Q: What are the differences between the WiFi and 3G models?
A: Wifi model is cheaper $139 than the 3G one – $189. The is precise difference is : how each one connects wirelessly.
- Wifi Kindle: The WiFi model connects exclusively to wireless networks in the immediate vicinity, thereby tethering you to a central location for wireless access. You can find WIFi hotspots in many locations, including at Starbucks’, hotels, schools, and your own wireless network set up at home. This model would be most advantageous for people who often do their reading at home or in a location they know to have WiFi access. Keep in mind that some hotels charge for their WiFi access, so it isn’t always clear-cut and free.
- 3G+wifi Kindle: The 3G model relies on the same mobile wireless as cell phones, but without the monthly data fees and contractual agreements. The 3G model would probably be best for those who travel often, can’t be without a wireless connection, or often find themselves away from a WiFi hotspot for lengthy periods of time. For example, if you’re a car pooling commuter to work/school, you might find that being able to browse the internet on your Kindle during the drive is a huge bonus, in which case the 3G model would benefit you. The 3G coverage map can be found in the answer for the next question.
Q: Is the 3G wireless service available everywhere?
A: The 3G wireless is available in 100 + countries. The wireless coverage map can be found here.
Q: Why doesn’t the Kindle have a backlight?
A: The Kindle doesn’t have a backlight because it’s designed to replicate the reading experience as realistically as it possibly can. When reading a Kindle, you’re supposed to feel as if you’re reading a paper book due to the e-ink display. There’s simply no way to add a backlight without compromising the reading experience and adding glare to the screen.
As an alternative, you can purchase either one of the many book lights available or the new lighted cover for the K3 which has a built in light that is powered by the Kindle’s own battery.
Q: Is there a way to replace the battery if it fails?
A: The Kindle 1 had a user replaceable battery, but that feature was eliminated in the second and third generations. However, it’s a relatively simple process to disassemble the K2 and replace the battery yourself, and if you’re outside of the warranty it’s relatively cheap and worth trying. Here’s a tutorial for that.
As the K3 is not yet released, there is currently no such tutorial for it, but it will probably be a similar process.
Regardless, the batteries for the K2 and K3 are durable and have a life expectancy of several years at least. Replacing the battery should not be a concern.
Q: Why doesn’t the Kindle offer the option of expandable memory?
A: For the most part, it’s not necessary. The K3 has a HD capacity of 4 gigs, which equates to approximately 3500 books. Even with audiobooks, MP3 files, and any other extraneous content placed on the Kindle, there is plenty of room for ebooks. If you have to remove some content from the device in order to make space for something else, rest assured that, if you purchased it from Amazon, they will have a backup in their Archives that is available to be re-downloaded at any time. If you delete content that you did not buy from Amazon, make sure that you back it up on your computer first so you can transfer it back to the Kindle whenever you need it.
Q: What should I do if my Kindle is malfunctioning/damaged?
A: If your Kindle isn’t working correctly, the first step is to restart it. There are two different restart procedures for the K2, K3, and KDX.
- The first is a soft reset. To do this, press Home > Menu > Settings > Menu > Restart. This should always be the preferred restarting method, and you should use if it all possible before resorting to a hard restart.
- For a hard restart, unplug the Kindle from any power source. Then, slide and hold the power switch for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes blank and the process initiates. You should use this method only if your Kindle is unresponsive and there’s no way for you to conduct a soft reset instead. If the restart does not successfully eradicate the issue, the next step is to contact customer service (link can be found near the top of this post).
A customer service representative will probably first guide you through some troubleshooting procedures to see if there are any changes. If that does not work, the only alternative will be a replacement Kindle. If you are under warranty, Amazon will send you a new Kindle with 1 day shipping. They will also give you a prepaid shipping label with which you will send back your defective Kindle. If you do not return your defective Kindle within 30 days, you will be charged for the replacement.
If you are not under warranty, Amazon will probably offer you the alternative of a refurbished Kindle at a heavily discounted price.
Q: Should I purchase the extended warranty for the Kindle?
