View Full Version : Kindle Questions
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/ref=nav_swm_kndl_201202?pf_rd_p=1350444442&pf_rd_s=nav-sitewide-msg&pf_rd_t=4201&pf_rd_i=navbar-4201&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0E1QY6GQJCWF0FGBNJ76 and can't figure it out from the advertising hype.
TIA.
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
3-15-12, 7:44pm
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
3-15-12, 8:26pm
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.
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).
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.
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!
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/B0051VVOB2/ref=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.
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.
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/B005890G8O/ref=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.
Would this be it or very much like it?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005890G8O/ref=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.
Yes, if it says 3G, you can download anywhere there's a signal. That's what I have. I did buy my husband one, without the 3G, because he doesn't travel as much as I do, and we have wireless in the house.
It is so great to be on planes as much as I am, where I freak out if I don't have enough reading material, and I can make a quick decision on a book to buy for the flight and download it before the flight attendant says, "The cabin door is closed, please shut off anything with an on-off switch."
I agree with spending the extra few bucks to go ad-free, if you can.
I have the kindle fire, and it just about replaces my laptop. The only thing I am going to use the laptop for in the near future is to file my taxes.
There is no camera, though, so I am not quite sure how you want to use the pictures feature. You can certainly use a cable to move documents, pictures and videos from a pc to the device. Also, you can email them and save to the kindle. One at a time seems to be easier to get in email format - but that's just me. If you want to do it in bulk, definitely the cable is the way to go.
I do my downloads through a wifi, but have loaded some books through cable. You would be amazed at the number of free books out there. My biggest concern was that I would pay $200 for a device that then made me want to spend $10 per book to read them. Not so - I've yet to purchase a book, and have about 100 loaded up.
loosechickens
3-20-12, 3:29pm
I'm sorry, Jemima.....I forgot to come back and look at this thread for a bit.....the one we have isn't the "Touch", it's this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HZYA6E/ref=famstripe_kk3g
and we paid $189 with no advertising or advertising screensavers.......(our screensaver pics are all of Audubon birds or famous authors, etc.)
we love our Kindles.....love 'em, love 'em, love 'em.........and I especially like the 3G capability which means that pretty much anywhere there is a cell phone signal, you can download books, etc......(my sweetie has now learned the dangers of overstaying in Home Depot while the wife is waiting in the car, listening to NPR interview an author about a new book, only to come out of the store and find such spouse immersed in her new book, thanks to that nice 3G capability, hahahaha)
I was holding out for something like the new Samsung Galaxy Note:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Unlocked-Android-Smartphone/dp/B0061YRDX6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332276586&sr=8-1
Unfortunately, I can't begin to justify buying one, so I guess I'll stick to reading Kindle PC downloads along with my trusty library books. I love all the new technology, even when I'm only enjoying it vicariously.
I do my downloads through a wifi, but have loaded some books through cable. You would be amazed at the number of free books out there. My biggest concern was that I would pay $200 for a device that then made me want to spend $10 per book to read them. Not so - I've yet to purchase a book, and have about 100 loaded up.
If you have time, how about some tips on where to find free books? I know I get a free book each month with Prime and can borrow from the Amazon library, although I'm not sure if the number of books is lmited. There are also free downloads from the county library (as soon as I can get there and renew my card anyway). Anything else?
(
I'm sorry, Jemima.....I forgot to come back and look at this thread for a bit.....the one we have isn't the "Touch", it's this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HZYA6E/ref=famstripe_kk3g
and we paid $189 with no advertising or advertising screensavers.......(our screensaver pics are all of Audubon birds or famous authors, etc.)
we love our Kindles.....love 'em, love 'em, love 'em.........and I especially like the 3G capability which means that pretty much anywhere there is a cell phone signal, you can download books, etc......(my sweetie has now learned the dangers of overstaying in Home Depot while the wife is waiting in the car, listening to NPR interview an author about a new book, only to come out of the store and find such spouse immersed in her new book, thanks to that nice 3G capability, hahahaha)
Thanks, L.C. If I'm not mistaken, I think our Kindles are identical except for the keyboard. I ended up buying the Kindle Touch 3G and it was also $189 ($40 extra for no advertising). I just couldn't stand waiting any longer and bought one the same day I posted. :|(
@Jane: I have a crush on the Galaxy note too. I would buy one in a heartbeat if it came in a wi-fi version. I'm too cheap to pay for a monthly data or cell phone plan.
If the inexpensive e-readers with wi-fi can do everything a more expensive tablet can why wouldn't people buy the e-readers instead? I looked at the one of Galaxy ones (had wi-fi and a camera) for around $500 where as a similair e-reader (Kindle I think) was less than $200 - some less than $100 that had wi-fi but no camera. I'm sooo confused :-) My laptop is dying and I'm travelling so need something small and with a long battery life but have no idea which oof the many things would be best for me. Guess I could start cheap and work my way upwards as needed.
If the inexpensive e-readers with wi-fi can do everything a more expensive tablet can why wouldn't people buy the e-readers instead? I looked at the one of Galaxy ones (had wi-fi and a camera) for around $500 where as a similair e-reader (Kindle I think) was less than $200 - some less than $100 that had wi-fi but no camera. I'm sooo confused :-) My laptop is dying and I'm travelling so need something small and with a long battery life but have no idea which oof the many things would be best for me. Guess I could start cheap and work my way upwards as needed.
To the best of my knowledge, the Kindle Fire is the only model with web access. To date it doesn't come with 3G, which is what I would really like along with a "no ads" option. If you're going to be traveling though, most hotels have Wi-fi so that might be the place to start. This is the model I mean: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2/ref=famstripe_kf and Imerullo, above, posted some positive comments about it.
I think Amazon offers a 30 day trial on just about everything, so you could try it out and return it if it doesn't suit you.
To the best of my knowledge, the Kindle Fire is the only model with web access. To date it doesn't come with 3G, which is what I would really like along with a "no ads" option. If you're going to be traveling though, most hotels have Wi-fi so that might be the place to start. This is the model I mean: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2/ref=famstripe_kf and Imerullo, above, posted some positive comments about it.
I think Amazon offers a 30 day trial on just about everything, so you could try it out and return it if it doesn't suit you.
There are a few e-readers with wi-fi and some with 4G: The Nook, Kindle, Sungale, and some more I can't recall. Don't really know the difference between them but some were less than $100 (Nook with 3G). I haven't really looked at the e-readers yet, just the more expensive tablets but will check out the e-readers. I really don't know the difference between them and the tablets though as they all seem to do the same thing.
If the inexpensive e-readers with wi-fi can do everything a more expensive tablet can why wouldn't people buy the e-readers instead? I looked at the one of Galaxy ones (had wi-fi and a camera) for around $500 where as a similair e-reader (Kindle I think) was less than $200 - some less than $100 that had wi-fi but no camera. I'm sooo confused :-) My laptop is dying and I'm travelling so need something small and with a long battery life but have no idea which oof the many things would be best for me. Guess I could start cheap and work my way upwards as needed.
I like the phone/camera/e-reader/web access/GPS combo the Note provides--with a screen big enough to read but small enough to fit in a pocket.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.