Kindle3G vs Kindle Fire

jak3 said:
Ive got the kindle wifi and don't miss the 3g, in fact i would consider it a potential liability because you can get charged when pushing stuff to it.
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Just to correct a misconception here: you cannot get charged for anything accessed on a Kindle via 3G, as it is FREE FOR LIFE.... All 3G access (web browsing etc.) is free indefinitely anywhere that Amazon has a deal (usually through Vodafone or AT&T), which includes on SA's Vodacom network. The only limitations are that you can't access video or streaming audio, or do any actual downloads. For many Kindle enthusiasts, free lifetime 3G is the deal-clincher on buying the 3G model.
 
Palimino said:
Jak3
The Kindle3G includes the wifi. The 3G is just my gesture towards ‘futureproofing’. 3G might be pathetic in SA but, presumably, that will change.
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Here's what happens in practice. You will try use the built in kindle store on the kindle, but you will find it a slightly awkward experience so you will walk over to you computer, fire up a full color, full size browser and buy your book using the full amazon.com experience. Once you click buy, you will wait 5 minutes and magically your book will appear on your kindle without plugging it in. This will be done via wifi automatically over your house network because you will find leaving the 3g on the whole time just uses up battery. The only time you might use 3g is if you want to buy a book away from the house, but then how often will you have your kindle with you when out. Also, the kindle browser is a shocking experience which you will soon avoid once the novelty runs out.

It can be a nice add on if you don't have internet at home, or you travel a lot, but other than that i don't think the 3G will ever get turned on.

It comes down to your needs, it might be useful for you. Do you think you will buy a lot of books when in the car or away from home?
 
My 2c: I've bought many a books last minute in the airport using my 3G Kindle 2 - the 3G really makes it worth it. Sure, if you're at home and you want to buy a book, Wifi is perfectly fine. I find the 3G very useful when travelling, though!

Remember, in the US - for which the Kindle was designed originally - you're covered with Wifi hotspots. In SA - not so much. 3G really is more of a requirement if you want to stay connected on the go (and thus buy books on the go).

Our 3G is also pretty good compared to the US (I was there for 3 weeks a couple of weeks ago - out of big cities there's little coverage, and even in the cities one tends to get EDGE only on some places. This was on AT&T). The only place where we lose out is price - but ours are getting better and theirs are getting worse (used to be uncapped, now mostly capped, pre-paid 3G is useless).

EDIT: I also only buy from my Kindle and I usually switch 3G off while reading - only when I want to buy something.
 
Terencek said:
Just to correct a misconception here: you cannot get charged for anything accessed on a Kindle via 3G, as it is FREE FOR LIFE.... All 3G access (web browsing etc.) is free indefinitely anywhere that Amazon has a deal (usually through Vodafone or AT&T), which includes on SA's Vodacom network. The only limitations are that you can't access video or streaming audio, or do any actual downloads. For many Kindle enthusiasts, free lifetime 3G is the deal-clincher on buying the 3G model.
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They charge you roughly R2 a MB over 3g for anything you send to your kindle via its email address (so instapaper pushes for instance). It depends on what you do. Its not a big liability, just pointing out it can be a slight annoyance if you didn't know you would be charged.
 
cerebus said:
What specs? You're just making random claims...
Kindle 3g: 800x600px @167ppi
Kindle Fire: 1024x600@ (I think) 169ppi
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You are right (incidentally, both your links source the 3G – but I concede the point). I don’t make random claims and I definitely saw this. I remember thinking that at least it wasn’t VGA. Embarrassingly, I can’t find it.

Doesn’t make any difference anyway, I still choose the 3G over the Fire. The resolution is good enough for me.
 
Palimino said:
You are right (incidentally, both your links source the 3G – but I concede the point). I don’t make random claims and I definitely saw this. I remember thinking that at least it wasn’t VGA. Embarrassingly, I can’t find it.
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Sheesh, Amazon will shoot themselves in the foot if they release a tablet with 800x600 - most new phones these days have higher resolution screens!
 
Palimino said:
You are right (incidentally, both your links source the 3G – but I concede the point). I don’t make random claims and I definitely saw this. I remember thinking that at least it wasn’t VGA. Embarrassingly, I can’t find it.

Doesn’t make any difference anyway, I still choose the 3G over the Fire. The resolution is good enough for me.
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You know I actually kind of prefer a slightly low-res look on an ereader. It gives it the appearance of real paper, sort of grainy and bleeding at the edges. Eh... there's definitely room in my pockets for both of these devices, esp when the lowest end Kindle goes for $80. It's almost impulse-purchase price, like grocery shopping and buying chocolates at the counter :D.


If you're not in a hurry, why not wait a while and see how colour E-Ink progresses? It apparently may be out by Xmas, but we should have a lot more news about it by then.
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I really doubt it will be ready by Xmas, and even if it was, Kindle won't have a hardware refresh for at LEAST another year.
 
I've got the iPad 1, SGT10.1, latest Kindle 3G with keyboard, and since yesterday the new Kindle Wi-Fi without keyboard. I read a lot. NOTHING comes near a grey-scale e-ink screen for serious reading and the new Kindle is just awesome. At R1280 all inclusive it is a steal. Small, thin and extremely light with a crisp clear screen.

So it all depends on how serious a reader you are. If you read a lot you cannot compromise with iPads and so on. I never read on my tablets unless my Kindle is unavailable. If reading is a light time killer then it is better to go for a tablet with all the bells and whistles. 3G access is not a requirement anymore as so many phones offer hotspot access these days. Wi-Fi access is easier and easier to find.

Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk
 
cerebus said:
Apart from that I actually see no reason why the two devices couldn't coexist. I could see myself carrying them together in my bag and using them at different times.
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+1
One of my colleagues is going to the US next week, and I plan to order one of each to be delivered at his hotel. I just hope that they have stock - will check before I order - as he's only there for a week.

Disclaimer: yeah, I know I'm going to struggle a bit to get content with the Amazon store not here yet. I will cross that bridge later.
 
Tacet said:
+1
One of my colleagues is going to the US next week, and I plan to order one of each to be delivered at his hotel. I just hope that they have stock - will check before I order - as he's only there for a week.

Disclaimer: yeah, I know I'm going to struggle a bit to get content with the Amazon store not here yet. I will cross that bridge later.
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You want to order a Kindle Fire? As far as I know they're only coming out in Nov...
 
ebendl said:
You want to order a Kindle Fire? As far as I know they're only coming out in Nov...
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You're right, I'll only get the Kindle now. I know someone who's going over in Nov as well, so I'll get the Fire then, depending on whether they have stock.

I didn't expect someone to go over next week, and my excitement ran away with me. :o

*Edit : seems like I didn't think this one through. The Kindle Touch only becomes available in Nov as well, so I'll wait until Nov before buying anything.
 
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