phil20986 wrote:Is there any way to make a 3G kindle a hotspot in a crunch? I get that the browser is 'experimental' and not fantastic for everyday internet surfing, but it would be a nice incentive.

I have done a little research this morning, and the consensus is 'maybe'.

At first glance, you'd think:

Kindle = Linux + WiFi + Free3G

therefor:

Linux + WiFi + Free3G + Hacks = Free 3G hotspot!

But its not that simple. Amazon is apparently one step ahead of the hackers, and has the free 3G access essentially locked down, so that it is very limited in its usefulness.

Besides, it would be a clear violation of the ToS you agree to when you register your kindle.

That said, it can be (and has been) done. Google is your friend if you want to learn more. You risk having your device de-registered by Amazon leaving you with a brick, data rate charges added to your account, Amazon employed thugs roughing up your poodle, etc.

I'm gonna pass on this one, just because I have an Entourage Edge and don't need another e-ink reader. I would have bought it if I could have turned it into reliable, free 3G for my other devices.

db

Does anyone who has this Kindle use the speak out loud function to read? I'd like to know if it reads a page and then seamlessly moves on to the next page or do you have to push a button to get to the next page. And if you have to push a button, do you then have to push another button to make it continue reading? I'm considering this for my blind daughter who will be doing all her reading with the speach function. Thanks.

we own one but will not buy another one until they allow the library to use e system. they are the only e book provider to not participate in this important local service.

bulldog950 wrote:we own one but will not buy another one until they allow the library to use e system. they are the only e book provider to not participate in this important local service.

It is coming.

I've been wanting a Kindle for a long time for myself and the hubs to share. He prints tons of pdfs for work. Maybe we'll save a few trees.
I also want one for my 9 y.o. daughter for homeschooling.
I'm in for two. Woot!

Does it have Wi-Fi (in addition to 3G)?

cart6719 wrote:To me, the biggest drawback with the Kindle is that darned, awkward toggle button. I'm hoping they come up with a touch Kindle.

You can't integrate an eInk screen with resistive or capacitive sensors so a touch screen is not possible (yet?). You can, however, use stylus technology. My Entourage Edge, for example, uses Wacom hardware on the Eink screen. The great thing about using a stylus is that I can rest on hand on the screen while writing just like I would with real paper.

brendaa wrote:Does anyone who has this Kindle use the speak out loud function to read? I'd like to know if it reads a page and then seamlessly moves on to the next page or do you have to push a button to get to the next page. And if you have to push a button, do you then have to push another button to make it continue reading? I'm considering this for my blind daughter who will be doing all her reading with the speach function. Thanks.

It seamlessly goes from page to page.

Just bought two and am having them sent to my son and his fiance. They're both working hard in grad school (son just finished with his masters) and thought this would be a fun treat!!!

Has anyone ever used AIM or IM features on this?

I'd like to use the browser while I'm at the beach or outdoors, and I IM alot.

Any recommendations?

I've had all the kindle generations in my household (I currently have the 2nd generation, my wife has the 3rd with 3g) and I have bought them as gifts for family members without a moment's hesitation.

The kindle (any kindle, actually) is an amazing device for reading. This one is roughly the size of a DVD case (a little thinner) and you can carry thousands of books on it. I do like the smaller size of the new kindle and agree with others' comments above (better screen, much, much better browser, etc).

One thing that my not have been mentioned yet:

The 3g is international. I've used my kindle across Europe as a low-tech email solution and a wikipedia resource while visiting Salvador Dali's house, for example. While traveling, I could download whatever bestseller (The Girl with the____ at the airport) or free public domain classic (Don Quixote while taking the train through La Mancha, for example) or prepare a huge reading list at home. As a heavy reader, it is also infinitely convenient to have only one "book" with me on a trip, saving tons of weight and hassle. The battery will easily last a week or longer.

Highlighting and notes are also helpful, as the highlighted text is saved in a txt file (on the device) as what amazon calls a "clipping." It's great to be able to collect your own personal version of Bartlett's quotations.

I do notice that my (2nd gen) Kindle is a bit bigger than the new one, but this is only really an issue with some coat pockets. As a reader, it really can't be beat.

Remember, too, that the first gen kindle was $400 only three and a half years ago. This is a good deal.

Can someone please clarify for me... 2nd Gen has 3G but no WiFi, and 3rd Gen with special offers has WiFi but no 3G?? Does it matter that the 2nd doesn't have WiFi? Had that been an issue for anyone?

Just ordered one. After lugging 3 books in my carry-on through a major airport last year it was time to get real. That, and having to pay for a lost library book because I left it somewhere made this a smart purchase. Oh, and I am a librarian! Still use real books, but this makes more sense for travel.

KamikazeKen wrote:kindle recently announced they will be supporting epub.

The question is, since this is not the current generation, will "coming soon" features like epub and library lending be available on it? Or will that only work on current generation (so Amazon gets more upgrade sales)?

franjamin04 wrote:Can someone please clarify for me... 2nd Gen has 3G but no WiFi, and 3rd Gen with special offers has WiFi but no 3G?? Does it matter that the 2nd doesn't have WiFi? Had that been an issue for anyone?

