Amazon Kindle Can You Surf The Web?

[Doctor_Varney]

I'm really into getting the Kindle reader (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002Y27P46/?tag=googhydr-21&hvadid=6827060206&ref=pd_sl_8vyaot5h0k_e). It will be perfect for reading in bed, as my partner doesn't like the light on at night. It will mean I will read more.

It says it has wi-fi and we're about to get a router for my GF's laptop anyway. I am learning CSS plus there are a lot of useful web-articles on other subjects I am interested in and it would be really helpful if I could read websites, as well as books, while I'm not at the computer.

I don't understand what's written here...
Supports public and private Wi-Fi networks or hotspots that use the 802.11b or 802.11g standard with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 security using password authentication; does not connect to WPA and WPA2 secured networks using 802.1X authentication methods; does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks.

What I want to know is will I be able to look at web-pages on it? Or will it only show the special books created for it?

I'm not going to use it outside the house. Just in different parts of the house. Well, maybe in the garden, sometimes.

Cheers

Dr. V

[oracleguy]

That blerb about the wifi means that it will only connect to a wireless access point, it can't use an ad-hoc wireless network. If you are unfamiliar with ad-hoc networks, one of the most common uses for them is if you had several laptops near each other and no wireless access point. The computers can all communicate directly if set in ad-hoc mode.

The thing about the 802.1X authentication methods means it doesn't support using centralized key management and stuff like that. Pretty much all of that is enterprise grade stuff. You can still use WPA-PSK though; the PSK part stands for pre-shared key, meaning a password. The Kindle will work with any home router/access point you can buy.

I don't know if it has a general purpose web browser on it. Though I don't think you can read it well without a light on, the device isn't backlit or anything.

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

An iPad might be more of what you need. It does have a glare on it that the kindle doesn't have but you can get screen protectors that reduce that glare. It will be able to browse the internet with Safari, you can read ebooks and use other apps as well. The only downside is it is about 4 times the cost of a kindle right now. Or if you can wait, maybe get the BlackBerry PlayBook (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaez_4m9mQ)?

[Apostropartheid]

I didn't know the Kindle has a backlight; I thought that was the entire point of the Kindle?

[Spookster]

I bought my wife one those Nooks and she can surf the web because it includes a web browser. But like the rest it is not backlit so you would still need a light on in bed to read.

[oracleguy]

I didn't know the Kindle has a backlight; I thought that was the entire point of the Kindle?
No, it has that e-Paper screen or whatever they call it. Unless you press a button or do something to change what is on the screen, once the text is on the screen, it uses no power. So the battery life is extremely good and you can even use it outside in the sunlight without glare problems.

[Doctor_Varney]

I got interested because of the price. I wouldn't consider an i-pad, for that very reason. Plus, the small size of the Kindle appeals, whereas the i-pad is significantly larger. (The average i-pad is going to be literally covered with fingerprints by now!).

So the Kindle - wouldn't be much use without the backlight. The whole point is to have a reader I can use in the dark! Otherwise, I might as well buy books.

But then, I suppose I'd have to reassess the battery life...

I also asked if you can surf normal web pages on it. Is that possible with the Kindle? I want to be able to include web articles in my bedtime reading.

Or maybe the Blackberry? Maybe by now, I could get a second hand one. I don't know much about this gear because I don't own a mobile phone, so no reason to go into it before.

V

[_Aerospace_Eng_]

I'm not sure how well the kindle will display a web page. You can always google "Web page on Kindle". A lot of results will show up. The link I posted about the playbook isn't a phone. It is like the iPad and some what like the Kindle but more like the iPad but I'm not sure how much it will cost. I think the browser right now for the Kindle is experimental. Also most of the navigation would need to be done with the keyboard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF0hDoJqkIk

The internet is at your fingertips, use it.

[Doctor_Varney]

That link was pretty good, Aero. Thanks. I'd be happy to surf with 'styles off' if it will just call up any page (makes you appreciate CSS!). All I'm after is the text, so I can read the hundreds of online articles about web-publishing, cosmology, science fiction, etc... The point is, if I read something like Bon-Rouge in front of the PC, I get a stiff neck etc. If you read something just before going to sleep, it sinks in!

Dr. V