have the latest bestseller delivered before being caught, I can wait the few moments until I am next to my netbook again to upload my reader. A reader, mind you that carrys 400 unread books all the time, takes 1,200 books and has an SD slot ready to read 32 GB SDcards.

It is not being conservative out of ignorance it is being perfectly happy without something I have absolutly no need for.

[Piper_]

Don't forget that you can email books to a Kindle, so you don't even have to use a web server to get them wirelessly.

I enjoy the wireless, particularly when family members need a book, from here or Amazon; I'm very glad all I have to do is email it to them.

Plus, wireless synchronization of Kindle books between all K/K4 devices is something my sister depends on, as with sharing snippets and reading now facebook stuff my son also enjoys.

So for managing multiple devices, it's so much more convenient, I'd consider it almost a deal-breaker, in that I haven't seen a feature that would make it worth giving up the convenience of wireless to get.

But is wireless a dealbreaker for me, alone? Not as much as Text to Speech or the store itself, but it's close if I'm going to be away from my laptop.

Bottom line, I enjoy my Sony, and it doesn't bother me to transfer my books onto it via cable, but that's partly because I have the wireless abilities of the Kindle when I need them.

[Worldwalker]

Originally Posted by voracious71

I have a Sony too, BTW. It's a nice little device, especially as a supplement to my other ones. My Kindle still kicks it's butt though and it doesn't need a touchscreen(fingerprint magnet) to do it. It's faster, its store is better and its customer service is much better. But hey, the Sony has a shiny, pretty metal case.

I don't want a touch screen (Cheeto magnet).

I can only turn pages so fast. My Sony turns them fast enough.

I don't buy from the vendor's store, so I don't care whose is better.

I've never needed customer service, so I don't care about that either.

And the shiny metal case is very sturdy and feels good in the hand.

I wasn't even going to bring up the case issue, because we're talking about features, but that was one of the deciding factors for me. The Kindle felt like a cheap plastic toy in my hand; the Sony felt like a book. I went with the Sony. Besides, I didn't want to waste space on a tiny keyboard any more than I wanted to waste battery life on WiFi/3G access.

[laughingdragons]

I'm on my second sony pocket reader. I had the 300 and upgraded to the 350.

So no wifi is not a deal breaker. I just prefer the sony readers.

[Piper_]

The Sony does feel more solid, and to me, aesthetically, it's a work of art. As a device, it's simply beautiful to look at. I don't like the Kindle at all without a cover.

We haven't had a problem with smudges on the Sony screen. It's not like the shiny touchscreen of our cellphones. Our only problem with the touchscreen is that it's not as predictable as the keyboard.

Battery-wise, I'd rather have wireless than touch, because you can turn wireless on/off.

Leading back to the topic... I only enable wireless for a few minutes every few days, when I want to download a book from Amazon or email, look up details about the book, or - my favorite - to do a wikipedia search of some battle, place, or person referred to in a book.

That "go to wikipedia" function is an almost invaluable feature to me, second only to TTS as something I miss when reading on the Sony.

[WT Sharpe]

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[djgreedo]

I've read most of this thread and seen no mention of Whispersync. That is the killer feature of wireless connectivity for me. I can read on my phone if my Kindle isn't handy, and next time I go back to the Kindle my page is synced. It's convenient, seamless, and something that paper books can't provide!

Also, I am sick of having cables and wires everywhere, so being able to transfer books and things automatically over wireless is a big plus. I use Instapaper, and that sends my articles over wifi every few days without any need for me to plug my Kindle in. I only plug the Kindle in for a charge once a fortnight or so or before travelling. If I want to send a document from Calibre I can just email it with one button click and it will appear on my Kindle even if my Kindle is still in my bag or in another room. I now have a phone, MP3 player and ebook reader that I never have to plug into my computer due to wireless syncing capabilities. It saves me so much needless fiddling with cables.

Being able to either buy a book or download a sample on the go is also convenient. If someone tells me about a book I can just open the Kindle and get the sample sent without having to remember to look up the book later, or I can go to Amazon.com and click send from my computer without plugging the Kindle in.

The cons of wireless are valid, but in my opinion overstated:
1) Power usage: you can turn wireless off and still have access if you need it
2) Amazon deleting books: paranoia. I have no issue with them withdrawing a book that was sold illegally, though they handled it wrongly in the one instance it happened.
3) Price: it's great that people have a choice to buy a cheaper model, but for me I'd gladly pay a bit more for a useful feature. Ebook readers are getting cheaper and cheaper, and I don't think price will be an issue going forward.

It just comes down to personal preference. I like my gadgets to be simple, and wireless connectivity makes my life easier.

[sammsmom]

I had a Sony 505 and loved it until I got my Kindle with the wifi. I don't know if I could go without it now or not. Love being able to download on the go, not that I didn't have a ton of books saved on the 505 but just the thought of seeing a book that I want and being able to get it within minutes instead of having to come home get to the computer, find the book, download it, and then connect device to computer to actually put the book on it. I guess it just saves me time in the long run. but then again that's just my 2 cents.

