BajaNomad - KINDLE - Powered by XMB

KINDLE

comitan - 1-1-2012 at 03:29 PM

Does anyone in BCS have the Kindle with free 3G, and does it work.

danaeb - 1-1-2012 at 03:31 PM

Yes I do, and yes it does. I just downloaded a book a couple of days ago. I'm in Centenario.

Bill Collector - 1-1-2012 at 03:45 PM

It works great down here no problems ..we're in Buena Vista, BCS

El Camote - 1-1-2012 at 03:55 PM

Only a marginal hijack but does anyone have any experience with the Kindle Fire? Was considering purchasing one for my elderly mother for xmas but read some bad reviews.

comitan - 1-1-2012 at 03:55 PM

I should have given more info, interested in The Kindle touch with 3G and wifi.

danaeb - 1-1-2012 at 05:27 PM

Hi Wiley - I think that Amazon's Whispernet 3G technology, which they employ across multiple Kindle platforms would perform similarly for each. Just my two cents.

Dana

bajamigo - 1-1-2012 at 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Camote
Only a marginal hijack but does anyone have any experience with the Kindle Fire? Was considering purchasing one for my elderly mother for xmas but read some bad reviews.

I've had one for about three weeks and cannot say enough good things about it. It's not as easy as the regular Kindle to read in the sun, but for performing basic tasks, it's great. It can do everything an elderly Mom might need it for, and obtaining additional apps is a cinch (and most are free). And of course at $199, it's a real price performer.

meme - 1-2-2012 at 10:43 AM

The only REAL problem I have heard is the Fire has no 3G. But I do have another Kindle Keyboard with Wi Fi & 3G, which downloads just fine in BCN --no problems.

Download........yes.

fixtrauma - 1-2-2012 at 02:00 PM

I have downloaded books while in Centenario and while in Melitón Albáñez...........free. No problems.

twogringos - 1-2-2012 at 03:13 PM

We've had the Kindle 3G for about 6 months. Yes, you can buy from Amazon anywhere there is a cell signal, but what we really like is that you can use the (somewhat primitive) web browser anywhere there is a cell signal, 2G as in Asunsion, or 3G as in La Paz. We have our email forwarded to Gmail account so we can check and write mail anywhere in the world.

Riom - 1-3-2012 at 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by twogringos
Yes, you can buy from Amazon anywhere there is a cell signal, but what we really like is that you can use the (somewhat primitive) web browser anywhere there is a cell signal, 2G as in Asunsion, or 3G as in La Paz.

I agree, the email access is handy if you have any webmail account. Most things on the Kindle work fine in Baja California, a few at extra cost, I wrote an article last year on it:
http://www.sanfelipelife.com/post/Using-a-Kindle-in-Mexico

The library lending (from any participating US public library) requires a wi-fi connection (not 3G), but otherwise works fine even when in Mexico.

Rob

Kindle

LaRibereña - 5-8-2012 at 01:12 PM

Two of us here on the East Cape are now not getting our Kindle downloads. Anyone else having a problem? How do we get a bypass ISP?

chuckie - 5-8-2012 at 02:45 PM

Mine stopped downloading a couple of weeks ago..Dunno why..my wifes quit working about the same time..we are in Mulege..Diane is back in the US and it startedworking again?

Bob and Susan - 5-8-2012 at 02:59 PM

i pretty sure the canadians have the sane problem...its the isp number you are using

Riom - 5-8-2012 at 06:08 PM

Mine works fine - Kindle 3 keyboard 3G on Telcel in San Felipe, I downloaded a bunch of books a few days ago. I just checked again, ordered a free book at Amazon and it was delivered free over 3G a few seconds later.

I do have the recent software update - press home then menu then settings and look at the bottom line - the latest version is 3.3. Mine worked before that as well, but possibly your problem is your Kindle hasn't been updated and something then changed. Seems unlikely, but to update connect via wi-fi (not 3G) and try the "update your kindle" option in the menu, takes a while to download.

You can change the network (mobile carrier) that the Kindle 3G uses, if there's a problem with the auto selection of a carrier (but that's even less likely). Go to home, menu, settings then press 411 (on the keyboard, that's alt-E, alt-Q, alt-Q). Move the cursor to OK and press the selector. It'll then scan for available networks (takes a while) - around here that's Telcel in 3G, and both Telcel and Movistar in slow 2G.

I leave it set to "switch automatically" unless there's a special reason not to. For example at a hotel in Otay Mesa there were 3 different Mexican networks in 3G, and AT&T from the US in 2G, and the auto selection picked AT&T (cheaper roaming costs for Amazon) so that was one case where it was worth overriding it to get faster speeds.

Rob

LaPazGringo - 5-8-2012 at 06:10 PM

Okay, I don't know how you guys are doing it but my wife bought me a Kindle Fire as a gift and I couldn't wait to start using it down here. It said that I can't buy any content while in Mexico. Waited three weeks to get home, called Amazon, they confirmed that and issued an RMA despite us having had the Fire for a few months past the return limit. Was at a resort here in La Paz early last week, saw a guy at the pool on his Fire, asked him about it and he told me the same thing: no content purchases while in Mexico.

