Kindle 3G Web Browsing Question

[Lucidism]

Kindle 3G owners,

Can the 3G connection on your Kindle be used to access ANY web site for as much as you want? Or is it limited?

[SatvikBeri]

Any website, but the display of the Kindle 3G is somewhat limited. It works well with heavily text-based sites like Steve's or Wikipedia, but it doesn't display pictures or video.

The connection is useful in a pinch (real example: if your flight was delayed and you have to send an emergency e-mail) but it's not really something you want to use to browse the internet regularly.

[Lucidism]

Thanks! I have an iPod Touch that I use for mobile web browsing in WiFi areas, like an airport, but I've been considering the purchase of a Kindle for reading. Maybe I'll go with the non-3G version and save $50. Or maybe I'll sell the Touch and go with an iPad. Maybe I'll do nothing. Decisions, decisions.

[Kaie]

Hmm, I am considering the Kindle too. I looked at the Nook too. The Nook is better for web browsing, but I really just want something to use for reading. I have decided on the Kindle because it is less expensive, and I already have handheld devices for email and web browsing. I think I am going to g with 3g though so I can browse and shop wherever I am.

[WonderofTech]

Hi Kaie, I don't think you will be upset with your decision to get a Kindle as an ereader. I have both a Kindle and an iPad, but I still prefer the Kindle for reading because the eInk screen is easier on my eyes and the iPad tends to be distracting with all of its features.

Enjoy!

[JStallard]

The Kindle is *awesome* for reading books. Amazon has an 'experimental' built in browser that works OK, but I don't think that they ever intend for the browser to be its main function. Its hard to type in addresses with the tiny keypad (you have to hit 5 buttons to get a '.' in the web address), with no mouse or cursor its hard to navigate pages, etc.

What is great, however, is that with the lifetime 3G service, as long as you have the 3g reception, you can browse the web from anywhere, making your kindle a lot more useful. I used it once to send a few emails from the beach once, when i had forgotten my phone in the car and didn't want to walk across the hot sand back through the parking lot to get it. It took 40 minutes to do mind you, but it was very handy indeed.

Also, you can of course go to amazon, and find new books to download to your Kindle, from your Kindle.

Also, something with the kindle browser doesn't allow sites to redirect you to the mobile optimized versions of websites like you find when you browse say on an iphone. The full-feature, flash enabled, fancy graphics versions always come up, making it a bit more difficult to use since you have to navigate around all the fancy graphics to get to the links or articles you want deeper in the sites (even Amazon.com itself!)

I created a kindle 'app' to solve this problem actually. Called the "Easy Kindle Homepage" which you can download, and it is really a list of links to the most popular websites, which directs you to the mobile optimized versions of all the sites. If you don't want to spend hours researching and adding all your main sites to your favorites (or memorizing the mobile site addresses for cnn, yahoo, new york times, wikipedia) , people can download it and have it handy on their bookshelf, and go directly to mobile browsing optimized sites.

If you're looking for an e-reader, the kindle is hands down the best. The E-ink screen is great for books, blogs, newspapers, and magazines. The browser is secondary, but really makes the Kindle a must have item for the avid reader. My morning routine has changed from "wallet, keys, phone. Check" to "wallet, keys, phone, Kindle. Check!"

Just my humble opinion!

~J