What are the limits of this "free unlimited 3g browsing"??

[grndslm]

I keep seeing some users refer to this, but I don't know the extents to which they mean "free" and "unlimited", or even if they're referring to actual "browsing" as opposed to being restricted to Amazon-approved services.

I spoke with some people who have the Nook, and they assure me that Amazon would not be giving away free & unlimited 3g browsing.

So, I'm wondering what the official word is on the limits of 3g browsing. I've seen the official Amazon terms, which state:

You *may* be charged a fee for wireless connectivity for your use of other wireless services on your Device, such as Web browsing and downloading of personal files, should you elect to use those services. We will maintain a list of current fees for such services in the Kindle Store.

That doesn't mean that they *will* charge for wireless connectivity in the browser, nor that they have the capability to charge a Kindle customer, who has paid for their device with cash.

Also... do users of the Kindle 2 (U.S. version; CDMA; Sprint) & Kindle 2 (International version) experience the same results in terms of "free unlimited 3g browsing"??

Much thanks in advance!!

[Anarel]

The limitedness to the browser is that - for obvious, e-ink reasons- only text-based sites are accessible on it. There's no flash, basic java. But other than that, there are no limits; websites will load and leave what it can't handle blank, and all mobile versions of websites work wonderfully on the Kindle.

Using the web browser is absolutely free, you are not charged anything for using it. The place where people usually get confused is with Amazon's document conversion service. There are two ways to convert a document to kindle format using Amazon- you can send them the file and they'll email it directly to your kindle (which will cost about 10 cents or more depending on the file size) or they'll convert the document and email it to your email address. From there you would move the Document to your Kindle yourself, via USB, at no charge, of course.

I belive when Amazon wrote, "
You *may* be charged a fee for wireless connectivity for your use of other wireless services on your Device, such as Web browsing and downloading of personal files, should you elect to use those services. We will maintain a list of current fees for such services in the Kindle Store. " That they were just leaving a venue open in the future were it ever the case that they would need to begin charging people for the use of the web browser.

Right now, as it has been since (at least) the Kindle 2's advent, the 3g Web Browser is free and (unlimited).

Hope this helped!

[whitearrow]

The limits are, in all seriousness, that browsing on the Kindle really isn't very good. The web and e-ink devices is just a match made in hell.

Some mobile sites work ok. But you really aren't going to want to use it much. Any internet-enabled phone is likely better.

I love my Kindle, but it's a book reader.

[grndslm]

Thanks a lot, guys!!

Originally Posted by whitearrow

The limits are, in all seriousness, that browsing on the Kindle really isn't very good. The web and e-ink devices is just a match made in hell.

Some mobile sites work ok. But you really aren't going to want to use it much. Any internet-enabled phone is likely better.

I love my Kindle, but it's a book reader.

Understood... but I'm just trying to get the pros/cons of each device down, specifically the Kindle -vs- Nook... and this is a VERY nice plus for the Kindle. Not to mention the pdf zoom & folder organization features that should be released in the next few weeks...

So, I take it that there is no difference between the U.S. & International Kindles, as far as "free unlimited 3g" browsing goes? Clearly, the U.S. version uses Sprint, and I can only assume that the International version uses AT&T. Any differences as far as the 3g data goes on these two, different versions?

Any other differences between the U.S. & International versions??

[dmaul1114]

Yeah, the limits are that it sucks.

E-ink is too slow, lacks color. The processor is slow, pages load slow, the screen ratio is terrible for the internet (don't think you can browse in landscape mode--at least not on th K1, maybe K2 and DX are different) etc.

You can look up something on wikipedia, maybe check g-mail etc. but that's about it.

The only real use of it is the Kindle store and getting books wirelessly. And I still do all my book buying on a computer, so the only real benefit is the automated download vs. having to plug into the computer.

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by grndslm

Any other differences between the U.S. & International versions??

Pretty sure the international/global version is the only one the sell now.

[Anarel]

Originally Posted by grndslm

Thanks a lot, guys!!

So, I take it that there is no difference between the U.S. & International Kindles, as far as "free unlimited 3g" browsing goes? Clearly, the U.S. version uses Sprint, and I can only assume that the International version uses AT&T. Any differences as far as the 3g data goes on these two, different versions?