Kindle

LaRibereña - 5-8-2012 at 06:22 PM

How do I get that bypass ISP address?

Riom - 5-8-2012 at 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaPazGringo
Okay, I don't know how you guys are doing it but my wife bought me a Kindle Fire as a gift and I couldn't wait to start using it down here. It said that I can't buy any content while in Mexico.

The Kindle Fire is a bit different since it has more content than just books (video, music etc), and many of those might have license restrictions. But for plain old books to read, it works fine in Mexico when connected to wi-fi. Mostly we order the books with a computer and have them delivered direct to the Kindle Fire.

So I just checked shopping direct on the Fire for a free book and it worked OK, ordered and downloaded within Mexico from Amazon.com. No idea if it also works for paid books - I've never had a reason to pay for a book, there's so many free books around.

Rob

Riom - 5-8-2012 at 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaRibereña
How do I get that bypass ISP address?

The Kindle doesn't use an ISP (for 3G), it connects direct to a mobile network. See my post about 5 messages before this for how to change the mobile network choice, or (more likely to be the problem) how to update the Kindle.

Rob

willardguy - 5-8-2012 at 06:31 PM

the airstream guy turned me on to "tunnel bear" that gives you a virtual ISP address that works perfectly. I dont claim to understand the science behind it but it makes your computer act like its in any country you want.

LaPazGringo - 5-8-2012 at 06:32 PM

Rob, yes I could get free books - I do remember that. But to be honest, I was disappointed with actually trying to read on the Fire. It just doesn't feel right to me to read one of these devices. I mainly wanted the movie rentals on the Fire and it taught me that I'm more suited to real books for now. I just don't think the Fire is as easy to read as the original Kindle. My 2 cents...

DENNIS - 5-8-2012 at 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LaPazGringo
I just don't think the Fire is as easy to read as the original Kindle. My 2 cents...

So true. In fact, I can't even begin to read mine outside, even in heavy shade. I think that's the main reason it only costs 200 bucks.
When I first got mine around the first of the year, I was downloading everything with no problem. Then, I started to get a notice that I couldn't load MP3s with a Mexico IP address.

Then, again, it just stopped doing that and I'm not sure why. The only thing I did different was make an MP3 purchase through the Fire rather than my PC.

One more agravation from Amazon and I'll buy an IPAD and give the Fire to my dog to chew on. Til then, I really like it.

Riom - 5-8-2012 at 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by willardguy
the airstream guy turned me on to "tunnel bear" that gives you a virtual ISP address that works perfectly. I dont claim to understand the science behind it but it makes your computer act like its in any country you want.

That's a VPN (Tunnel bear is for iPhone/iPad only, but there are many others - I use Witopia). A VPN routes your non-3G data (wi-fi via a local ISP) to a gateway in the US or another country, so that it appears to Amazon etc that you are in that country.

Useful in some cases where you want to buy licensed content, but can't be used on a Kindle over 3G (because the Kindle doesn't have any VPN software), and can only be used from a Kindle with wi-fi if the software is on the wi-fi router (again because there's no software for the Kindle). The Kindle Fire might be different, maybe there's an Android VPN app that would work.

But as I mentioned in my article http://www.sanfelipelife.com/post/Using-a-Kindle-in-Mexico it's just the ordering that has to be done "in the US" for restricted items (such as Kindle 3 games). Once ordered with any computer using a VPN or US satellite network, it' should still be delivered to the Kindle in Mexico fine (if not, can be downloaded to the computer and transferred by the USB cable).

Rob

[Edited on 2012-5-9 by Riom]

LaPazGringo - 5-8-2012 at 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by LaPazGringo
I just don't think the Fire is as easy to read as the original Kindle. My 2 cents...

$200? The thing should be FREE! It's essentially a mobile Amazon store so they should be giving one to everybody who'll take one. When my wife talked to Amazon Support and told them how disappointed we were and that we'd be willing to just keep it if he thought they'd open Mexico up soon, he said there was no chance. I really thought it was slick to be able to be lying in bed with earphones and to be able to stream an HD movie for $2.99. Oh well!

[Edited on 5-9-2012 by LaPazGringo]

BajaBlanca - 5-8-2012 at 07:35 PM

can some of you name some of the freebee books you have gotten and read on kindle, please.

I have a new one and haven't quite figured it out yet... can't find free anything. but I am really uneducated when it comes to the mechanics of these gadgets.

Riom - 5-8-2012 at 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
can some of you name some of the freebee books you have gotten and read on kindle, please.

I find it easier to order new books from a computer. The Kindles themselves (both Keyboard and Fire) have been carefully designed to hide free books as much as possible, using them it's easy to think every book has to be paid for.

