Whispernet

Kindle (Global Wireless) users living outside of the U.S. can transfer personal files to their Kindle for a charge of $0.99 USD per megabyte. You can send unprotected Microsoft Word, PDF, HTML, TXT, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PRC and MOBI files to your Kindle e-mail address. Wireless coverage is available in over 100 countries outside of the U.S. Whispernet service is free if documents are transferred to the Kindle using a USB connection. Just send any documents you want converted to “name”@free.kindle.com. Whispernet will convert the files and send them to your unique Kindle e-mail address for free. The files can then be transferred to your Kindle via USB.

U.S. customers using their Kindle outside of the U.S. retain the option to download their books wirelessly to their Kindle for a fee. Amazon charges $1.99 per book or individual magazine or newspaper download from either your Archived Items or the Kindle Store. To receive all of your newspaper, magazine, and blog subscriptions costs $4.99 per week. There is no charge to transfer content from your library or from the Amazon Store if you upload the book on your Kindle via USB cable. If purchasing content from the Amazon Store, select on the product detail page “Transfer via Computer” from the Deliver to: pull-down menu. The content will download to your computer, and you can then transfer it to your Kindle via USB. To access archived books in your Kindle library, visit the Manage Your Kindle Page, find the content you wish to transfer in the “Your Orders” section, and choose “Transfer via Computer” from the Deliver to: pull-down menu. The item will download to your computer and again you can transfer it for free to your Kindle via USB.

Whispernet wireless coverage will vary depending on whether you own a Kindle (U.S. Wireless Coverage) or a Kindle (Global Coverage). Whispernet service is available in more than 100 countries outside of the U.S., but it is recommended that you check the wireless coverage map on Amazon’s website to see in more detail where Whispernet is accessible. While book download times typically average 60 seconds or less, download times can vary based on 3G or EDGE/GPRS coverage, signal strength and file size.

As a note, the experimental web browser available on the latest U.S. editions of the Kindle is currently available only for some customers outside of the U.S.

Shopping the Kindle Store

The availability and price of titles in the Kindle Store varies depending on the country in which you are using the device. Most titles offered through the store are English-language. There is also an extensive selection of U.S. and international magazines and newspapers, priced in U.S. dollars. Some newspapers and magazine may not appear with certain images, tables, or graphs. Non-U.S. customers cannot currently subscribe to blogs on the Kindle.

The Kindle Store accepts most major credit and debit cards. Because all products are priced in U.S. dollars, check with your bank or credit card company to learn about any possible foreign conversion fees.

When you shop the Kindle Store, your country or region will be displayed at the top of the screen. This ensures you are viewing the titles available for your country at the correct price. If the country displayed is incorrect, you can change your home address and country. Visit Amazon’s Manage Your Kindle page, find the “Your Country” section, then click edit to change your country. You can choose an address that already exists in your Amazon account or you can enter a new address. Simply click the “Update” button when you have entered the correct information.

Buying a Kindle

If you reside outside of the U.S. and wish to purchase a Kindle, first click on the link in the “Live Outside the U.S.?” box located on the product detail page. When you select your country, you can view a wireless coverage map and learn about the number of titles available, the price range of titles, and whether tax is included, specific to your country.

Most accounts established with Amazon’s non-U.S. Sites will be recognized by Amazon.com, and you will be able to simply enter your e-mail address and password to start the purchasing process. Just like for products in the Kindle Store, the Kindle and Kindle DX are priced in U.S. dollars. Check with your bank or credit card company to learn about any possible foreign conversion fees. You should be able to see payment methods you have used in the past when you are signed into your existing Amazon account.

Amazon ships all Kindles to international destinations using Priority Courier. To determine the cost of delivery to your country, visit the International Shipping page on Amazon and select your country from the Shipping Rates and Times by Geographical Region section. As for import taxes and fees, check whether you country is included in Amazon’s Global Program. A list of countries included in the Global Program can be found on Amazon’s International Shipping page. If your country is a part of the program, then Amazon estimates and collects import fees at checkout. If your country is not a participant, then you will be responsible for any associated fees or taxes upon receipt of the Kindle.

Charging the Kindle

The Kindle ships from Amazon to most countries equipped with a U.S. power adapter and a Kindle micro-USB cable. You have the option of charging your Kindle using the USB cable attached to your computer or you can use the U.S. power adapter with a third-party adapter plugged into your local power outlet. You will know when the Kindle is fully charged, because the light next to the USB socket will change from yellow to green.

Amazon recommends charging your Kindle using the USB cord provided. To charge your Kindle using this method, connect your Kindle directly to your computer’s USB port, making sure your computer is plugged into a power outlet. Your computer must remain on during the charging process, so disable the standby, hibernate, or sleep mode to ensure it remains active. If your Kindle is charging, you should see the USB drive mode screen on your computer. Charging generally takes from four to six hours to complete. A single battery charge typically lasts for up to one week with wireless enabled and up to two weeks with wireless turned off.

Note: Kindles shipped to Australia do not include the U.S.-compatible power adapter.

Kindle Applications

Amazon currently offers the Kindle for PC and the Kindle for iPhone applications to international customers. The company hopes to make the Kindle for BlackBerry and the Kindle for Mac available to international customers in the future. Check on Amazon’s website for updates.

Warranty information for the Kindle

If you order your Kindle outside of the United States, your device will be covered by the Kindle Limited Warranty. An extended warranty is not currently offered by Amazon for Kindles purchased by customers living outside of the United States.

International Support Materials

Visit Amazon’s Help page to download User’s Guides and License Agreement and Terms of Use, Warranty, Safety Information for the Kindle and the Kindle DX. The License Agreement is available in 18 different languages and the User’s Guide is in 4 different languages.