Can't decide between WiFi only or get the 3G - Got it today

[LauraB]

Did I read here that the new Kindles that have the 3G only allows surfing to the Amazon website, and NOT general internet surfing?

You can only surf the internet on wifi, if you have the 3g then you have the 3g with wifi so you can do the web.

[mooshie78]

You can only surf the internet on wifi, if you have the 3g then you have the 3g with wifi so you can do the web.

But only via WiFi.

Which is an important distinction as many have posted that they used the 3G on their Kindle to do thing like check g-mail when traveling and not at a wifi hot spot.  You can't do that any more on the Kindle touch--you'd have to find a wifi hot spot.

[LauraB]

That is what I just said.

[zeppo]

That is what I just said.

well no actually what you said was

"if you have the 3g then you have the 3g with wifi so you can do the web."

and what Mooshie said was:

if you have the 3g then you have the 3g with wifi so you can do the web ONLY IF YOU HAVE A WIFI CONNECTION (caps for the distinction, not to shout.)

the point that has been made is that there are often times when you can't get a free wifi connection to surf on (access email) and your Touch with 3G will not help you there, where as the Kindle Keyboard with 3G *will* help you.

[zeppo]

If you have a device with WiFi AND 3G it works a little differently.

The @free address will let you send to the Kindle wirelessly but it will NEVER be delivered via 3G.  So if you have no WiFi network available and only connect via 3G, the document will never show up wirelessly.  You WILL get a note back to your regular email address that the 'converted' document is waiting for you to side-load.  (That's basically what it says but the words are different.)

If you use the other address -- without 'free' in it -- and haven't set the charge limit to $0.00, you can send things and they will be delivered whether you are connected via Wifi or 3G.  If they get delivered via 3G, you'll be charged 15¢ per MB or part of MB.  If the charge limit is set at zero, that means you have not authorized them to charge you so they won't send it by 3G.  It essentially 'flips' to the @free address and will work as explained above.

Thanks, Ann.  So if this capability is true on the Touch with 3G wireless, for practical purposes you could receive a message from someone via wireless for 15cents anywhere your 3G wireless is connecting.  So if you are traveling abroad for instance and don't have wifi, though you thus wouldn't have email access (ie, to yahoo or gmail), you could still get communication via your kindle address.

That wouldn't help with outgoing communication, but could save you an expensive incoming phone call here and there if that is true.

PS:  I found this link which has been helpful, though I'm still absorbing it

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=200767340#sendingpdocs

[Kathy]

My Touch WiFi only arrives tomorrow. I was on my Manage Your Kindle page and looking at my devices. It listed the Kindle Touch and it did have an email address listed. It was my Amazon email address, but I can change it if I want to. So I guess that answers the question on sending documents to you Kindle.

[Kathy]

Got my new Kindle Touch today. Had no issues hooking up to my home WiFi. Downloaded several books without an issue. Loving the touch screen too. I'm still learning where to touch but I'm sure that will be easier with time.

[malligator]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I really love 3G, but that magic $99 price point is just so enticing. My wife has a portable Mifi hotspot so I may get the wifi-only knowing we always have a gateway to the internet with us.

Oh, and congrats on the new Kindle!

[Kathy]

Remember you also use the computer to add books to the Kindle if needed. Had no issue getting connected. I am loving the Touch so much. I'm really happy I made the decision.