I have been guilty of being greedy when it comes to my Kindle. I want more features, more accessories, and cheaper books. But you don’t truly realize what you have until you see what others don’t have. I was always aware that Whispernet had its limitations, but I wasn’t aware that folks were actually buying the Kindle in areas that are not covered by Sprint. That was until I read this:
So I’m from alaska. From what I read so far, Whispernet is not offered in this state. However, I’d still love to use a Kindel just as a book. I noticed that a USB connector comes with the Kindel. So I’m guessing I could download kindel e-books to my PC, then upload them to my kindel from there.
You can read the whole story here, but think about the inconvenience of having to download Kindle books manually to put them on your Kindle? I am used to buying Kindle books and seeing them appear out of nowhere in my Kindle library, so in that sense I kind of feel spoiled.
Now here is my question for you guys. Would you buy Kindle knowing that your home city is not covered by Whispernet? How much would you be willing to pay for it?
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9 comments
#1ShinyOwenJanuary 9, 2009, 6:20 am
Absolutely – as I live in Canada I’ve been living with my Kindle in this mode ever since I bought it.
There are worse things in the world than not being able to impulse-buy books!
It works fine through the computer.
#2HeatherJanuary 9, 2009, 6:25 am
As much as I love my kindle– probably bot. Whispernet & the kindle browser were big selling points to me when I was thinking about getting a kindle.
#3P. RadJanuary 9, 2009, 8:33 am
I guess it really depends on your situation. If you live in a country that doesn’t have the coverage, you may still want to experience Kindle, even though you won’t get the whole Whispernet experience.
#4KarenJanuary 9, 2009, 11:35 am
Consider that everyone buying a Sony reader and every other dedicated reader on the market is doing just this. Many of them at much higher prices than the Kindle (and with the latest Sony, the addition of the touch screen means glare and lower contrast on the screen along with the higher price).
#5Karen MJanuary 9, 2009, 5:15 pm
Yes — I bought a Kindle because I knew I would be spending the next couple of years traveling overseas. I am a voracious reader, and with a 1GB card, I can carry hundreds of books with me without having to worry about going over my shipping allowances, even if I have to download them and move them to the Kindle using the USB cable.
#6P. RadJanuary 9, 2009, 5:37 pm
I think a lot of folks have the tendency to say no to this question having experienced what Kindle has to offer. Think about it. If iPod touch is the first iPod that you have owned, would you go back to the old iPod Classic 1G with no apps to download?
#7BarryMarch 1, 2009, 2:19 am
No. I would have considered a $100 version. If you can see a mountain or more than twelve trees from your house you should check first to see if there is coverage from the ‘wonderful’ Sprint company. I live next to Penn State Univ and cannot get coverage. I am very disappointed.
#8Mary BrownSeptember 2, 2009, 1:00 pm
I’m from Canada and I bought a kindle hoping to download through the computer but when I tried to buy from Amazon they wouldn’t let me as my billing address is in Canada.
How do the Canadians get around that? I would still love to use my kindle.
#9AlexSeptember 7, 2009, 10:20 pm
Absolutely not – why should I pay the same amount as those that get the Whispernet functionality, just because I live in Canada? Besides, without Whispernet Kindle loses any chance it has at competing with Sony PRS 700.
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