Amazon Kindle Scribe (16 GB) - Now write directly on books and documents. With built-in notebook summarization. A Kindle and notebook, all in one. Includes Basic Pen

Reviews

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Review AI Summary

• 

  Keith D.

  

  Dec 27, 2022

  I ordered this one as soon as it was announced and hadn't really realized how short on functionality it was going to ship with, but I'm still extremely happy with it so far. First up, it's a very nice Kindle device and is amazing for reading my books on. I adore the screen on it, and it's very snappy and responsive to navigate and write on. The screen size is also wonderful for reading on for my nearly 50 year old eyes that have somehow slipped into reminding me of my age by needing multi-focal lenses. One thing on this front that I miss from my Oasis is the buttons on the margin for page flipping. Those are nice on that device, although I don't hate that they're missing from this one, I just kind of wish they were there. Another thing I'm a little annoyed with is no 4G or 5G built in. I'll live without it and tethering isn't hard these days, but it's an annoyance that didn't need to exist on at least the top end models. I love the writing experience on the device, too. It's not smooth as glass like my iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil, it's much more like writing on paper. But it has a similar quick response to writing input that makes it feel pretty natural and not artificial or annoying, so Amazon have worked that part out well. The functionality is very basic at this point, which is probably the most negative aspect of the device. But it's actually SO basic that I have few doubts that this isn't in the pipeline to be addressed in software updates over the next several months. I would suggest not gambling on that if the cost is prohibitive to you because you should always make your purchase decisions on what you actually get when you buy, and not based on future promises or a naive belief that what you want will be delivered at any point. I can afford to live with my device as is, and it'll still meet the needs of why I bought it, just not optimally, if they don't add what I consider the missing functionality to it. That's not going to be true for everyone. The hardware they've used does support everything needed for all the additional features that I suspect Amazon is planning to add, if they've fully implemented it in the hardware, and at this price point, I believe they have, but I don't know it for sure. Things I think it's missing are: Pressure sensitivity for the pen A wider array of writing tools (drawing tools primarily) Stroke based storage instead of converting strokes to pixels Ability to zoom in and out of notes and drawings Handwriting recognition Related to handwriting recognition, the ability to search note contents More organization options for notes Perhaps a second app to segment writing from drawing functions, but this isn't a want, just a speculation on how they may approach some of these features if they add them Better Kindle integration - like having notes automatically sync to other Kindle devices and apps on other devices, more robust sharing options and integrating with other products like Office apps or drawing exports, etc. Ways to mark up a book with the pen beyond just the current sticky notes. This is a complicated ask because of the way ebooks are formatted, but it isn't unsolvable. My hope is that they are responsive to customer feedback and this becomes the premier Kindle e-ink device, and that they add this functionality to the current devices rather than milking them by only adding them to newer models. It seems more likely that they'll add most or all of the functionality to these devices, because otherwise they'd create a massive amount of customer backlash that they'd have to needlessly overcome, and that just isn't logical or necessary, so I think we'll see at least some of these features added over the coming several months to a year or two.

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• 

  Andrea

  

  Oct 21, 2024

  The Kindle Scribe, it’s been the best kindle I’ve read on. I have a paper white for when I’m out and about for ease of mobility but that’s not to say I don’t miss the real estate of the Kindle Scribe when I do. I read a lot of nonfiction and textbooks on my down time and the big screen really does make a difference. I love reading on the big screen, it made reading more fun for me and let me get engrossed in the book. Somehow it easily helped me comprehend the information faster than on the paper white that I might have to reread or flip the page after a paragraph. This might have been the honeymoon phase for it but I am all about it! Especially in highlighting parts of a book which was so much easier with the pen than my finger on the paper white. Paper white is great however it’s got its own advantages for use as the Kindle Scribe does in certain circumstances. I still use both depending on the situation. I wish I got the premium pen but I got used to the basic pen quickly, later having decided to invest in this device I opted for the STAEDTLER Noris Digital Jumbo that writes like a dream, just glides on the screen and that pen really made a difference in my note taking experience. I downloaded a great planner app with hyperlinks that made it so easy to plan and organize my day, it took over my writing in a paper planner everyday. The only drawback to using it on the kindle instead of the calendar app on my phone is that I couldn’t access it on my phone when I was out and about. Well, I guess I could through the app but there was no changing anything on there and I wasn’t going to bring my kindle scribe to the grocery store to scratch off my list. Battery life is amazing, I’ve charged it once and then haven’t had to in a week. Still at 65% and have been reading and using in intervals all day everyday this week. The Kindle Scribe is thin and lightweight, sometimes not easy to hold with one hand and write although doable. Reading however was quite easy to do one handed which was practiced very often while putting little ones to sleep and comforting them while reading a bed time story. I haven’t dropped it yet but I got a clear case for it as the Leather Folio that came in the bundle is about a week later than anticipated. I feel as if it would be durable and withstand a good drop but I don’t see that occurring in the way I use it even with my small children running around. It’s light and thin but not fragile with the way it’s feel is. I could be wrong but I don’t plan on finding out. All in all, a great set up. Definitely recommend even with the new Kindle Scribe coming out in December which does look super snazzy. Amazon said they’ll be keeping updates for the original Kindle Scribe. So unless you like that white border or are willing to wait for the Jade color I would just stick to the OG Kindle Scribe. I appreciate it just as it is at least that’s what I plan to do. On a side note: if you’re here to compare this to the Remarkable or the Supernote Nomad for note taking, this is an ereader that can take notes. Not a note taking device that you can read books on. You’ll know what your priorities are and go accordingly. I would’ve absolutely have loved this if I were a student. Having my textbooks available AND be able to take notes. I’d carry this around without breaking my back with a heavy backpack. However, I wouldn’t have bought this just for the note taking capabilities, in that aspect it’s limited however as an ereader with the note taking capabilities this is top of the line especially with all the updates they added.

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