Any other differences between the U.S. & International versions??

Uhh, depending on the country, you won't be able to use the web browser there. You'll still have wikipedia access, but perhaps not the web browser- it depends on the country.

Bezos has said however, that they're working towards getting the web browser available in all countries.

[TallMomof2]

At least with my Kindle I don't have to purchase a data plan as I would with a smartphone. Web browsing is painful, reminds me of dial-up, and you're limited to static sites but it works. Last summer I stayed at a hotel that had the worst wifi I've ever seen. My Kindle was much faster and allowed me to access my web mail and a few sites that I needed.

I've had a Kindle since the second day the first version of the Kindle was sold (overnight shipping) and I've never been charged for web browsing.

[grndslm]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Yeah, the limits are that it sucks.

E-ink is too slow, lacks color. The processor is slow, pages load slow, the screen ratio is terrible for the internet (don't think you can browse in landscape mode--at least not on th K1, maybe K2 and DX are different) etc.

Is this true with the K2 & DX??

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

You can look up something on wikipedia, maybe check g-mail etc. but that's about it.

Right... even just being able to check g-mail from anywhere in the country -- or anywhere in the world, even (potentially) -- is pretty frickin' nice to ignore. I'm not sure why the Nook is getting so much attention right now versus 3g everywhere.

This is definitely a tie-breaker for me after seeing all the other pros/cons.

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Pretty sure the international/global version is the only one the sell now.

Correct, but I'm sure that eBay is still shipping all flavors.

In fact, I prefer to buy used if possible. But just depends, really.

So, any real reason to get the U.S. version over the International version if I'm not a worldwide traveler?? ... or vice-versa?

Has anybody actually done any speed tests of the wireless between the two? I'm sure that the screen will come into play more than the cellular radios... but ya never know.

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

At least with my Kindle I don't have to purchase a data plan as I would with a smartphone. Web browsing is painful, reminds me of dial-up, and you're limited to static sites but it works. Last summer I stayed at a hotel that had the worst wifi I've ever seen. My Kindle was much faster and allowed me to access my web mail and a few sites that I needed.

Exactly my point.

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

I've had a Kindle since the second day the first version of the Kindle was sold (overnight shipping) and I've never been charged for web browsing.

Very nice!! I was thinking about waiting for the Kindle 3... but I'm not so sure there's any real benefit once the Kindle 2 gets better pdf & folders support.

[smargo]

If the browser is capable to display a page, it will diplay it, not only wikipedia or amazon, everything in Latin codepage is fine.

[vermontcathy]

Originally Posted by grndslm

Is this true with the K2 & DX??

...

So, any real reason to get the U.S. version over the International version if I'm not a worldwide traveler?? ... or vice-versa?

I don't have my K2 with me, but since you can put it in landscape mode (as of an update a few months ago) for reading, and all the menus and home screen are in landscape, I don't see why you couldn't browse in landscape.

The only reason to get the US version over International is if you feel you'll have better Sprint coverage than AT&T. But it's hard to tell until you have one. I'm somewhat rural, and the coverage maps showed no Sprint (or partner) coverage at my house, and low bandwidth (not 3G) nearby and in the town I work in. Turns out, I get 3G in both places (US/Sprint version).

[robb01]

not much concerned, browsing on a kindle just doesnt do much for me

[lene1949]

I love browsing the books on Amazon... and I think that's what it was developed for.

[dreamsgate]

Yes you can browse in landscape mode, depending on the site, that can be a real plus.

It is somewhat slow but it definitely works, in fact my teen daughter uses hers constantly online. Among other things she uses it to keep in touch with her friends.

Only real draw back I see, (considering that browsing is free, so no data plan fees and you can use it to text to others), is that the battery drains faster while online.

[Snorkledorf]

I actually prefer browsing in landscape orientation, as some pages appreciate the extra horizontal elbow room. Like a previous poster said, though, it's very much a "dialup experience" both in data rate and in the time it takes to parse complex pages.

That said, it's a great feature to have in a pinch!