Kindle International: Burning Questions

International Kindle may not be available until October 19th, but it has generated quite a buzz around the world. Amazon has not only reduced its Kindle prices but has given the gift of Kindle to people who travel internationally or reside outside the U.S. The introduction of the new gadget has brought up a lot of questions among current Kindle owners. Many want to know how to upgrade their Kindle to Kindle international, while others are interested in knowing the possible release date of Kindle DX international. Here are a few Kindle International FAQs you need to know the answer to (don’t forget to send in or comment your question at the end of this post):

• Is my country covered by Amazon Whispernet? Amazon is using AT&T’s global wireless network to provide you access to the Internet around the world. Not all countries are covered. But you can always check Whispernet’s global coverage map to find out whether your country is covered.
• Can I hack my Kindle 2.0 and turn it into a Kindle international? there is no easy way to get this done at this point. The new Kindles use a different hardware, so you are better off picking a new one at this point.
• Can I read books in my native language on Kindle? unfortunately, that is not possible at this point unless you are talking about English. Amazon is planning to offer more support in the future.
• Can I share content between my Kindle 2.0 international and Kindle 2 U.S.? you can. However, you can only share your e-books on 6 Kindle readers. You can’t share periodicals and newspapers among your Kindles.
• I just ordered a Kindle. Can I upgrade it to Kindle International? yes and no. Amazon doesn’t have an official policy on this, but as long as you bought your Kindle within the past 30 days, you should be able to convince Amazon’s customer service to let you make the change. But don’t expect Amazon to magically turn your Kindle 2 (U.S.) to Kindle 2 international. You will have to return your old device. If you have owned your Kindle 2 U.S. for a while, you can always sell it for a bit less on eBay.
• I paid $299 for my Kindle just a few days ago. How do I take advantage of the latest Kindle price drop? Amazon doesn’t have any obligation to refund you the difference no matter when you bought your device. But you can always return your old Kindle and get a new one with the lower price. That’s why the company’s customer service may be ready to save you and itself some headache by giving you a partial refund. It never hurts to ask.
• I want a Kindle DX international. What do I do? if you can wait till early 2010, then you should be good to go. Kindle DX international is coming. It’s a matter of when at this point.
• Are they any additional fees associated with Kindle 2.0 international? yes. Take a look:
  • Kindle International Books: $1.99 per book from Amazon’s store or your archived books.
  • Kindle International Subscriptions: newspaper, magazine, and blog subscription content via Whispernet will cost you a weekly fee of $4.99.
  • Current Issue Service: Download issues of newspapers and magazines from the Kindle store via Whispernet for $1.99 per issue.
  • Personal Document Service: $.99 per megabyte
• Do I need a special adapter to charge my Kindle in a foreign country? if you are charging it with your USB cable, you should be good to go. Otherwise, look out.
• What constitutes a U.S. based customer (as far as fees are concerned)? a U.S. customer is one that has linked her Kindle with her U.S. address.
• Are there any wireless fees associated with using Amazon Kindle? no. But Amazon does reserve the right to give you warning or terminate your contract if you hack your Kindle.
• Can I pay for my Kindle in 3 or 4 installments? you can’t at this point. Amazon may offer the option in the future (with its store card). But that is not an option at this point.
• How long should I wait to get my Kindle? the sooner you order it, the better. The wait is not expected to be long this time around, but you never know.

There you have it: Answers to a few questions that people are asking about the Kindle international edition. Please share your questions if they are not answered above. You can also check Amazon Kindle’s frequently asked questions page for more information.