Why 3-G? - Page 2

Lady Fitzgerald · 07-30-2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

ummmm... unless I've seriously missed something, nothing has been said about payments for wi-fi on this. it's set up to connect into wi-fi hot spots

It's not payments for WiFi hot spots that is the issue (though some do charge). It's paying extra for a reader with that capability.

Skydog · 07-30-2010, 07:21 PM

Don't forget there are still some people that need simple. They do not care to know anything about WiFi or how to use it. Hard to believe - but true.

I actually know a few of those people.

carld · 07-30-2010, 07:23 PM

My phone has wifi and I almost never use it. Very few places I go to have wifi that you can connect too. I find 3G to be extremely convenient and wouldn't want to give it up.

Maggie Leung · 07-30-2010, 07:35 PM

The value of any product or service will depend on the buyer. If 3G is something you'll use, it's worthwhile. I think TV is waste of my time, for instance, so I don't subscribe to cable. Doesn't mean I expect everyone else to ditch cable. For me, 3G is a must, as cable probably is for many people.

iphitus · 07-30-2010, 08:56 PM

I find my K2i 3G is convenient. Being able to email documents to my device is very useful.

Zorz · 07-31-2010, 01:38 AM

Well 20% of American homes have no home Computer, so it would be important to those people, as well as those who have no Internet.

HarryT · 07-31-2010, 03:59 AM

For me personally, 3G is vital. I've come to regard the "internet available anywhere" aspect of my iPhone and iPad as their most useful features. For the benefit they bring me, I find the costs of the data plan to be negligible. My iPhone and iPad are on different carriers (iPhone on Vodafone, iPad on O2) for "resilience".

jj2me · 07-31-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

For me personally, 3G is vital. I've come to regard the "internet available anywhere" aspect of my iPhone and iPad as their most useful features. For the benefit they bring me, I find the costs of the data plan to be negligible. My iPhone and iPad are on different carriers (iPhone on Vodafone, iPad on O2) for "resilience".

Agreed, becoming vital to more and more people each day.

And for those don't have and don't want a $30/mo. dataplan (and have decent AT&T coverage), they might marvel at the Kindle's $50 lifetime (we hope) internet anywhere, even if it only works well on mobile sites (with the option for painful full non-mobile browsing).

Vacationing, staying over at friends', using public transportation, sitting on the beach, at a game, etc., where you just want to do a bit of internet. E.g., after dinner out, you decide on a movie, you grab your Kindle and check local listings, then call up directions to that theater. Etc.

The only lifetime cellular device I know of for comprison, the lifetime Peek e-mail device costs $300 (POP e-mail and a flavor of texting, no web browsing).

ski_power · 08-01-2010, 06:05 AM

Wikipedia ANYWHERE in the world... definitely want. Its pretty easy to imagine situations where you'd want to wiki but 'it's just not a place I'd lug my netbook around' kinda place.

The kindle has me almost sold out. I'm waiting for the K3 to launch and then I'd get one...definitely.

GeoffC · 08-01-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skydog

Don't forget there are still some people that need simple. They do not care to know anything about WiFi or how to use it. Hard to believe - but true.

I actually know a few of those people.

I like simple ....

=X= · 08-01-2010, 01:38 PM

@Sydney's Mom -- If you haven't made much use of the 3G on your K2 as of yet then maybe you're better off getting the WIFI model.

I went 2yrs on my 505 w/o using 3G, my process was very similar to yours, with no complaints. Of course that was the only way to upload books on the SONY.

When I upgraded to a K2, I continued to download books in the same manner, it took me 3 mo before I changed my process.

I've setup calibre to be a web server and now I (kovid has made this process trivial) download my books from my Kindle over 3G. I really like this way of downloading books since know I don't have to clutter my Kindle with books. I just visit my calibre web site and download my books.
I also read some mobile sites on the Kindle (not too often)

WIKI is fantastic! I read a lot of tecnical/financial books and having google and WIKI is awesome.

Last point, kindle ONLY syncs with purchased books from Amazon. I'm still reading a lot of books I purchased back with FW blowout sale this cristmass.

stargazertony · 08-01-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj2me

...they might marvel at the Kindle's $50 lifetime (we hope) internet anywhere...

I don't think that Amazon ever said that this connection is going to be a lifetime connection. Someday this is going to be turned off or only available for some sort of fee. Think this is going to be sooner rather than later because Amazon could chop a whole lot of cost off their product by stopping free Whispernet.

mike_bike_kite · 08-02-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargazertony

I don't think that Amazon ever said that this connection is going to be a lifetime connection. Someday this is going to be turned off or only available for some sort of fee. Think this is going to be sooner rather than later because Amazon could chop a whole lot of cost off their product by stopping free Whispernet.

