Androids, Kindle, 3g Help needed

[geoffb]

Im getting old, technology is really starting to confuse me....

We are off for our annual holiday soon (canaries) and I want to be able to read my emails whilst Im away.

Recently I was talking to a customer who was showing me his Kindle
that had 3g - he was showing me how it had worldwide coverage via the 3g all built into the price and although it was great for book he logged into google to view his emails and surf the net.

I was really impressed.....

I don't have a mobile phone contract, I use PAYG - I have a notebook with dongle that I use when on the road in the UK

So I thought I might buy one of these kindles.....

Ive suddenly seen tons of androids on ebay for around the £90 all saying they have 3g ....

My question (yes there is one !)

the 3g on androids etc i am presuming you need a contract to use it - the 3g isn't a free add on - but would need paying for the data transfer ....
and roaming abroad is really expensive !!


(wifi hot spots aren't often free in airports)

so Im thinking that the kindle that includes FREE 3g worldwide would be a fabulous idea

Am I on the right track, is 3g free on anything else - or only on the kindle...

any advice would be gratefully received !

 

[pete_m]

The free worldwide mobile coverage on the Kindle is a great deal, and you can certainly do some basic email and web browsing on it.

I don't know of any other device that does this. And yes, roaming data charges are horrific.

The other great thing about the Kindle is the battery life. It's not particularly powerful, and the screen takes very little energy to run. The upshot is that you'll get several days of use out of a Kindle, compared to about a day's use on the latest Android (or Apple) devices.

So the Kindle is great for travel: free Internet access and long battery life. In fact, I'm planning to get one for my girlfriend soon

 

[Deleted member 61074]

Everything you surmise is correct. The only thing to add is in the Canaries there is plenty of Internet access for 1€ ie hotel reception, amusement arcades cafes etc etc. I've kept in touch very easily using these, it helps you to enjoy your holiday more not having email available all the time!

 

[leemason]

Other than the Kindle 3G access abroad can be horrifically expensive. If you are going to Spain you can get a local SIM card like one of these: https://www.simyo.es/simyo/portal/store/select-data-priceplan. A lot of Spanish mobile phone shops will sell them and they are a lot cheaper than using a UK 3G SIM.

 

[crossdaz]

Am I on the right track, is 3g free on anything else - or only on the kindle...

Amazon did a bulk deal with the mobile operators so the cost is bundled into the book price.
I'm not aware of anything else that doesn't charge.