3G / 4G and Wi-Fi Support?

[Richwood]

Any E-readers on the USA MARKET other than some Kindle models that support 3G/4G phone communications as well as wi-fi? I do not see any models from Kobo or Nook that do. Those three e-ink makers seem to make up about 98% or more of the North American market. Most of the others I see noted here on MobileRead seem to be primarily European distribution, frequently in limited countries apparently. No one seems to be able to truly compete against the Amazon colossus in the countries they choose to enter.

[barryem]

I'm not aware of any readers other than Kindle that support 3G. I'm always reading reviews of ereaders and that's not a feature I've encountered in anything but Kindles.

I buy my Kindles with 3G because I like to be able to access Wikipedia to look things up as I read, although in recent years I've been reading on my phone more than on my Kindles when I'm away from home so I've been thinking maybe my next one should be Wifi. And yet, I'm 77 with a few health issues and if I end up in a nursing home in a few years and they don't have Wifi I'll be really glad to have that 3G. Not that there's any reason to think that's going to happen, but I like to plan ahead.

My guess is my next one will be 3G but maybe not. I haven't really decided yet.

Barry

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Richwood

Any E-readers on the USA MARKET other than some Kindle models that support 3G/4G phone communications as well as wi-fi? ...

I don't think so. I think – probably – the next best solution is using the Hot Spot feature of your smartphone (if you've got one and plan that will allow it).

[Richwood]

The Sony PRS-950 had both but seeing as Sony support has ended I am not sure how useful it is seeing as how Sony never released Kobo store supporting firmware for the 950.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Richwood

The Sony PRS-950 had both but seeing as Sony support has ended I am not sure how useful it is seeing as how Sony never released Kobo store supporting firmware for the 950.

I guess you still use the WiFi feature for web browsing? (I think I read that the 3G feature was only good for the Sony store.)

[rkomar]

Cell radios are a pain for manufacturers in many ways. Not only getting them past government regulations, but then you have to deal with the phone companies. Amazon failed at the latter in Canada (where the phone companies may be unsurpassed in the world for greed and arrogance). Ereader manufacturers quickly gave up on it because it was likely to be stymied somewhere, so a big gamble for little return.

[Hemmi]

3G on the Sony reader doesn't work at all. It only went to the Sony store and, since that's closed, it goes nowhere. I've tried it.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by rkomar

Cell radios are a pain for manufacturers in many ways. Not only getting them past government regulations, but then you have to deal with the phone companies. Amazon failed at the latter in Canada (where the phone companies may be unsurpassed in the world for greed and arrogance). Ereader manufacturers quickly gave up on it because it was likely to be stymied somewhere, so a big gamble for little return.

Arrogance, maybe. Greed? Not sure if there is any phone company anywhere that isn't tied for the lead in the category.

[GlenBarrington]

Originally Posted by rkomar

Cell radios are a pain for manufacturers in many ways. Not only getting them past government regulations, but then you have to deal with the phone companies. Amazon failed at the latter in Canada (where the phone companies may be unsurpassed in the world for greed and arrogance). Ereader manufacturers quickly gave up on it because it was likely to be stymied somewhere, so a big gamble for little return.

Greed and arrogance seems to be a common character of phone companies globally. Here in the USA, I note that Comcast has decided to get into the wireless market. It's gonna be a very good fit.