[Latinandgreek]

wi-fi and 3g are not deal breakers for me, but they would be nice extras in a device. As it stands, other features are currently more important to me.

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by djgreedo

I've read most of this thread and seen no mention of Whispersync. That is the killer feature of wireless connectivity for me. I can read on my phone if my Kindle isn't handy, and next time I go back to the Kindle my page is synced. It's convenient, seamless, and something that paper books can't provide!

Yes, that would be a nice feature, actually. Otherwise, I like my readers "off-grid"


signed,
semi-Luddite

[ofey]

I'm on the other wing here.

For me Amazon's free 3G was the deal clincher.

I would much prefer reading off a Nook Color but the free 3G clinched it. Nothing beats being able to go online and look up opinions or information as you read. I don't just read novels but texts and tech documents, so there are times when I don't understand things. I can't get wifi in the park and 3G makes my life so much easier.

[AlexSno]

Of course.
Living in a country that still tries to implement internet and some services are still expensive Wi-Fi is a must have for my every gadget.

[astra]

Originally Posted by voracious71

Secondly, I can read library books on my Kindle. Anybody can, just takes a little tweaking. Thanks to the retired Apprentice Alf, it is literally a matter of a couple of drag and drop maneuvers. Takes under 5 minutes.

So, you do need a computer. You cannot do all of that via Wi-Fi.

Easier, in fact, it is much easier to connect Sony Reader to my PC and sideload the book.

Originally Posted by voracious71

Um, no, I wasn't the first one to start name dropping. That happened back on page 3 or 4. But, I guess I hit a nerve though huh?

Well, when I use the state of the art touch screen and being called semi-luddite by someone who uses old fashioned keyboard that looks like a calculator from 1960x is arrogant and insulting in my book.

Originally Posted by tompe

All people have access to Dropbox for example so all people have access to a web server

I don't have Dropbox. Don't need one.



I have about 100 books on my Sony Reader.
I have a carefully planned TBR list. I never choose to read a book without a prior research. It can be done comfortably only in my comfy comp. chair with 20" IPS screen with a cup of tea or a glass of whisky and a nice music on the background. There is no rush, no impulse purchases.
So, why would I need a Wi-Fi or 3G on my ebook reader? I use my ebook reader for reading books (I guess it is logical). For surfing the Internet I want to use a PC or a laptop. Though even 10.1" screen of my netbook is nuisance. It is too small (I don't need glasses), just too small in comparison to a big wide computer screen or at the very least 14" laptop screen.

So far:
I never buy on impulse. I spend time on research by reading book forums.
I have enough books on my Sony Reader to last me for the next 5 years even if all PCs disappear today
I don't like to do anything on the Internet on gadgets with small screens and small keyboards.

Why do I need Wi-Fi or 3G then on my ebook reader?


All that said by a person who is using Wi-Fi from 2004 at home. Using Linksys wireless router where I can change settings to my liking, do port forwarding, subnetting, NAT and other staff without wireless router's s/w deciding what is better for me

[elcreative]

It is a weird day, first agreeing with everything in a Windwalker post and now the same for astra... you tell 'em...

Originally Posted by astra

So, you do need a computer. You cannot do all of that via Wi-Fi.

Easier, in fact, it is much easier to connect Sony Reader to my PC and sideload the book.

Well, when I use the state of the art touch screen and being called semi-luddite by someone who uses old fashioned keyboard that looks like a calculator from 1960x is arrogant and insulting in my book.

I don't have Dropbox. Don't need one.



I have about 100 books on my Sony Reader.
I have a carefully planned TBR list. I never choose to read a book without a prior research. It can be done comfortably only in my comfy comp. chair with 20" IPS screen with a cup of tea or a glass of whisky and a nice music on the background. There is no rush, no impulse purchases.
So, why would I need a Wi-Fi or 3G on my ebook reader? I use my ebook reader for reading books (I guess it is logical). For surfing the Internet I want to use a PC or a laptop. Though even 10.1" screen of my netbook is nuisance. It is too small (I don't need glasses), just too small in comparison to a big wide computer screen or at the very least 14" laptop screen.

So far:
I never buy on impulse. I spend time on research by reading book forums.
I have enough books on my Sony Reader to last me for the next 5 years even if all PCs disappear today
I don't like to do anything on the Internet on gadgets with small screens and small keyboards.

Why do I need Wi-Fi or 3G then on my ebook reader?


All that said by a person who is using Wi-Fi from 2004 at home. Using Linksys wireless router where I can change settings to my liking, do port forwarding, subnetting, NAT and other staff without wireless router's s/w deciding what is better for me

[astra]

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

I wasn't even going to bring up the case issue, because we're talking about features, but that was one of the deciding factors for me. The Kindle felt like a cheap plastic toy in my hand; the Sony felt like a book.

Funny.
It was my impression of K3 too.
When I visited my friend last Christmas they showed me their K3 with Wi-Fi & 3G. I could not believe my eyes and especially hands. It

felt like a cheap plastic toy in my hand

and the keyboard!
I never mentioned how much I disliked it on the forum. At the end of the day it is my personal opinion and many people like Kindle. However, even though I expected it to be different), I was surprised by its quality.