Amazon has announced a new generation of its Kindle Scribe e-note devices, focusing on productivity with a redesigned chassis, the introduction of a color model, and new AI-powered software features. The updated lineup includes a next-generation Kindle Scribe, a version without a front light, and the first-ever Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
Hardware and Design Updates
The new Kindle Scribe models feature a redesigned body that is thinner and lighter than their predecessor, measuring 5.4mm in thickness and weighing 400g. The company states that performance for writing and page turns is 40% faster, driven by a new quad-core chip, increased memory, and updated Oxide display technology.
The device has an 11-inch glare-free display. Key hardware innovations include:
- A new front light system using miniaturized LEDs to allow for a narrower bezel.
- Texture-molded glass designed to increase friction for a more natural pen-on-paper feel.
- A re-architected display stack to reduce the distance between the pen tip and the digital ink, minimizing parallax.
Kindle Scribe Colorsoft
For the first time, Amazon is introducing a color e-ink model, the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft. It uses a custom “Colorsoft” display technology, which incorporates a color filter and a light guide with nitride LEDs. This is paired with a new rendering engine to facilitate a fluid color writing and drawing experience. Like the monochrome version, it is designed to offer weeks of battery life and operates without access to distracting apps or notifications.
New Productivity and AI Software
The new Scribe lineup is accompanied by significant software updates aimed at improving productivity:
- Redesigned Home Screen: A new “Quick Notes” feature allows users to jot down thoughts immediately from the home screen.
- Cloud Integration: The devices now support Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive for importing documents for markup and exporting annotated PDFs.
- AI-Powered Notebook: Users can search their handwritten notes using natural language queries, and the device will provide AI-generated summaries. An upcoming “Send to Alexa+” feature, planned for early next year, will allow users to have conversations with Alexa about their notes.
- Software Tools: Notebooks can be exported to OneNote as converted text or an embedded image. The creative toolset now includes 10 pen colors, 5 highlighter colors, and a new shading tool for artists. A “Workspace” feature allows for the organization of documents, notebooks, and books into folders.
Reading Enhancements
The devices retain all standard Kindle reading features, including access to the Kindle e-book store. Amazon is also introducing new AI-powered reading features, which will be available for thousands of books in the U.S. later this year on the Kindle iOS app and on Kindle devices early next year.
- Story So Far: This feature provides a summary of a book’s plot up to the user’s current page, avoiding spoilers.
- Ask this Book: Readers can highlight a passage and ask contextual questions about a character or scene to receive a spoiler-free explanation.
Pricing and Availability
All new Kindle Scribe models will ship with an included pen that attaches magnetically to the device and does not require charging.
- Kindle Scribe (with front light) 32GB will be available later this year in the U.S. starting at $499.99.
- Kindle Scribe Colorsoft 32GB will be available later this year in the U.S. starting at $629.99.
- Kindle Scribe (without a front light) 16GB will be available early next year for $429.99.
All three products are scheduled to be available in the UK and Germany early next year. New plant-based and premium leather folio covers will also be released.