Looking into getting a Kindle. I've been reading on various expat sites that they do work over here, but I'd like to know how: Amazon says that services to the UAE currently don't exist, but people are managing to get them to work.

I'm assuming that you download to the computer and transfer via USB?

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

whats a kindle? I thought it was a type of wood?

maybe they get it delivered to their home country and then get it posted to them, sorry cant help. I don't actually like them, prefer the good old fashioned hard back

They are a type of "electronic book" I believe they are here and presumably work, but don't take my word for it!!

Yes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...375590#archive

It works here, think the problem may be if you register it against a UAE credit card at amazon. I used a UK one against a UK address and no problems.
Kindle is wifi so when you by your e-book if you switch on the wifi it will download to the kindle direct. Think if you download to PC and use usb cable then you probably can download to any kindle any number of times.

Thanks for the info. Will use Aramex to ship so that won't be a prob, just worrying about downloading. The model without the 3G network is $50USD cheaper, just wondering if I need the model with the network or not.....anybody know?

I use the IRiver and have no problems getting books for it. Liked the Kindle but not the fact that it's restricted to Amazon for books.

That's really up to you. Do you want to use the 3G access or not?

Just out of interest, what books do you read on the iRiver you couldn't read on the Kindle?

Mainly DOC files, not many books in that format but it also allows me to read files I've created. Oh, and it allows JPEG and GIF files, again not hat I use it for them often.

Fair enough! The wife has a non-Kindle ebook reader that takes .doc files but she seems to convert everything to .pdf first anyway

The reason I was asking about 3G was to see if the books actually downloaded automatically here - if not, it's not worth the extra $$..

However I did call Amazon and for those reading this thread here's the skinny on what they told me: If one manages to get a Kindle in this country (even though their website says they currently do not offer services to the UAE, their 3G map says that they do), you would be able to purchase and download books to your kindle in the UAE. It doesn't matter where your credit card is registered, you would still be able to purchase and download a book.

I think I'll be placing my order today.....

If you want some free books for your e-reader, check out Project Guttenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

I can't download anything here. Have tried in Saudi, Egypt, Qatar.
Apparently there are license issues with the ME.
So while I am home, I download all the books I want to read the next few weeks. I love the Kindle and don't want to miss it anymore. Travelling is much easiere, only kindle not 5 kg of books. I take it too the beach, at the pool everywhere. Reading on it is really easy and not hard to the eye, like on the ipad.