Question about Oasis 2017 cellular feature

TheSmitty · 12-19-2017, 01:47 PM

For those that have this feature I am curious how it works? Is it always "on" or do you activate it? I am curious if it contributes to battery drain just sitting there like the wifi supposedly does.

Pjama · 12-19-2017, 02:13 PM

It's on unless your kindle is in airplane mode. When you're not using airplane mode and you have no wifi reception, you will see the 3G, 4G or LTE status where the wifi is usually displayed.

And it contributes majorly to battery drain in my experience, so I leave it off unless I am downloading something.

Richwood · 12-25-2017, 03:46 PM

Remember that it is basically a cell phone communications signal so think of how long a cell phone battery lasts with the phone on versus turned off. I have some of the old 3G communcations only Kindles and there is a big difference in battery life between 3g enabled and off on those.

HLS · 12-25-2017, 04:38 PM

It stays connected to wifi unles you move out of range or use airplane mode. It does drain the battery. even on airplane mode I am charging my oasis 2 weekly if not twice a week. The battery is horrid. I do not know how amazon gets the 6 weeks on 1 charge for me and the hundreds of amazon reviews most people are complaining

TheSmitty · 12-25-2017, 05:09 PM

Thanks for all the responses. Based upon all I have seen I decided to. It get one. I have the oasis 1 and love it so it was not a slam dunk for me to move up again.

Richwood · 12-26-2017, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcladyz

It stays connected to wifi unles you move out of range or use airplane mode. It does drain the battery. even on airplane mode I am charging my oasis 2 weekly if not twice a week. The battery is horrid. I do not know how amazon gets the 6 weeks on 1 charge for me and the hundreds of amazon reviews most people are complaining

In airplane mode and with the light at minimum I am losing about 1% to 2% charge per day on my Oasis 2 32 GTB with wi-fi and 4G communications. That is with the unit in sleep mode. Comparable with my other Kindle e-readers. Bright screen illumination and communications enabled while reading eat up the power pretty quick but I typically read in airplane mode and with minimal screen illumination. Battery usage seems to vary a lot depending onn reader settings.

JSWolf · 12-26-2017, 06:46 AM

Is there really a need for the cell? How often will you be out of range of WiFi when you want/need to download an eBook from Amazon? It is going to increase the price of the Oasis and if you don't really need it,don't get it.

TheSmitty · 12-26-2017, 10:03 AM

As for need for the cell feature that really depends on how much time you spend in the presence of wifi you can access I guess. My first Kindle (3 keyboard) had the feature but back then I do not think there was wifi ability so it was important. My latest kindle (Oasis 1) does not have the cell feature but I do not really need it since I have wifi at home and work. When out in the world I typically do not have access of course but I am usually just reading.
Having said that, the cell feature would be nice in some regards because I am one of those that typically switches between reading on the kindle and listening to the audible version on my iphone and the whispersync is awesome at keeping my place as I switch between the two. So in those cases having the cell feature so that my Kindle updates where things are would be nice. Right now I have to get my Kindle into Wifi coverage so that it all stays in sync unless I want to do it all manually.

Writing all that made me wonder if the the Oasis 2 keeps things in sync between audible (using Audible on the device) and kindle without the need of wifi or cell since both are on the same hardware?

DuckieTigger · 12-26-2017, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSmitty

Writing all that made me wonder if the the Oasis 2 keeps things in sync between audible (using Audible on the device) and kindle without the need of wifi or cell since both are on the same hardware?

Yes. Switching from reading to listening does not require wifi or cell connection.

binaryhermit · 12-26-2017, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSmitty

As for need for the cell feature that really depends on how much time you spend in the presence of wifi you can access I guess. My first Kindle (3 keyboard) had the feature but back then I do not think there was wifi ability so it was important.

The 3rd gen kindle (so-called Kindle Keyboard) was the first Kindle to have wifi, according to wikipedia.

And on an unrelated note, my Kindle Paperwhite 3 has wifi only, I tether it to my phone (EDITED to add: via my phone's wifi hotspot) as needed.

JSWolf · 12-27-2017, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by binaryhermit

The 3rd gen kindle (so-called Kindle Keyboard) was the first Kindle to have wifi, according to wikipedia.

And on an unrelated note, my Kindle Paperwhite 3 has wifi only, I tether it to my phone (EDITED to add: via my phone's wifi hotspot) as needed.

That's a very good point. Being able to tether to your cell phone mean why pay the extra for cell when it's not needed? I see no need for cell on a Kindle that has WiFi.

DuckieTigger · 12-27-2017, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That's a very good point. Being able to tether to your cell phone mean why pay the extra for cell when it's not needed? I see no need for cell on a Kindle that has WiFi.

You don't see no need for a Kindle, period. Why should your opinion matter when it comes to cell features.

JSWolf · 12-27-2017, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

You don't see no need for a Kindle, period. Why should your opinion matter when it comes to cell features.

And why would anyone think your opinion matters when you are being rude?

DuckieTigger · 12-27-2017, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And why would anyone think your opinion matters when you are being rude?

I am just returning the favor. Maybe layoff with your Kindle hate where ever you post and you would be a much nicer person. I do not seriously consider a Kobo in my future, but that does not mean I have the right to bash them. The screen size of the KA1 is very interesting, and so is probably the options for displaying books. The deeper I research the more I realise that every ereader has its own unique features and problems.

