Johanna Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Amazon Kindle (Wi-Fi) OR Amazon Kindle (3G/Wi-Fi) WHAT does 3G add to it?? What can you do with 3G that you can't do with JUST wifi??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 I may be wrong, but my understanding is that 3G will let you download books almost anywhere in the US, while Wi-Fi only means you have to be in a "hot spot" to do so. I have a Kindle 2 with both and I can download books, browse the internet (basic tasks), shop in the Kindle store anywhere. If it only had Wi-Fi I'd have to be somewhere like Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, etc. to get a signal. Someone more savvy will be able to answer this better than me, probably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 I may be wrong, but my understanding is that 3G will let you download books almost anywhere in the US, while Wi-Fi only means you have to be in a "hot spot" to do so. I have a Kindle 2 with both and I can download books, browse the internet (basic tasks), shop in the Kindle store anywhere. If it only had Wi-Fi I'd have to be somewhere like Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, etc. to get a signal. Someone more savvy will be able to answer this better than me, probably. :iagree: This is my understanding as well and the reason dh bought 3G instead of wifi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Depending on where you live, WiFi hotspots might be everywhere, or they may be hard to find. Like an iPhone or other smartphone, if you get the 3G, you can access the Kindle store almost anywhere. If you live in a busy city with free wifi, or if you only foresee needing to download books at home (with your wireless computer modem) or in airports (or other free wifi spots), you can save the money and skip the 3G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johanna Posted December 6, 2010 Author Share Posted December 6, 2010 ooooh, you can browse internet?? Didnt know that! Ok, so the 3G means I can download and browse internet anywhere (for free?)! right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 ooooh, you can browse internet?? Didnt know that! Ok, so the 3G means I can download and browse internet anywhere (for free?)! right? You can with Wi-Fi too, but in Wi-Fi hotspots. I struggle with the internet part though - it's not formatted well so I do only the necessary and most basic of tasks on it, and only when I can't get to my computer. It's a nice feature to have if I NEED to look up info from my email when I'm out of the house. I don't browse all my friends' FB stati or anything like that. Too hard, IMHO. And leaving the Wireless connection on is a total battery drain. I played with it for a while when I first got the Kindle - now I leave the Wireless Connection off unless I absolutely need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 (edited) You're likely not going to want to browse the web much on it, though it is nice to have it available. I'm happy with the wi-fi-only model and have no need for 3G or 24/7 access to the Kindle store, though you may as well get that model if you think you'll use 3G. I also keep the wi-fi off unless I'm downloading something. Edited December 6, 2010 by WordGirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiam Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 3G is not free! That is something you have to pay for from AT&T or Verizon, at either $15 or $25 a month. So, yeah, not free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 3G is not free! That is something you have to pay for from AT&T or Verizon, at either $15 or $25 a month. So, yeah, not free! Not true for a Kindle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieF Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 3G is free for us in the UK so I imagine it is the same in the US. You pay more upfront for the 3G Kindle but after that it is free. Stephanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Yes, the costs of the 3G are wrapped up in the price of the Kindle and the books. No monthly subscriptions or charges. I have the 2nd generation that is 3G, Edge and Whispernet enabled and I have yet to find a place that I CAN'T get reception with it. We were up in the mountains over the summer and my cellphone was completely useless but I was able to get wireless on my Kindle :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekanamom Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 I found the 3G to be very handy. We have tons of wifi hotspots around, but they are usually password protected. I don't have my kindle anymore (another iPad defector); but it was very, very handy to download books while we were out. I could be out at park day & download a recommended book, or out on vacation in a spot without wifi and still get to the kindle store. The browser is pretty rudimentary, but you can do some limited web browsing... Yes the 3G is free with the Kindle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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