Amazon is starting to sell more ebooks than pbooks. This is because Kindle users can simply click on a book to purchase it - the book then magically appears on their Kindle. This means that 3G aids them to sell more ebooks and that's why it's provided free. I can't see them turning this cash cow off.

HamsterRage · 08-03-2010, 09:09 PM

I can see using 3G to download daily newspapers.

switchman2210 · 08-03-2010, 09:25 PM

I can see them turning off 3G for random web browsing, at some point, but not for access to their store. I also do not see them turning of 3G for any newspaper/magazine that you buy from them. I do see them charging third parties a small fee. For example you subscribe to magazine X via a third party. They charge the 3rd party a small fee to allow the magazine to travel over the 3G connection. The 3rd party then bundles thei fee into your over all price.

07-30-2010, 07:21 PM	#17
Skydog Wizard Posts: 2,244 Karma: 7400001 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Circling Earth @ Mach .83 Device: Elipsa 2E, Sage, Forma, Libra 2, Clara 2E, Kindle Oasis3, Voyage	Don't forget there are still some people that need *simple*. They do not care to know anything about WiFi or how to use it. Hard to believe - but true. I actually know a few of those people.

07-30-2010, 07:23 PM	#18
carld Wizard Posts: 2,698 Karma: 4748723 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	My phone has wifi and I almost never use it. Very few places I go to have wifi that you can connect too. I find 3G to be extremely convenient and wouldn't want to give it up.

07-30-2010, 07:35 PM	#19
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	The value of any product or service will depend on the buyer. If 3G is something you'll use, it's worthwhile. I think TV is waste of my time, for instance, so I don't subscribe to cable. Doesn't mean I expect everyone else to ditch cable. For me, 3G is a must, as cable probably is for many people.

07-30-2010, 08:56 PM	#20
iphitus Member Posts: 17 Karma: 372 Join Date: May 2010 Device: K2i	I find my K2i 3G is convenient. Being able to email documents to my device is very useful.

07-31-2010, 01:38 AM	#21
Zorz Zealot Posts: 134 Karma: 36 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: Kindle 2i	Well 20% of American homes have no home Computer, so it would be important to those people, as well as those who have no Internet.

07-31-2010, 03:59 AM	#22
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	For me personally, 3G is vital. I've come to regard the "internet available anywhere" aspect of my iPhone and iPad as their most useful features. For the benefit they bring me, I find the costs of the data plan to be negligible. My iPhone and iPad are on different carriers (iPhone on Vodafone, iPad on O2) for "resilience".

08-01-2010, 06:05 AM	#24
ski_power Book eater Posts: 181 Karma: 2068 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kindle 3 G 3G (<-lol)	Wikipedia ANYWHERE in the world... definitely want. Its pretty easy to imagine situations where you'd want to wiki but 'it's just not a place I'd lug my netbook around' kinda place. The kindle has me almost sold out. I'm waiting for the K3 to launch and then I'd get one...definitely.

08-01-2010, 01:38 PM	#26
=X= Wizard Posts: 3,671 Karma: 12205348 Join Date: Mar 2008 Device: Galaxy S, Nook w/CM7	@Sydney's Mom -- If you haven't made much use of the 3G on your K2 as of yet then maybe you're better off getting the WIFI model. I went 2yrs on my 505 w/o using 3G, my process was very similar to yours, with no complaints. Of course that was the only way to upload books on the SONY. When I upgraded to a K2, I continued to download books in the same manner, it took me 3 mo before I changed my process. I've setup calibre to be a web server and now I (kovid has made this process trivial) download my books from my Kindle over 3G. I really like this way of downloading books since know I don't have to clutter my Kindle with books. I just visit my calibre web site and download my books. I also read some mobile sites on the Kindle (not too often) WIKI is fantastic! I read a lot of tecnical/financial books and having google and WIKI is awesome. Last point, kindle ONLY syncs with purchased books from Amazon. I'm still reading a lot of books I purchased back with FW blowout sale this cristmass.

08-03-2010, 09:09 PM	#29
HamsterRage Evangelist Posts: 435 Karma: 24326 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kobo	I can see using 3G to download daily newspapers.

08-03-2010, 09:25 PM	#30
switchman2210 Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 416 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Black PRS-650 with lighted cover & Kindle DX.	I can see them turning off 3G for random web browsing, at some point, but not for access to their store. I also do not see them turning of 3G for any newspaper/magazine that you buy from them. I do see them charging third parties a small fee. For example you subscribe to magazine X via a third party. They charge the 3rd party a small fee to allow the magazine to travel over the 3G connection. The 3rd party then bundles thei fee into your over all price.

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