A: To determine whether or not you’d benefit from the purchase of the extended warranty, you should ask yourself a few questions:
- Are you generally clumsy with electronics?
- Do you have young children that could accidentally break the Kindle?
- Are you a gadget aficionado that purchases every new model the moment it’s available?
If you’re generally clumsy or have young children, the extended warranty might be justifiable as you never know what might happen. If you’re a gadget aficionado, it might not be worth it because you’d probably be buying the newest generation a year and a half or two years down the road anyway.
Another thing to consider is the declining cost of eReaders:
- Is a $50 warranty worth it for a $139-$189 device? Also keep in mind that Amazon’s extended warranty isn’t an additional two years of coverage, but one year of coverage added onto the base 1 year warranty that the device comes with.
Amazon warranty link here
However, you could also purchase a warranty from Square Trade, which is a reputable warranty provider that is widely used by Kindle owners. Coupon codes for their warranties often float around, and they tend to be cheaper than Amazon’s official warranty despite their offering coverage for a longer period of time.
Click here to go to Square Trade website
Q: Is the Kindle a good device for students?
A: Yes and no. It’s almost perfect for literature courses as you’d probably have access to any of the required texts, the built-in dictionary is hugely beneficial, and you can make notes that are easily accessible later. However, for following along during an active class, it can be difficult to track down where everyone else is in the book and then navigate to that point on the Kindle. The Kindle is also very text-centric, meaning diagram-laden books can be somewhat poorly displayed and cumbersome. There’s also no color, so some diagrams can be spoiled that way as well.
It’s very much an evolving situation. More and more textbooks are being added every day, and the overall functionality for students is improving as time goes on.
Another thing to keep in mind is you can’t sell the digital textbooks as you normally would the paper versions when you’ve finished with a course.
Q: Should I get a Kindle in addition to my iPad?
A: This depends entirely on whether or not you’re satisfied with reading on your iPad. If the lcd display irritates your eyes and you’re frustrated by your inability to read in the sun with all of the glare, then the Kindle would be an ideal device to have around.
What people need to understand is that the iPad and the Kindle aren’t competitors, but companions. The iPad is a multipurpose tablet that can do various things well, and the Kindle is a dedicated device that does exactly what it’s made to do very well. Given the portability and lower price of the Kindle, it’s not a stretch to say that people will buy, carry, and use both as necessary.
Short excerpt from the Charlie Rose interview:
“CHARLIE ROSE: So you are counting on the fact that people want to have an extra device for reading, and therefore you are opting to make it
smaller, easier –JEFF BEZOS: Exactly.
CHARLIE ROSE: — and thinner.
JEFF BEZOS: You got it. And at $139 — and cheaper. At $139, people are going to have — I think we live in a multi-device world. You’re going
to have a tablet computer like an iPad or one of its competitors. You’re going to have a smart phone, you’re going to have a laptop. The tablet
computer isn’t going to replace the laptop because there are times when you want to write a long memo or a long email message or an article”
Q: What is Amazon’s return policy for the Kindle?
A: You can return a Kindle within 30 days of delivery at no cost aside from the return shipping. You will be provided with a prepaid shipping label via email, and the cost for that label will be deducted from your refund. Contact customer service to initiate the process of returning a Kindle.
The official Return Policy help topic can be found here.
Ultimately, it’s a choice only you can make based on your reading habits and how you intend to use your Kindle. If you’ll use the web browser casually, wireless 3G coverage without strings attached is probably for you. If you don’t really need wireless connectivity except for having books sent to you, and you read at home most of the time, go WiFi.
Q: What accessories should I purchase for my Kindle? Where can I buy them? What are some recommended brands?
A: Some Kindle users are content with the basic Amazon covers, but a large number of people prefer offerings from other sellers. M-Edge accessories tend to be very popular, and in particular, the Latitude case seems to garner a lot of attention.
Click here to see all available Kindle accessories
People can buy book lights from any number of sellers if they need them. Note that the only accessories currently available for the K3 are sold by Amazon. None of the companies above have anything to offer for the K3 yet as it is not yet released.
Source: Amazon Kindle Discussion
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