Amazon Kindle 3G Vs Wifi Only - Which Ebook Reader Should You Buy?

Amazon's Kindle 3 has caught everyone's attention. There 2 models available: the Kindle 3G (3G + WiFi) and the Kindle WiFi only.

What is the difference between Kindle 3G and WiFi?

The 3 G version comes with two color options: graphite and white. The WiFi is available in Graphite only. Also, the 3G gives you mobile connectivity anywhere you are and access in over 100 countries. The WiFi allows access to the web or the Kindle store, only when you are near a WiFi hotspot.

However, the WiFi has a major advantage: its price. It available at the ridiculously low price of 9, which means that it's 50 dollars cheaper than the 3G and it offers almost the same features.

Some of the common features of the Kindle 3G and the WiFi:

PDF files can be viewed at their actual size or with a zoom of 150%, 200% and 300%. You can also simply adjust the file to the width of the screen. The contrast can also be adjusted for a better reading experience. You have the ability to change the font size and type, the length of the lines and the characters, but you can not use your own font types unless you unlock the device. You can set bookmarks, highlights, keep notes, and search the text (the search function is not possible in PDFs, because they are scanned as images). There are two built-in dictionaries for American and British English. Instead of a page number, there are locations. You can browse through the table of contents, the transition to location, the return to previous location and of course, you can use the buttons for the next and previous page that are on both sides of the device. You can use the free applications provided by Amazon to read the e-books at your PC, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, BlackBerry, Android mobile and tablet PC by syncing the bookmarks and notes to your Kindle (it requires Internet connection). Kindle is available in graphite and white, with the same technical characteristics. The warranty is for 1 year. The extended warranty is for 2 years, but only applies to the United States.

Accessories:
With this device you get the USB cable needed to connect to a computer, but you do not get any case for the device. However, it is not very safe to carry the equipment unprotected. Another disadvantage is that the charger that comes with the device does not support the voltage in Europe. So, if you live in Europe you will have to charge the device only through your computer (fortunately the battery lasts for about a month). You can also choose to buy an adapter for European sockets from Amazon at a very low cost.

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Best E-Readers Compared - The Kindle 2 and 3 From the Amazon Stable

How does the Kindle 3 stack up against my questions?

In my previous article I articulated a number of questions to guide my search for an E-Reader. My initial thoughts were influenced by my personal need which was to have a device to be able to read my favourite books on long-haul trips of up to 10 or 12 hours. After identifying what I considered were baseline guidelines I decided to look further for an E-Reader that might double as a work-related item. With my strategy in mind this is what I discovered on the internet.

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The Kindle 3

I read or rather saw the kindle probably about a year ago whilst browsing thought Amazon. My initial reaction was hmmm what can I use that for? I never gave another thought to it until I arrived in Waikiki last month and happened upon the Apple Mac shop on Kalakaua Ave. It was there that I saw the iPad and had a play on it; I was impressed to say the least but I didn't buy one. I am an apple fan but only of the devices and not the prices. With this in mind, I checked out the kindle 3 and see if meets my personal needs. Incidentally, I was actually writing about the Kindle 2 and then the Kindle 3 pops up.

Is it lighter than a 500 page hardcover book and Is it smaller than A4 (11.7"x 8.3") so that it slips into my on-board luggage?

The Kindle 3 is a step up from the original Kindle and is a mere 0.335" thick (thin), 4.8" wide and 7.5" high and weighs in at a measly 8.5 ounces. It is sleek and slim and much smaller than an A4 piece of paper.

The rationale behind the first two questions is that I want to pack or rather slip the device into my carry-on luggage to read while on long-haul flights. The Kindle 2 was slimmer than the iPhone and the Kindle 3 is smaller than the Kindle 2 so it meets both criteria. The Kindle 2 has a 6" diagonal electronic paper display (and so does the Kindle 3), measures 8"x 5.3" x 0.36" and weighs a measly 10.2 ounces.

Can I read it in the dark and in the direct sunlight on the beach in Waikiki or Turtle Bay?

Both the kindle 2 and Kindle 3 come with 16 levels of gray scale which means you can read it in full sunlight. The kindle 3 is equipped with an E-Link screen that provides a sheet of paper reading experience and is designed to eliminate glare. This means that the device can be read in sunlight and inside without worrying about light. I wonder if this means I don't need a light to read in the dark?

Does the battery power last at least 5 hours?

I am impressed with the battery power of the kindle 2. On a single charge with wireless on you have 4 days of reading; with wireless off you have up to two weeks of reading time. Obviously, wireless usage chews up your battery power. The kindle 3 battery life is very impressive; it boasts a battery life of a month on a single charge with Wi-Fi turned off. With Wi-Fi enabled it lasts 3 weeks which is still impressive.

Something else that caught my attention about the kindle 2 battery pack is that it is not removable which means you cannot replace it yourself. You need to send it into Amazon for replacement at a cost of . At this stage I don't know what the life span of the battery is.

How long does it take to charge and Can I charge the device up on the plane via USB?

It is nice to know that the Kindle 2 fully charges in approximately 4 hours and has a USB 2.0 port (cable supplied) so it can be charged up from a laptop and from the USB connection on the plane. It can also be charge via the kindle power adapter (which is handy if you don't have your PC or laptop with you). The kindle 3 can be fully charged in 4.5 hours and like the kindle 2 via USB cable.

What is the storage capacity?

The Kindle 2 has 2GB internal capacity which renders down to approximately 1.4GB of user space. How many books is that? Apparently up to 1500 books. The kindle 3 has an impressive 4GB of internal memory of which 3GB is available to the user; this equates to 3,500 books. Not bad at all - although I would hate to drop the device into water!

What types of formats does the device support?

As it turns out the kindle 2 and 3 supports the following formats: Kindle (AZW), TXT audible enhanced (AAX), MP3, unprotected MOBI and PRC. However, DOC, HTML, PDF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP files need to be converted by Amazon before they will work on the Kindle 2. Now that's a hassle but I bet if we take a look around Youtube we will find someone who has already done this, then we won't need to pay Amazon for that service.

Can I purchase my e-books from any provider with this e-reader?

The kindle stable has an impressive 700,000 books; add to that the 1,000,000 books that Amazon has available for users to read for free. As far as I can tell - the Kindle can only access books from the Amazon store (I need to check that out thoroughly)

What accessories come with the device?

You get a power adapter, USB 2.0 cable and a rechargeable battery for both the Kindle 2 and 3. The cover is sold separately

How much does the device cost?

For the kindle 2 the prices are 9 (permits downloads with the US) and 9 (the international version which allows for content downloads in over 100 countries). The Kindle 3 is 9 which in my opinion is a great price! (I can spend more than that on books is a single shot)

Good to know

Amazon keeps a back up of your books so that if you accidentally erase a book from your device you can download it again at no cost to you Enhanced PDF reader with a facility for dictionary lookup, notes and highlights both 3G and Wireless available Car charger accessory available for just under

Best E-Readers Compared - The Kindle 2 and 3 From the Amazon Stable

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