So, on a computer, one way is to go to
http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/154606011

This gives you the "most popular" paid and (in second column) free ebooks. The initial list is a list over all subjects (tends to be a bit heavy on "Romance" as that fits the main Kindle demographic!). But you can drill down to specific categories (and sub-categories) with the links on the left of that page. Each category has their own most popular list, with free books in the second column.

Some categories have very few free books though, depends what the authors have decided to do. Mystery/Detective has a lot of free books because they're used to promote a series (they hope you'll buy the rest). Reference has a lot less, because there's less cross-promotion. Some categories have mainly classics rather than new titles.

The available free books varies daily (each author can make their books free for a limited number of days per month, if they want). So there are websites that track the limited time promotions, and other ways to find what's new, but just scanning these lists should give you new books from time to time.

One other thing, check the page count on the free "books" before downloading - some are just short stories.

Rob

willyAirstream - 5-9-2012 at 06:02 AM

Another option is to get a tablet with 3g. From 200 - 400 bucks. Gives you easy access to kindle and others. Plus a tablet offers a zillion apps from gps to sketchbooks to memos. You can also synch it with your smart phone and computer. I m in mulege and have no problems DL ing from kindle, with out a virtual ip. Just plug and play.
Free books are everywhere from lib. Of congress, writers clubs etc.
Btw, tunnel bear is for any pc, not for 3g devices.
I m not using 3g on my Asus transformer tablet, just wifi.

With a case for your tablet, 20 bucks tops,you can shade your screen for viewing in bright sunshine, as well as turn up the screen brightness.

And nother advantage, tablets come with still and video cameras, audio recorders, internet radio , net flix, etc etc etc. The quality of the asus camera is amazing btw.

Downside - typing on screen, as l m doing now is a Pita.

[Edited on 5-9-2012 by willyAirstream]

Ateo - 5-9-2012 at 07:48 AM

Just buy an iPad and move on with life. :biggrin:

BajaBlanca - 5-9-2012 at 02:56 PM

Rob - very kind of you to post such a complete answer. Many thanks !

LaPazGringo - 5-10-2012 at 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ateo
Just buy an iPad and move on with life. :biggrin:

I'm just not "that guy" who'll sit on an iPad at the pool. That's fine for my wife, not me. I just ain't doin' it. Not yet anyway...

jbcoug - 5-12-2012 at 05:52 PM

Some of you have asked about getting free books on Kindle. What I have used with success is a subscription to a Free Kindle Blog by Michael Gallagher. It costs 99 cents a month to subscribe. Almost every day a blog is sent to your Kindle that lists books that are currently free. They may only stay free a day or two so I check it fairly often. Frequently I'll order two or three books in a day, so I've stockpiled up quite a list on my Kindle. If you find you don't like something, simply delete it, nothing lost. One thing I like is that it causes me to read some authors that I wouldn't have bought otherwise, but find out I enjoy. The daily blog also usually provides tips about how to better use your Kindle, things I never would have figured out on my own. Anyway, you can always cancel the subscription when you've loaded up your Kindle with freebies.

John

chuckie - 5-21-2012 at 02:48 PM

My Kindle now works again..I have the bottom of the line device..The customer service people at Amazon are awesome..Answers within minutes...Change the Country to Mexico, then restart..Problem solved, downloaded 14 free books today...

Just check out their "Kindle" page

thebajarunner - 5-21-2012 at 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
can some of you name some of the freebee books you have gotten and read on kindle, please.

I have a new one and haven't quite figured it out yet... can't find free anything. but I am really uneducated when it comes to the mechanics of these gadgets.

Not sure what your taste in books might be...
I like the Paul Levine books on the not so great attorney Jack Lassiter- that entire series has been free over the last month, as was his newest book "Illegal"

There was a free Michael Connelly last month.
Just finished reading the really good bio on Mickey Mantle- "The Last Kid"

All free.

I look at the "Top 100 free books" list every day. It changes, I am told three times a day. You see a book you want, and let it go by, tomorrow it is five bucks....
you snooze- you lose.

The list seems to be long on "Chick Books" so if that is your genre you are in luck...

tripledigitken - 5-21-2012 at 04:09 PM

Some free titles we downloaded recently;

Art of War

The Return of Sherlock Holmes

Faust

Theodore Roosevelt; an Autobiography

Paradise Lost

Kindle has some 8000+ free titles, just search "free books" within Kindle and scroll away. Good vehicle to go back and read the classics for free.

Ken

Santiago - 5-21-2012 at 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
i pretty sure the canadians have the sane problem...

Boy, ain't that the truth... :coolup:

DavidE - 5-21-2012 at 08:03 PM

I discovered why my NOOK seemingly went on the fritz. My finger was pressing too heavily on the screen. Takes just a whisper of pressure for it to respond. Love the weight issue and the adjustable font.

My fingers seem to be far too clumsy for a tablet. And I cannot plug in my USB wifi amplifier or could I? I have never looked closely at a tablet. With my bad eyes a sixteen inch screen isn't too large.

SFandH - 5-21-2012 at 08:19 PM

39,000 free books:

http://www.gutenberg.org/