That's correct. It really only matters when using the browser for the internet (wifi + good connection is faster than 3G). But, as many have noted, the browser isn't great to start with.

I am wandering if it supports Cyrillic font (to read Russian books)?

bradw76 wrote:The question is, since this is not the current generation, will "coming soon" features like epub and library lending be available on it? Or will that only work on current generation (so Amazon gets more upgrade sales)?

They have stated that it will also apply for this generation.

Note, though, that it may not be epub support, per se. Amazon is working with Overdrive and the exact solution hasn't been revealed.

Converting epub books with calibre is no problem, however.

Does anyone know what the batteries are like in these refurbs? Have they been replaced or will they likely be at a diminished capacity?

I have a few questions...

I am going on a backpacking trip to Europe for a couple of months and originally wasn't planning on bringing any type of computer, etc. I know that the Kindle is an e-reader, but would i be able to use it as a method of posting blogs, etc?

Also, compared with the dailysteals.com deal, am I right in assuming that the 3G coverage of this Kindle will hold over in Europe (based on the coverage map), but that I will be only be able to use the nook with a wifi (vs. 3G) while abroad?

I realize that a tablet would be a much better option, but for the price, I would love to be able to have some sort of electronic option while on my trip to a) blog a little, b) download maps/travel guides, and c) do minimal internet surfing (im not sure c is possible on either).


thanks for the help!

Will this be in a Kindle box? I want to buy one for Father's Day gift but not if it'll look like a refurb.

cart6719 wrote:to tscottme: You make me realize how much help I need to get full use of these ereader/tablet things. I only wish I knew where to get that help. I think because I'm a senior, I have a need for instructions (unknown in the computer age)...it takes me ages to learn how to use these devices without them. While pretty good on the pc, for someone without tech background, I recently got the pocket entourage edge from woot and can find very little use for it. I managed (with difficulty) to upgrade it to 2.2, but, now what. I thought it would be something on which to learn to manage this new generation of ethings...but I don't seem to have a resource to refer to for insight into the user language.
Sorry for the long diatribe, but thank you for listening. I love finding out and I love learning new things....but I fear I'm drowning.

Hate to add one more con to your day, Sir, but all those people who love their Entourage devices are going to be upset:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/entourage-shuts-down-edge-content-store-devices-reportedly-disc/

Sorry, no more Entourage!

My brand new wi-fi nook was slow to page turn since day one. About 6 months later it died. My refurb works a lot better, but I bought one of these since the epub support argument is moot thanks to calibre and that nook touchscreen is annoying. (Yes, I've donated to the author of that fine program.)

Also, it has 3G and I only ever bought two whole ebooks from bn.com. Amazon's prices on books I want are about 10-20% cheaper. So, all the more reason to get one.

voovfeegbean wrote:I would honestly spend the extra $ to get a new Kindle. Sony had an refurbished ereader on here, perhaps 9 months ago. It is now dead. It was great while it lasted and introduced us to the world of ereaders, and frankly was THE BEST IMO, but I wish I had spent that $ on a new one.

I do have a Kindle and I'm very happy with it, bought it this past Christmas.

The thing that I liked about the Sony, and something to consider, is that while holding the edges of the device to read it (!!) you weren't able to press any "page forward/page back" buttons. You had to go down where the keypad would have been to a dial to advance a page....so you could hold the darn thing by the edges! Annoying on the Kindle...they could make those back/forward keys much smaller.

For $25 more you can get a brand new Non-Refurb 3rd Gen Kindle? This will not sell out. Should have priced closer to $59.

billhill wrote:For those that keep saying this is an older model. this is the latest version of the Kindle. There are only 2 generations and this is the second gen, the latest. When you see "3G" on the amazon site it means 3G wireless service not 3rd GEN.

Drinking so early in the morning? This is the 2nd generation; I currently own the 3rd generation, one newer than on this site. Quit spitting lies.

lcilek wrote:I have a few questions...

I am going on a backpacking trip to Europe for a couple of months and originally wasn't planning on bringing any type of computer, etc. I know that the Kindle is an e-reader, but would i be able to use it as a method of posting blogs, etc?

Also, compared with the dailysteals.com deal, am I right in assuming that the 3G coverage of this Kindle will hold over in Europe (based on the coverage map), but that I will be only be able to use the nook with a wifi (vs. 3G) while abroad?

I realize that a tablet would be a much better option, but for the price, I would love to be able to have some sort of electronic option while on my trip to a) blog a little, b) download maps/travel guides, and c) do minimal internet surfing (im not sure c is possible on either).

thanks for the help!

I've had my 3rd gen kindle since November and think it's better for surfing the internet than people give it credit for (though I also remember thinking the 3rd gen was better at it, having used a friend's 2nd gen to play with before buying). I'm currently living in Chile, and coverage between the city and the beach, both of which are highly populated, has been excellent--I imagine that abroad, the further you go from a densely populated area, the less chance you'll have of getting a 3G signal. I also wouldn't recommend it for typing more than a sentence or two into an e-mail though (in other words, no blogging) because the tiny button keyboard would get tedious after a while.

