| Talk to me like a 5 year old... WI-FI / 3G, I know not the difference |
 mrgrotey |
I looking at getting an ebook reader for my girlfriend and there are two version of the the one im looking at (Amazon Kindle) There's WI-FI version and a WI-FI + 3G version for more money. What exactly are the differences between the two services in general? Im not looking to get into a contract thats the thing. but is free WIFI only available in certain town centre areas and 3g is avaialble everywhere but you pay? is that it?
Is 3g proper internet and wifi just a simplified dumbed-down version?
I know, I should know what these are by now, but I dont.
Me needs a laymans terms explaination if you would be so kind.
Thanks peeps!
read 577 times
9/7/2010 4:52:48 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 4:52:48 PM)
|
| reeves1984 |
I'm confused
--
www.LemonGood.tv
www.simonreeves.com - freelance artist
twitter
read 569 times
9/7/2010 4:54:24 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 4:54:24 PM)
|
| Nik Clark |
They are just different methods of network connection, both are capable of using the ragular Internet, not dumbed down.
3G is simply a mobile (through the telephone network) connection (internet ).
Wi-FI is wifi. Like your home wireless network, etc.
3G will require a mobile data contract, I would think.
read 565 times
9/7/2010 4:55:15 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 4:55:50 PM)
|
| advance-software |
> but is free WIFI only available in certain town centre areas and 3g is avaialble everywhere but you pay? is that it?
Pretty much.
> Is 3g proper internet and wifi just a simplified dumbed-down version?
No, they're both regular internet.
read 563 times
9/7/2010 4:55:18 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:10:31 PM)
|
| Westcoast13 |
My understanding is that wifi will connect to a fixed point, ie your home wireless router, free wireless etc and 3g is like mobile phone internet. Although i am prepared to be corrected! :)
edit. Shit you guys are quick at the opportunity to talk to Mike like a kid. :)
My Turbosquid Area
read 561 times
9/7/2010 4:55:44 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 4:56:12 PM)
|
| mrgrotey |
Ah ok so with WIFI you use an already setup internet service i.e. home wireless router or a town's/service stations free wifi area, and with 3g its an additional internet service you pay for separately for that device.
Righto, If I get it ill just get the wifi version. Its only for searching for, and downloading new books onto it if out and about and wont be used that much.
Cheers lads
read 543 times
9/7/2010 5:06:10 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:06:10 PM)
|
| Stianbl |
Indeed. Wifi is just that: Wireless router. IF you got one at home, just connect to it. Same with hotspots. Some you have to pay for, but you find many unsecured wireless networks to connect to =)
3G you have to pay for, yes, but has more coverage if you're traveling. It all depends. I know for sure I use Wifi over 3G anytime, but if you are at a vacation with no wifi hotspots available, 3G is good to check mail and surf the net.
-
With all that said, Amazon has done something incredible I think.. Their Kindles are supported with FREE 3G..! Yeah.. FREE!
So, I'd go for the 3G option if you want better coverage. Then you can dll your books almost wherever you are in no time, and brows the net for free..
How they manage to get free 3G I do not know.. But it sure is unique. (taken, you dont pay anything to get it as you do with other mobile devices)
Looking at buying one of these myself, as they look sweet =)
read 531 times
9/7/2010 5:24:23 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:24:23 PM)
|
| Nik Clark |
Free 3G?
Nice.
read 527 times
9/7/2010 5:25:49 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:25:49 PM)
|
| Stianbl |
Yeah, I thought so too!
But how they actually pull that off I do not know. So thats a really good feature from Amazon =)
- - -
Global 3G Coverage
Travel the globe and still get books in under 60 seconds. Kindle uses GSM technology—the most popular mobile wireless standard - with wireless coverage in over 100 countries and territories, such as Australia, Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, Norway, Spain, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and many others. Stay in touch with news from home by having your newspaper and magazine subscriptions delivered wirelessly while you travel. See wireless coverage map for availability.
For U.S. customers traveling abroad, additional charges apply for wireless delivery of periodical subscriptions. For details, click here. To avoid any charges, you can always download items via your computer and transfer them to your Kindle using USB or a Wi-Fi connection.
- - -
No Monthly Wireless Bills or Annual Contracts
No monthly wireless bills or commitments. Amazon pays for Kindle's wireless connectivity so you won't see a monthly wireless bill. There is no wireless setup – you are ready to shop, purchase, and read right out of the box. See Wireless Terms and Conditions.
Your Kindle may use wireless connectivity to make other services available, such as wireless delivery of personal documents, which may require an additional charge. For more information, see Wireless Terms and Conditions.
- - -
Free Access at AT&T Hotspots
Enjoy free Wi-Fi access at AT&T hotspots across the U.S. for shopping and downloading Kindle content — no AT&T registration, sign-in, or password required.
- - -
And here you can see if you're area is covered with 3G access:
http://client0.cellmaps.com/viewer.html?cov=1
read 525 times
9/7/2010 5:26:59 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:29:12 PM)
|
| Coxy |
Hmm, are they offering you the 3G wireless dongle? I used to sell that in Toys R Us. It was a memory stick you plugged into your computer and it gave you wireless anywhere you went, but its connection was a bit tempermental related to where you were.
The set up we used to have for the mobile internet dongles like 3G was that you needed to pay roughly £15 a month for it. They made it out to sound like it was pay as you go, but really it was just smoke and mirrors for contract internet. So make sure they are not trying to get you into buying mobile internet you are then dedicated to paying regularly for. Most places these days have Wi-Fi, where i am even the buses have Wi-Fi, national express buses have it too out of memory.
www.grantcoxmedia.wordpress.com
read 519 times
9/7/2010 5:29:48 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:32:35 PM)
|
| STRAT |
http://threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/?mifi=1&ID=1184
i was going to buy one of these babys last Chrimble for around £40 intro price. a go anywhere mobile 3g receiver thingy. mi-fi. it tested out lovely, but the rolling contracts of a minimum of £15 per month weren't as good as they sounded.
SJLEWORTHY.COM
read 502 times
9/7/2010 5:40:30 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:40:30 PM)
|
| mrgrotey |
Ooo! didnt realise it was free 3g never noticed, ok Ill go for the 3g version then :) thanks for pointing that out.
read 495 times
9/7/2010 5:43:21 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:43:21 PM)
|
| Coxy |
Is it definately free 3G? or are they just marketing it as you don't need to pay for it to begin with (As its part of the bundle so no purchase cost), but then still need to pay monthly use costs? We used to sell laptop's with 'free' 3G internet thrown in, that then required montly installments.
www.grantcoxmedia.wordpress.com
read 483 times
9/7/2010 5:46:32 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:47:22 PM)
|
| BishBashRoss |
I think it's free. But you can only use it to buy books.
Maxing and Relaxing
read 480 times
9/7/2010 5:49:09 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:49:09 PM)
|
| mrgrotey |
Yeah seems its free. Period.
No monthly charges, no annual contracts.
read 473 times
9/7/2010 5:52:18 PM (last edit: 9/7/2010 5:52:18 PM)
|