Kindle UK
Now that Kindle UK has finally arrived, it's important to learn more about how everything works before you decide to buy a Kindle International
Also, if you want to read about the specifics of the actual device and how it works, go to the Kindle 3 Review for more.
Update: Amazon now sells the Kindle from Amazon UK starting at 111 pounds.
Content Selection
Kindle UK users have access to 320,000 ebooks from the Kindle Store, with 95,000 titles priced under $5.99 (3.75 GPB). The typical price for new release and bestseller ebooks is $11.99 to $13.99, VAT included. Hard-cover versions of these same books typically cost in the $20 to $30 range.
US and international newspaper and magazine subscriptions are available too. Here are five current Kindle UK-specific newspapers: The Economist
Like the US version, Kindle UK offers users the option to download content directly to the device using the free wireless that connects to Amazon's online store. And if you are somewhere that doesn't have a wireless signal, or if it's your preference, you can always download content to your computer and then transfer it to the device with a USB cable.
While Amazon offers a wide selection of titles, it's important to understand that a Kindle is a closed content device. You can't purchase ebooks from other major online sellers like with Sony Readers, with a few exceptions. Picking up the free wireless service, Amazon wants you to download books from them exclusively. And it's important to note that these ebooks are American versions.
The United Kingdom is the one place, however, where this may change the soonest. Amazon states that they are intending to set up the Amazon.co.uk website for a UK-centric Kindle store where you can purchase the device and books in sterling from there.
Also, you can find a number of websites listed on the free ebooks page that have free, non-DRM protected ebooks that will work on a Kindle just fine. For a comprehensive listing of content—ebooks, newspapers, and magazines—visit our dedicated Kindle eBooks Page.
Free 3G Wireless Downloads
The free wireless gives United Kingdom users access to Kindle's online store 24 hours a day. There are no monthly charges, contracts, or hidden wireless fees for using this service to download books.
In addition, Kindle International users outside the US can access Wikipedia with the free wireless, but access to the internet with Kindle's experimental web browser is limited to a few countries, and it is unavailable in the UK at this time because of current cellular bandwidth issues and increased wireless costs. This is also the reason for the hefty file-transfer charges.
Kindle UK Wireless Coverage Map
Total Cost of Kindle UK in Pounds
Until Amazon gets the UK site up and running with its own Kindle Store, all Kindle International orders and ebook purchases are in US currency. To get a better perspective of cost, here's a look at prices converted to pounds.
After various fees and shipping charges, expect the Kindle International to cost a total of £200 to £210* in the United Kingdom, and that doesn't include a cover, which costs an extra £19 or so. The device comes with a USB cable and a US power adapter. It seems the plug will work with UK voltage, but you'll need an adapter, or you can charge with the USB cable hooked up to your computer. A battery charge typically lasts two weeks.
*Total cost is an estimate of currency conversion rates and fees. Please let us know if you experience a different price and we'll update the numbers.
The best way to find the exact cost is to visit the Kindle International Product Page
eBook Formats and Conversions
This biggest knock on Kindle is that it isn't an open device and doesn't support a wide variety of ebook formats. However, there are a few options for getting around this for non-DRM files.
The Kindle will support AZW (Amazon's proprietary format) for protected files and PDF, TXT, PRC, and MOBI for unencrypted files. Amazon will convert these unencrypted files to their AZW format: PDF, HTML, DOC (Word), RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, MOBI, and PRC.
If you elect to have Amazon transfer your files directly to the device via Whispernet, you will be charged $.99 per megabyte. To avoid this charge, you can convert them yourself or simply have the files transferred to your free Kindle email account and then transfer the files over yourself using the USB cable.
You can elect to convert these files on your own with free conversion software like MobiPocket Creator and Calibre. With Calibre you can also convert unprotected EPUB ebooks downloaded from various sources like Google Books.
Kindle UK FAQ and Help
If you'd like more information about how the Kindle International works, here's a link to the official Kindle Help
