Kindle 2 and iPhones in Europe: Do either of these work?

"I thought AT&T was the ONLY provider of iPhone..."

That is true, so all I can say is your salesman was misinformed. Get with AT&T and make sure you are signed up for International service. There's no additional monthly fee (unless you sign up for one of their plans) you just pay when you use it. In most European countries it's like $1.29 per minute for voice, more in some countries, and $0.50 for a text message. As discussed in the other post, the big money comes in if you use the data retrieval.

So the data function on an iPhone WILL WORK? (and it is just expensive?)

I think you all have convinced my to pack a laptop pc instead. There were still plenty of cafes for internet last time, but the trend was towards "hot-spots" and home use.

How about the Kindel? Can I download Rick Steves tour books as I decide where I will travel?

Tom,

Internet is evry expensive in Europe. Tmobile( thru thier EU parteners) which is cheaper than AT&T charges $10 per 1 KB.
Since you decide to take your laptop, I would use the free wi-fi's

I am very tempted to go as a ludite: with nothing that requires a plug or charger.

I have been taking photos of Europe since 1970 and do have time to look at the pictures I already have.

I am not so important people need to reach me via cell.

I do not music or video streaming into me every week of my life.

Having a PC could be very useful and save me money....but it is sooooo temping to leave anything electric back home. ( I survived 49+ years without an iPhone...perhap a few weeks wont kill me )

You cannot download to the Kindle "over the air" in Europe. Only in the USA. You can download to the knidle from a PC anywhere.

I have a Kindle and download what I need before I leave home.

BTW...only a few of Rick's books are available for the kindle. Mostly his "city" ones. No plans on their end to add any more. I asked.

Tom, I am assured by everyone that my iPhone 3G will work fine in Europe; guess I'll find out in about three weeks. My old cell phone worked, so can't see any reason why the iPhone wouldn't. I'm on at&t; are you with some other provider?

I thought AT&T was the ONLY provider of iPhone...when I purchased it the salesperson assumed me it WOULD NOT work in Europe.

I do not NEED a phone in Europe, but if there is service available I will take it for emergencies and for checking email via wi-fi. But, I don't want to carry it 3-4 weeks if it is uselss and risk losing a $499 phone.

Tom, you may have the right idea and leave the electric stuff home. The data retrieval function will work but is expensive. I will take my phone, but leave the data retrieval turned off. If I need to, supposedly the free Wi-fi at hotels, etc. won't cost anything to use, but I will go to an Internet cafe if need be before I would lug my laptop around.