Kindle Review – Kindle 2 Review, Books

A comparison that is coming up quite often is Kindle US Vs Kindle International. The new Kindle US & International Wireless works all over the world and people are wondering whether it’s a better choice than the standard Kindle 2.

In this post we’ll look at which Kindle makes more sense for you. You could also check the Kindle 2 International Review post for a review (as opposed to this comparison) and a list of countries that support international kindle whispernet.  

Kindle US Vs Kindle International - All about International WhisperNet

The two Kindles are not different in ANY way except for the International WhisperNet. In particular -

1. The international kindle uses AT&T’s network, has a HSDPA wireless modem using GSM technology, and has WhisperNet capabilities all over the world.
2. The US Kindle uses Sprint’s EVDO network and has a wireless modem which cannot work with international GSM networks.

In every other way they are the exact same device.

Kindle US Vs Kindle International - Areas International Kindle Wins 

The International WhisperNet is the International Kindle’s main advantage over the US Kindle. International Kindle Owners get -

1. Access to the Kindle Store in 81 countries - Here’s a list of International Kindle Wireless countries and here’s the International Whispernet Wireless Coverage Map.
2. Access to your Archive in these countries i.e. ability to download any of your previous purchases. See Roaming Charges for more.
3. Ability to Change Your Home Country if you move to live in another Whispernet Country. See section below on Home Country for more.
4. In 3 countries, Mexico, Hong Kong and Japan, you get Free Internet and an in-built Browser.

It’s worth nothing that as Amazon extends its wireless agreements WhisperNet will probably extend to more and more countries.

Kindle Roaming Charge

The main disadvantage of International Whispernet is the roaming charge when you are outside your home country –   

• Books bought when you are outside of your Home Country cost an extra $1.99.
• Books re-downloaded outside of your Home Country also cost $1.99 per download.
• $4.99 per week for getting newspapers, blogs or magazines delivered via WhisperNet.  
• $1.99 per issue for an individual newspaper or magazine.
• $.99 per MB for getting a personal document.

Amazon has not specified if non-US Kindle owners will have to pay this charge when they travel to the US.   

Home Country

Thanks to Pierre for this information.

1. For the International Kindle you can go to the Manage Your Kindle section and set a Home Country.
2. In that country purchases and archive downloads are not charged $1.99.
3. You can change your Home Country.
4. There’s probably a rule that allows for permanent moves and moves of a few months or longer.
5. On the other hand changing your home country every 2-3 days is probably not allowed.

4. and 5. are guesses. Please check with Kindle Customer Service.

Kindle US VS Kindle International – Advantages of Kindle US

There are three main advantages -

1. The $20 lower price.  
2. In the US Sprint’s Network is much better and faster than AT&T.
3. No accidental roaming charges when outside of the US.

International Whispernet is not that big of a deal if you’re in the US most of the time 

While International WhisperNet is a great feature, its worth noting that International WhisperNet is very limited i.e.  

• The roaming Charges make it rather unattractive.
• Only 3 countries have free Internet access (Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong).
• Several huge countries (China, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, etc.) are still excluded.  

Most people are going to end up using a PC to download their books when they are roaming and will then transfer their books to the Kindle. You can do that with the US Kindle too. Plus there’s no Free Internet (except in three countries) so most of the benefits of US WhisperNet are missing internationally.

Kindle International Vs Kindle US – Recommendations

Here are my recommendations for whether you should get Kindle 2 US Wireless or Kindle 2 US & International Wireless based on your situation -

Live in the US 

1. Never leave the US – Kindle 2 US.
2. Travel rarely and cannot afford the charges – Kindle 2 US.
3. Travel rarely and can afford the charges (or can expense them) – Kindle International.
4. Travel a lot and can afford the charges – Get the International Kindle.
5. Travel a lot and cannot afford the charges – Still get the International Kindle.
6. Thinking of moving to a non-US country – Kindle International.  

Live outside the US

Always get a Kindle International. You might not have WhisperNet in your country or you might not like the charges. However, things change – this is just Version 1 of the service.

Closing Thoughts

Kindle US vs International Kindle is a straightforward decision. The difference is not very compelling – However, if you travel a lot or live outside the US the Kindle International is the one to go with. Mostly because International Kindle Service and capabilities will evolve and improve with time.