Mossberg’s Mailbox
Cookies, Android Phones and Using a Kindle in Japan
Q:
Is there ever a reason I would want to accept browser cookies?
A:
Yes. All cookies aren’t the same. Even if you don’t want to accept so-called “tracking cookies” from advertisers, traffic analysis firms or other third parties, you may want to allow cookies that come directly from the Web site you’re visiting. Sometimes called “first-party” cookies, these can allow you to automate logging into the site, set your preferences for the site and permit the site to remember your favorite stocks, teams, cities and the like. Your browser should have a setting that allows you to distinguish between these types of cookies.
Q:
Is there an Android phone out there that is able to make phone calls on a Wi-Fi system if needed? I’m looking to switch from my BlackBerry.
A:
Yes, there are multiple Internet phone-calling apps for Google’s Android cellphone operating system. However, you should check to see that whatever phone model you buy can run on your favorite Internet phone app. For instance, Skype’s Web site says its Android app only runs on phones sold by Verizon. Also, some of these calling apps require certain versions of the Android OS.
Q:
My daughter is graduating from college and will be living in Japan for a year. She’d like a digital book reader. Will the Kindle allow her to download English books from Japan?
A:
Amazon.com says its Kindle device will work in Japan, including allowing users to purchase books wirelessly there.
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