Kindle comes with free 3G

By Joseph Hanlon on 26 October 2009

Mobile broadband data charges are a real bugbear in Australia, which is probably why Amazon has opted to go with free 3G in all Kindles.

(Credit: Amazon)

Amazon, one of the world's largest online stores, has recently made its ebook reader, the Kindle, available to customers outside of the US. The Kindle stores and reads a small selection of ebook text files and PDFs, and displays the text using a monochromatic display type known as E-Ink. Books available in this format can be bought through Amazon's online store, which can be accessed from a PC or directly through the Kindle using a 3G data connection.

Data associated with downloading a new book is paid for by Amazon, and is included in the purchase price of the Kindle; there are no ongoing contracts associated with buying one. Amazon estimates that customers can download a new book through its store in under 60 seconds, though actual download times would vary depending on signal strength and whether 3G network coverage is available.

The Kindle is available through Amazon's US website for US$259 (AU$279 at the time of writing) and while ebooks vary in price, most bestsellers cost between US$9.99 and US$11.99. There are currently approximately 288,000 ebooks available to Australian Amazon customers.

Topics: 3g, amazon, downloads, e-book, kindle, reader, ebook

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Comments (14)

  • Benny commented on 29/10/2009 16:52 Report abuse

    I'm sure I read on another site (possible Australian IT) that the reason we are paying about $4 per book more than in the US is is because Amazon could not reach an agreement with Telstra to run it's service. They didn't want to use other providers due to coverage issues, so instead it uses expensive data roaming provided by AT&T in the US.

    So in fact you are paying for the data every time you download a book.

  • JB commented on 27/10/2009 22:35 Report abuse

    The extended warranty is not available in Australia. There is a lot of disturbing stuff out there which says the battery goes dead soon after a year. I love the device but will I be spending on a new one the moment the one year warranty runs out??

  • Camerooni commented on 27/10/2009 11:59 Report abuse

    Nothing like region locking books!
    This is PROGRESS! =)

  • Anome commented on 27/10/2009 09:26 Report abuse

    I actually think the download cost is factored into the price of the books, not the price of the Kindle, which explains the disparity in price between the US and overseas markets (particularly here). It would also make more sense, since then they would be recouping the cost on a usage basis.

  • woops commented on 27/10/2009 08:24 Report abuse

    Data will not be free, unless Amazon has specific relationships established with each of the telcos here, hence, you are likley to pay for content download against your data allowance/charging.

  • JB commented on 27/10/2009 07:18 Report abuse

    Got one for my wife as a birthday present. Thats the only electronic device she has ever shown an interest in!! It down loads a book in seconds and the one click checkout is marvellous...though tempts her to spend lots!! But Amazon must get us the bestseller list. One feels cheated with the "old "book selection. It must be just a matter of duties and taxes and easy to sort out. Get on with it Amazon

  • mbox.com.au commented on 26/10/2009 16:56 Report abuse

    I've got one too. I don't think that it supports Wi-Fi. Only 2G/3G and USB.

  • mbox.com.au commented on 26/10/2009 16:36 Report abuse

    I've got one too. I don't think that it supports Wi-Fi. Only 2G/3G and USB.

  • Shane commented on 26/10/2009 16:28 Report abuse

    It's a lovely device. If you're thinking of getting one though, its important that you realise that 98% or so of what's available in the US (current titles) is NOT available here. I feel a bit like someone who's gained entry into this HUGE bookshop with signs "not available to Australians" everywhere - the quarter of a million titles or so available to us are Project Gutenberg type items, indie authors and the literary equivalent of Tijuana Brass Plays Led Zep. In the end I'm happy 'cos I've got masses of personal documents to put on it

  • mac commented on 26/10/2009 16:28 Report abuse

    Me too, got the $20 refund and love the Kindle. Only gripe is how few 'bestseller' and new release books are available to Australian customers, pretty disappointing.

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