Kindle Questions

[Jemima]

I'm really tempted to get one of these, especially now that I signed up for Amazon Prime and can get all sorts of free Kindle books. Not to mentioned that I'm running out of bookcase space.

What stops me dead is the "wireless" part. Do I have to go to a Wi-fi hot spot or buy a wireless router to download for the Kindle? I'm looking at one of the newest ones http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051QVESA/...GQJCWF0FGBNJ76 and can't figure it out from the advertising hype.

TIA.

[Alan]

In the absence of a personal or public wi-fi source, you could download a book to your pc, then transfer to the Kindle via it's USB port. Just connect your Kindle to your computer using the USB cable and drag the file to the “documents” folder on your Kindle using your computer’s file browser.

[Mrs. Hermit]

My Kindle Keyboard uses whispernet (a Kindle technology) to get the books downloaded. But I can't browse for books or search the internet without it being on a WIFI network-like my home wireless system.

[loosechickens]

The Kindle model we both have is the one that costs $189 and operates on both wireless AND a regular cell phone signal. I think those are still available and might be a better choice. I have downloaded lots of stuff onto mine far from any wireless signal. All I have to have is cell phone coverage. I don't think I would want one that was wireless only. I am just too many places away from a wireless signal to want that.

[Spartana]

Can you use a kindle to do regular web surfing - like say look at this site and post? Can you upload photos and e-mail them like you can with a tablet? I looked at one today and they are several $100 cheaper then even a low priced tablet computer ($199 for the Kindle at Target, and several other less expensive E-readers that have wi-fi too) and wondered if that would be something I could use to replace the big laptop - especially to use when travelling - for web surfing and e-mailing (about all I do with the laptop).

[Alan]

Yes, you can surf the web with the Kindle's web browser. Using this, you can also send and receive e-mail using web based mail servers such as GMail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc. Not sure about sending attachments though. I would think so, but can't say for certain.

[Jemima]

In the absence of a personal or public wi-fi source, you could download a book to your pc, then transfer to the Kindle via it's USB port. Just connect your Kindle to your computer using the USB cable and drag the file to the “documents” folder on your Kindle using your computer’s file browser.

Wow, I didn't know that could be done. Thanks, alan!

[Jemima]

Can you use a kindle to do regular web surfing - like say look at this site and post? Can you upload photos and e-mail them like you can with a tablet? I looked at one today and they are several $100 cheaper then even a low priced tablet computer ($199 for the Kindle at Target, and several other less expensive E-readers that have wi-fi too) and wondered if that would be something I could use to replace the big laptop - especially to use when travelling - for web surfing and e-mailing (about all I do with the laptop).

Here's one I was looking at that offers web browsing, TV, and movies: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...f=famstripe_kf It doesn't, however, seem to have the capabilities that L.C. mentions above. That would be the Touch 3G, which is the one I'll likely get.

[Jemima]

My Kindle Keyboard uses whispernet (a Kindle technology) to get the books downloaded. But I can't browse for books or search the internet without it being on a WIFI network-like my home wireless system.

Good to know. Thank you.

[Jemima]

The Kindle model we both have is the one that costs $189 and operates on both wireless AND a regular cell phone signal. I think those are still available and might be a better choice. I have downloaded lots of stuff onto mine far from any wireless signal. All I have to have is cell phone coverage. I don't think I would want one that was wireless only. I am just too many places away from a wireless signal to want that.

Would this be it or very much like it?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...famstripe_kt3g

Interesting that the one without advertising is $40 more than the one with "special offers". Ugh. It's worth the forty bucks to be ad-free.