ProDigit · 12-27-2017, 08:49 PM

Just like with Android 4 vs Android 2, they should enable wireless connection by push; meaning, as long as no app requires data, leave it off.
Android 2.3 had horrible battery life, when the GPS was enabled.
In Android 4 and later, you can leave the GPS enabled, and it won't change battery life, unless an app uses the GPS data (If you load Google maps, for instance).

When the GPS signal was off, you could load Google maps, without background battery drain.

I think in a similar way, wifi and cellular network only need to access when you're on a browser, or downloading a book.

12-19-2017, 01:47 PM	#1
TheSmitty Addict Posts: 224 Karma: 1181422 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: DFW, TX area Device: Paperwhite SE, Libra 2, Oasis 3, Boox Note Air 3C, iPad Pro 11	Question about Oasis 2017 cellular feature For those that have this feature I am curious how it works? Is it always "on" or do you activate it? I am curious if it contributes to battery drain just sitting there like the wifi supposedly does.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Quick Audible Oasis 2017 Question.	Ranny	Amazon Kindle	4	12-18-2017 03:18 PM
Oasis 2 (2017) suggested upgrades	enro99	Amazon Kindle	5	11-30-2017 04:31 PM
New Kindle Oasis 2017 on release day..	Arjun1985	Amazon Kindle	93	11-13-2017 03:12 PM
2017 Oasis page numbers?	disconnected	Amazon Kindle	4	11-04-2017 03:08 PM

12-19-2017, 02:13 PM	#2
Pjama Guru Posts: 667 Karma: 2345678 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: USA Device: ✍️🏝️♎️ Kobo Clara 2E	It's on unless your kindle is in airplane mode. When you're not using airplane mode and you have no wifi reception, you will see the 3G, 4G or LTE status where the wifi is usually displayed. And it contributes majorly to battery drain in my experience, so I leave it off unless I am downloading something.

12-25-2017, 03:46 PM	#3
Richwood Astronomy Nut Posts: 519 Karma: 3700000 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Reno, NV Device: Kindle (All), Kobo (Multiple), Sony (most) and Nook Glowlight Plus	Remember that it is basically a cell phone communications signal so think of how long a cell phone battery lasts with the phone on versus turned off. I have some of the old 3G communcations only Kindles and there is a big difference in battery life between 3g enabled and off on those.

12-25-2017, 04:38 PM	#4
HLS Wizard Posts: 2,028 Karma: 15107670 Join Date: May 2017 Device: Sage, Scribe, Boox Note 2 Plus, iPad Pros and Samsungs S6,S7,S8	It stays connected to wifi unles you move out of range or use airplane mode. It does drain the battery. even on airplane mode I am charging my oasis 2 weekly if not twice a week. The battery is horrid. I do not know how amazon gets the 6 weeks on 1 charge for me and the hundreds of amazon reviews most people are complaining

12-25-2017, 05:09 PM	#5
TheSmitty Addict Posts: 224 Karma: 1181422 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: DFW, TX area Device: Paperwhite SE, Libra 2, Oasis 3, Boox Note Air 3C, iPad Pro 11	Thanks for all the responses. Based upon all I have seen I decided to. It get one. I have the oasis 1 and love it so it was not a slam dunk for me to move up again.

12-26-2017, 06:46 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,983 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Is there really a need for the cell? How often will you be out of range of WiFi when you want/need to download an eBook from Amazon? It is going to increase the price of the Oasis and if you don't really need it,don't get it.

12-26-2017, 10:03 AM	#8
TheSmitty Addict Posts: 224 Karma: 1181422 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: DFW, TX area Device: Paperwhite SE, Libra 2, Oasis 3, Boox Note Air 3C, iPad Pro 11	As for need for the cell feature that really depends on how much time you spend in the presence of wifi you can access I guess. My first Kindle (3 keyboard) had the feature but back then I do not think there was wifi ability so it was important. My latest kindle (Oasis 1) does not have the cell feature but I do not really need it since I have wifi at home and work. When out in the world I typically do not have access of course but I am usually just reading. Having said that, the cell feature would be nice in some regards because I am one of those that typically switches between reading on the kindle and listening to the audible version on my iphone and the whispersync is awesome at keeping my place as I switch between the two. So in those cases having the cell feature so that my Kindle updates where things are would be nice. Right now I have to get my Kindle into Wifi coverage so that it all stays in sync unless I want to do it all manually. Writing all that made me wonder if the the Oasis 2 keeps things in sync between audible (using Audible on the device) and kindle without the need of wifi or cell since both are on the same hardware?

12-27-2017, 08:49 PM	#15
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	Just like with Android 4 vs Android 2, they should enable wireless connection by push; meaning, as long as no app requires data, leave it off. Android 2.3 had horrible battery life, when the GPS was enabled. In Android 4 and later, you can leave the GPS enabled, and it won't change battery life, unless an app uses the GPS data (If you load Google maps, for instance). When the GPS signal was off, you could load Google maps, without background battery drain. I think in a similar way, wifi and cellular network only need to access when you're on a browser, or downloading a book.

Advert

Advert