"For $25 more you can get a brand new Non-Refurb 3rd Gen Kindle? This will not sell out. Should have priced closer to $59."

For $25 more, you get a Wi-Fi only, ad-supported Kindle.

sroel908 wrote:"For $25 more you can get a brand new Non-Refurb 3rd Gen Kindle? This will not sell out. Should have priced closer to $59."

For $25 more, you get a Wi-Fi only, ad-supported Kindle.

Go look at the details. 3G is the only positive, but that is no big deal since the newer version has wifi. Sorry if you bought this old version. Buyer's remorse stinks.

therunningman wrote:Go look at the details. 3G is the only positive, but that is no big deal since the newer version has wifi. Sorry if you bought this old version. Buyer's remorse stinks.

Wi-Fi is fine, if you are near a hotspot. If not, the 3G is worth it in my opinion.

eft wrote:Perhaps a dumb question: It says you don't need a computer, but the pictured cable is for plugging into USB ports at both ends. How do you charge it without a computer?

You need a USB port commonly found on computers, but for a few bucks, you can buy an adapter that plugs into a car power point (used to be called a cigarette lighter)into which a USB cable can be plugged.

bobothebear wrote:Love, love, love my Kindle. It weighs next to nothing, so I take it everywhere with me. You never know when you're going to be waiting and need something to do. On a personal note, condolences to everyone affected by the tornado in Joplin, Missouri. I live about 10 miles from there and my daughter lost one of her friends.

Sorry to hear that Bobothebear.. My thoughts and prayers are with you..

panithan wrote:What's the difference between this and the 3rd gen one? It's not that much cheaper than the current gen with "Special Offers." This one has 3g, but I really doubt I'll ever need to download a new book while not having access to WiFi, so that doesn't really matter that much to me.

See How the Latest 3G Kindle Compares to the 2nd Generation 3G Kindle
The Latest 3G Kindle has:
21% smaller body, same 6" reading area
15% lighter
50% improved screen contrast
Most-advanced E Ink Pearl display technology
Crisper, darker fonts
Double the storage
Faster, quieter page turns
Built-in Wi-Fi
Enhanced PDF reader
Soft-touch textured back
WebKit-based browser
Voice Guide read-to-me menus

donfaust wrote:I got one of these for Christmas. The letters wear off of the keys really fast - to the point where within 6 weeks time some of the letters were gone.

I've had mine since Dec 2009 and no such 'wearing off of letters' has occurred. Also--love the ease of carrying multiple eBooks on my Kindle while on trips (as opposed to multiple heavy regular books).

alex1818 wrote:I am wandering if it supports Cyrillic font (to read Russian books)?

google: "are cyrillic fonts available on kindle"

Answer from askville: No

billhill wrote:For those that keep saying this is an older model. this is the latest version of the Kindle. There are only 2 generations and this is the second gen, the latest. When you see "3G" on the amazon site it means 3G wireless service not 3rd GEN.

Sorry, you're wrong. The model on Amazon whether it includes 3G or not is also the third generation. This one here is in fact the old model.

sdc100 wrote:They simply mean that having free 3G means that you can buy books without the need of a computer, i.e. when you're on a beach. If you don't have access to a computer, you can a USB charger that plugs into any outlet. It has a USB port where you plug in your USB cord. You can get them for a few dollars on eBay.

Thank you for saying this. I'm sick of all the "It has 3G for free what an amazing deal" posts when in reality the only benefit it has is purchasing books without a wifi nearby...a nice feature, but not a life changing feature.

therunningman wrote:For $25 more you can get a brand new Non-Refurb 3rd Gen Kindle? This will not sell out. Should have priced closer to $59.

Only $19 more for the new one ($214),$5 vs free shipping.

alex1818 wrote:Does it have Wi-Fi (in addition to 3G)?

This model does not have wi-fi.

So,
I have always thought that you couldn't get non amazon books onto the kindle. Reading through the comments, I see that I was wrong. If I use a program like Calibre, how do I actually get the books onto the kindle? Is it over USB? Does that mean I don't care about 3G?

csl312 wrote:I am considering picking up an e-reader one of these days but as a grad student am going to be reading a lot of journal articles, so I need one that has very good pdf reading function. The book thing is just a bonus to me really. Is the 2nd gen kindle good at this? If not what e-reader is (are there any? everything I have found online has been ambiguous about pdf reading on e-readers).

This particular Kindle is very poor for viewing PDFs. You would need the larger version for that.

rothmaniac wrote:So,
I have always thought that you couldn't get non amazon books onto the kindle. Reading through the comments, I see that I was wrong. If I use a program like Calibre, how do I actually get the books onto the kindle? Is it over USB? Does that mean I don't care about 3G?

You would use the USB for transferring the files from your computer to the kindle. You could use the 3G to do it (via sending email to your Kindle) but why would you want to?