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Krakato · 29-01-2012, 08:08

Is anyone out there using a Kindle e-reader in the Caribbean? If so, do you have any trouble getting new books over a wireless connection? My wife is concerned that Amazon will not sale e-books to you if they detect you are connected to the internet via some Caribbean countries.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

colemj · 29-01-2012, 08:11

No problems for us throughout the Eastern Caribe to Panama. I think Amazon keys more off your physical home address than what they can perceive as your IP address. If there are problems, you can always route through a US IP address.

Mark

Krakato · 29-01-2012, 09:57

Thanks Mark! That should go a long way to alleviating her fears.

Cheers,
Mike

H.S.Hemingway · 29-01-2012, 10:19

actually Amazon has contracts with mobile-internet providers almost worldwide to deliver the books via the Amazon Whispernet.
All books bought in the Kindle store should be a free download via 3G (or slower connection depending on location).

But if you have set up some subscriptions like magazines and newspapers or forwarding like Instapaper, Amazon will charge you for the use of the 3G network outside the US.

Here's a link, read it carefully and you should be ok!

and here is the coverage map for the Whispernet worldwide and US

**Hud3** · 29-01-2012, 10:21

We don't have any problems downloading books over the Internet and our local WiFi network here on Nevis. Every now and then a message will pop up telling me a particular book can't be sold to me in my location, but I'm given the option to change my location to the U.S., and the book magically becomes available. Our billing address with Amazon.com is in Florida, which helps, I assume.

Canibul · 29-01-2012, 10:25

we live on Providenciales TCI full time, and have had two second gen Kindles for two years now. La Gringa just bought an additional Kindlefire, in fact. She doesn't like the Kindle fire, but there's been no problems buying books

Krakato · 29-01-2012, 12:35

Thanks for all the info folks! The wife says she is feeling better about it already!

sck5 · 29-01-2012, 17:54

we cruised from BVI to the Grenadines and back last season and had no problem - You can also download to your computer and then transfer to the kindle.

Zanshin · 30-01-2012, 06:22

I am in St. Martin right now and finally got around to using my Kindle (bought and registered in the USA) for the first time yesterday; I downloaded 150 books in total without a hitch.
I had two friends over a while back who both read their Kindles all the time while aboard and it certainly looked as comfortable and legible as an olde fashioned paper book.
I'm going to stick with my hardcover classics aboard (Britannica's "Great Books") but for the rest I might make the digital switch.

Canibul · 30-01-2012, 06:28

think about being able to carry 3500 books on board, in one hand.
you will never be missing a page ruined in the wind or ripped out.

There surely must be a weight advantage...not to mention stowage, and as far as I can tell, cockroaches won't swim three miles to eat a Kindle.

the downside, so far, is that kindle corners can't clean your fingernails very well and I imagine they make lousy toilet paper in an emergency.

mbianka · 30-01-2012, 07:14

Just used my Kindle to do some Google searches while anchored off Culebra. Worked fine for me.

Canibul · 30-01-2012, 07:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbianka

Just used my Kindle to do some Google searches while anchored off Culebra. Worked fine for me.

Just curious, but do you know if you can pick up Verizon there?

Hannah on 'Rita T' · 30-01-2012, 08:26

Verizon doesn't work in the USVirgins, AT&T does.

Canibul · 30-01-2012, 09:32

So to maintain internet, do you use Batelco ( or whatever they call themselves these days) down thru the Bahamas, and then pick up AT&T as you approach Puerto Rico?

Whoops. Sorry. Should be another thread probably.