we are debating buying one before we leave--mostly for our kids to be able to have english language books at the ready--but I've been told that the technology can be dicey in italy. any experiences with using either the kindle or the nook in florence? thanks for your help!
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I've been using Kindles in Italy for four years -- first one was the first generation. I bought the books online on my computer, downloaded them and transferred to Kindle. Now I have a Kindle 3G and can buy books directly from the Kindle. No problems whatsoever.
MAM - did you buy yours in Italy or somewhere else? I wanted to buy one in the States before we moved again, but was worried about charging it, etc. I still plan on buying one here sometime soon. Is the 3G better than the basic one?
I have a Kindle account in the US, so I buy them there. There are three kinds of KIndles -- basic, 3G and then the new Fire. I didn't get Fire because it is a bit heavy to hold in my opinion. I wanted the 3G so I could buy books while traveling just about anywhere, without the aid of a computer. With the basic, if you are not physically in the country where the Kindle is registered, then you must buy on a computer, download and transfer -- at least that's the way it was when I bought my first basic Kindle. Maybe the rules have changed, but if so, I am not aware of it. If you have any doubts about anything, their customer service is pretty accessible and could ask.
thanks for the info. we're leaving next week, so we should probably make a decision soon!
I'm not sure who your source is amandal, but they have very fast internet and wi-fi here...I have no problems at all with my Italian bought Kindle. If you are going to be using your US credit card and address to buy books though you will have to buy through .com so yes, you will need to get it before you go. For .it you need an Italian credit card and address. I don't have the 3G, I don't see the need, I just make sure I have a lot of books already on it before I travel.
http://alyson-lifeinthecityofflowers.blogspot.com http://antonialong.blogspot.com
I don't think they had internet issues, but she said there were difficulties downloading in Florence. this was a few years ago--these issues may be cleared up, or it may be a question of either the download or transfer aspects of the book purchases. that's why I thought I'd ask. If everyone else said there were no problems, then great. if others reported problems, then maybe I'd reconsider buying one.
I have had, actually still have the first and second generation Kindles, plus the Fire. Although I don't live in Florence, I've never had a problem downloading books anywhere in Italy.
http://Betweenthemountainsandthesea.blogspot.com/
This question has been sort of implicitly answered, but I'd appreciate a for-dummies clarification: as someone who has only an Italian billing-address credit card, would I be required to buy kindle books only from a European Amazon site (or only the Italian one), say? Or are any limitations linked to where the reader was purchased (and not how download are paid for)? That is, what, if anything, governs future content selection (or is it always wide open)?
I suppose prices are different from US to UK to IT sites and that Amazon would try to maintain some kind of control.
I can easily imagine having someone buy a kindle on my behalf in the US, if it is the device that makes a difference, but buying books would always be on my Italian cc.
And once an e-book is purchased, do you keep backup files on your computer, or if you lose (or break) the reader, do you start from scratch? Or does Amazon know you've bought it and let you download it again for free? (I was listening to a podcast in which someone said how convenient it is that Amazon keeps track of where you've highlighted or bookmarked things, so that you can continue reading even from a different device. Sounds a little big-brothery to me.)
thanks!
I can't answer all of your questions, but one thing is for sure. Once you purchase a book from Kindle, you have a library on your Amazon account, and the books are there for good. You can download/transfer them to your device as many times as you want. If you buy a new kindle on the same account, you can download/transfer your old books to the new Kindle, too.
I don't know how buying a Kindle in Italy or the UK works as I have never done it and I don't know if it works the same way as buying one in the US and using a US bank account for purchases. I suggest you talk to them directly or get the info from the appropriate Amazon site.
It's the credit card that controls where you buy your content, not the device. In order to buy eBooks from amazon.com, you must have a US card with a US billing address, the same for Amazon.UK. If you want the far greater selection of books on .com, compared to Amazon.it, it might be worth your while to get a US debit card, or maybe a pre-paid credit card.
Once you purchase a book, it is kept forever in your Amazon library, so you can always download it again if you lose or replace your Kindle or want to put your books on a different device. I have my books on my Kindle(s), my iPhone and my computer. The reason Amazon keeps track of where you are in your books is because your devices automatically sync with each other. Nothing big brotherish about it.
http://Betweenthemountainsandthesea.blogspot.com/
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