In your case, I think you shall turn off data roaming in your iPhone (“Settings” / “General ” / “Network”) and turn on Wi-Fi in hotspot areas to download books and synchronize. Not very convenient but better than paying the expensive roaming fee.

My two cents and hope it helps.

I am a US based customer preparing to travel to Europe. I understand the Kindle part, but have a question about the iPhone Kindle app and any international data roaming charges that would be associated with whispersync: Do I have to activate international data roaming on my iPhone to get this to work? Do the outrageous international data roaming fees apply?

Glad you found the information useful. The main thing you cannot do with the Whispernet turned off (you need to do that anyway, in Singapore) are: 1 – no more WhisperSync among Kindle, Kindle for iPhone and Kindle for PC; 2 – you cannot do shopping with your Kindle (that’s not an issue since you can always do it with your PC); 3 – you cannot upgrade the firmware automatically (you can do it manually though); 4 – you cannot get the other documents via Whispernet (e.g. you can send an PDF to your Kindle wirelessly; but again you can do it with USB cable …).

I think that’s about it. Hope it helps.

Given that I prefer to avoid the Whispernet charges / get wider selection of & cheaper Kindle ebooks, I’ll buy US Kindle ebooks via Internet using computer and then transfer them to the Kindle 2 International. So, do I lose any feature (or anything that I can’t do) with the Kindle 2 International if I were not doing the second registration (i.e. registering the hardware device)?

Btw, your blog is really good…and the information that you have provided is invaluable. Thanks again.

That’s always the confusing part … there are two registrations. The first one is tie your Kindle to your Amazon account “logically”, when you bought your Amazon, this registration should have been done (unless you bought it as a gift). That registration allows you to buy books for the Kindle.

The second registration is to register the hardware device to Amazon, and you can do it only with the Kindle (with wireless turn on) and Whispernet. And in your case, since Whispernet is not yet available in Singapore, you need to do it when you back in HK.

Hope it helps.

I tried your other method of buying Kindle ebook (US version) without hiding the IP address. It didn’t work (maybe because I don’t have a credit card with US postal address).

My Kindle 2 International is being shipped to Singapore. Do we still need to register it via Whispernet or it was automatically registered under my account when Amazon shipped it out?

Thanks
Andy

Hope the followings answer your questions:

1. I assume you already have an Amazon account with US address, otherwise you will not able to buy US books at all. And other than “Hotspot Shield”, there is another method (I tried) that can buy US books, please check my other blog post (http://www.michaelyung.com/blog/book/2009/11/01/buying-us-kindle-books-without-hiding-ip-address/). In any case, yes you shall use the Transfer via computer option to transfer the book to your Kindle International, as I am still not sure whether Amazon will charge the US$ 2 charge if you do it wirelessly. On the other hand, Kindle for PC utilize the PC Internet connection and Kindle for iPhone utilize the phone network; both will not charge extra.

2. I have not tried it, but it is possible according to the fine print in Amazon website.

3. No you cannot do that, as the wireless connect is built into the Kindle and don’t require (your) SIM card at all. Not until Amazon strike a deal with Telco in Singapore, you cannot do that.

4. If you can buy the books successfully, and transfer the books via USB. No you don’t need to pay extra charges.

Hope it helps and enjoy !!

Check out here for other related posts http://www.michaelyung.com/blog/services-and-products/2009/06/27/kindle-posts/

I have a few questions and hope that you can help.

I’m from Hong Kong but currently working in Singapore most of the time. I’m getting a Kindle 2 International so that I can read while I’m traveling. So, I’m a newbie for Kindle. Here are my questions:

1. If I were to use “Hotspot Shield” to hire my IP, I would be able to buy the US version of Kindle ebooks (usually cheaper). Do I have to use the option “Transfer via computer” and then sync to Kindle 2 International using USB? How about synchronizing the ebooks to Kindle iPhone and Kindle for PC? Is there any linkage between Kindle for PC and Kindle 2 International?

2. If I were to sync the purchased Kindle ebook (US version) to my Kindle 2 International via Whispernet in Hong Kong, do I need to pay additional communication charges for that?

3. Whispernet has not yet covered Singapore (for now at least). I do have a Singapore mobile SIM card with 3G. If I were to sync the purchased Kindle ebooks (US version) to my Kindle 2 International via a local 3G mobile network in Singapore, can I do that? If so, do I need to pay additional communication charges to Amazon for that?

4. Actually, I’m rather confused about the situation that I will need to pay Amazon for additional Whispernet charges. Assuming that I purchase all the Kindle ebooks (US version) by hiding my IP address. Any scenario that I’ll need to pay Amazon for additional charges?

Sorry for the many questions. Appreciate your help in advance. Thanks.

Andy