Paperwhite regional FW differences?

skyhopper · 06-29-2015, 08:13 AM

Hi All,

A short introduction before I ask my question:

In the past I always read books on my iPad but I decided it was time to finally buy an e-reader with an e-ink display.

I definitely want the new Kindle Paperwhite 3. Because I believe it's the sweet spot between price, quality and features.
The only problem I have is that the e-reader isn't available in my country. I live in Belgium. I can purchase the reader from amazon.com but that would mean I have to pay an additional $60 for shipping and fees and I can only buy the reader without the adds. So I'm looking at a price tag of $200.

Another option is to make use of a service in Germany that fixes a German address for me. I buy the KPW3 from Amazon.de and let it deliver to this address. After it arrives they will forward the package to Belgium.

So here's my question:
Is the firmware the same on all KPW's? Or can I expect a altered firmware for the German market? I prefer a device that's 100% English.

pdurrant · 06-29-2015, 08:29 AM

All PW3s will have the same firmware.

eschwartz · 06-30-2015, 12:27 AM

To elaborate -- any particular Kindle model* will use the same firmware, no matter where the device was delivered from or to.

However, depending on which country's storefront your account is registered to, certain features *may* be enabled/disabled -- at times, certain features were e.g. exclusively for people with U.S. accounts. Take goodreads integration for example.

* -- circa K3 I believe there were "international" devices that at the very least required their own version of the firmware updates. But even then they had the same features -- so it may just have been hardware compatibility, possibly to do with the 3G?

skyhopper · 06-30-2015, 03:27 AM

Thank you both for the answers.
Ordered it and I'm very excited to get it in my hands.

I did not buy the 3G model and I'm not planning on using social media. I am just going to use it to read books.

The e-reader will be delivered at the German mailbox service on thursday. After that it will take another 3 days before it arrives at my doorstep.

HarryT · 06-30-2015, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

circa K3 I believe there were "international" devices that at the very least required their own version of the firmware updates. But even then they had the same features -- so it may just have been hardware compatibility, possibly to do with the 3G?

It was the Kindle DX; there was a US-only model with a US-only CDMA-based 3G radio. This was replaced by an "International" model which used a GSM radio.

eschwartz · 06-30-2015, 07:56 AM

Knew it was something like that. Before my time though.

pdurrant · 06-30-2015, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It was the Kindle DX; there was a US-only model with a US-only CDMA-based 3G radio. This was replaced by an "International" model which used a GSM radio.

Also the Kindle 2. There was a separate international model. I don't think there was ever an international model of the original Kindle.

HarryT · 06-30-2015, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Also the Kindle 2. There was a separate international model. I don't think there was ever an international model of the original Kindle.

That makes sense, because the DX is essentially a Kindle 2 with a larger screen.

06-29-2015, 08:13 AM	#1
skyhopper Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 3018 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Belgium Device: Kindle PW3	Paperwhite regional FW differences? Hi All, A short introduction before I ask my question: In the past I always read books on my iPad but I decided it was time to finally buy an e-reader with an e-ink display. I definitely want the new Kindle Paperwhite 3. Because I believe it's the sweet spot between price, quality and features. The only problem I have is that the e-reader isn't available in my country. I live in Belgium. I can purchase the reader from amazon.com but that would mean I have to pay an additional $60 for shipping and fees and I can only buy the reader without the adds. So I'm looking at a price tag of $200. Another option is to make use of a service in Germany that fixes a German address for me. I buy the KPW3 from Amazon.de and let it deliver to this address. After it arrives they will forward the package to Belgium. So here's my question: Is the firmware the same on all KPW's? Or can I expect a altered firmware for the German market? I prefer a device that's 100% English. Last edited by skyhopper; 06-29-2015 at 08:16 AM.

06-30-2015, 12:27 AM	#3
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	To elaborate -- any particular Kindle model* will use the same firmware, no matter where the device was delivered from or to. However, depending on which country's storefront your account is registered to, certain features may be enabled/disabled -- at times, certain features were e.g. exclusively for people with U.S. accounts. Take goodreads integration for example. * -- circa K3 I believe there were "international" devices that at the very least required their own version of the firmware updates. But even then they had the same features -- so it may just have been hardware compatibility, possibly to do with the 3G? Last edited by eschwartz; 06-30-2015 at 12:30 AM.

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06-29-2015, 08:29 AM	#2
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 71,529 Karma: 306214458 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Voyage	All PW3s will have the same firmware.

06-30-2015, 03:27 AM	#4
skyhopper Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 3018 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Belgium Device: Kindle PW3	Thank you both for the answers. Ordered it and I'm very excited to get it in my hands. I did not buy the 3G model and I'm not planning on using social media. I am just going to use it to read books. The e-reader will be delivered at the German mailbox service on thursday. After that it will take another 3 days before it arrives at my doorstep.

06-30-2015, 07:56 AM	#6
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Knew it was something like that. Before my time though.

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