This simple guide will let you use an iconic composition notebook design as a Kindle screensaver image.
Custom Kindle lockscreen covers are getting popular these days, thanks to a TikTok hit video that talks about how to replace the default screensaver image with your own one.
All you have to do is create an image, convert it to an epub format, and send the file to your Kindle. Then, go to Settings » Device Options on your Kindle, and enable Display Cover.
This way, you can customize the Kindle lockscreen image with anything you like. You can use a graphic program or an online design tool, such as Canva or Pixlr, to upload and modify one of your photos or create an image from scratch.
If you are a fan of composition notebooks, I will show you how you quickly create a ready-to-use image that you can customize with your name or text. It will take no more than 30 seconds to have the design ready.
The trick is that you can use Zazzle online platform to customize the design and then just make a screenshot.
Zazzle is one of the leading online stores connecting designers and consumers. I have created a few notebook designs here, and anyone can customize them by just typing a name.
Obviously, you don’t have to buy anything on Zazzle. Just use the personalization option to add your name and make a screenshot that will have a resolution that’s suitable for a Kindle display.
Later in the post, you will see four of my composition notebook designs. All you have to do is follow this simple guide.
1. Pick up any of the covers listed below and follow the link to the Zazzle store.
2. On Zazzle, click on either the “Personalize” button or “Personalize this template” link.
3. Start typing your name or custom text in the text area. The text will appear on the design as you type.
4. Use the screenshot tool on your computer to grab the cover image.
5. The notebook design has the proportions that are close to the proportions of Kindle models (except the Oasis and Scribe, which are much wider).
To get the proportions that would fit the display of your Kindle perfectly, you can crop and resize an image using Image Resizer. It’s the simplest and most user-friendly image modification tool I’ve found online.
Here are the screen resolutions of the popular Kindle models:
▸ Kindle 11 (2022) – 1072 × 1448 px
▸ Kindle Paperwhite 5 (2021) – 1236 × 1648 px
▸ Kindle Scribe (2022) – 1860 × 2480 px
▸ Kindle Oasis 3 (2019) – 1264 × 1680 px
The pseudo-marbling composition notebook pattern emerged in Western Europe in the mid-19th century. However, the origins of this timeless design, that’s loved by users all over the world, date back to the 12th century Japan.
Composition notebook is one of the most popular designs picked for Kindle case covers. Imagine: you can have it not only as a case cover, but also the actual front of the Kindle itself.
An inseparable part, and something that completes the beauty of the composition book, is its label. Crafted, cut, and stamped by hand, it’s a proof that everything you write inside is exceptional.
This vintage artwork is inspired by a legendary composition notebook with a unique dual-color pattern and semi-oval label. It’s available in eight colors, including black, green, and pink.
For the best contrast, I recommend using the black variant shown and visualized below.
This modern, unique pattern is a photorealistic replica of the classic Japanese Suminagashi marbling.
Suminagashi marbling, also known as “floating ink,” is an ancient Japanese paper marbling technique. The process involves floating inks on the surface of a water basin and then pressing paper onto the surface to capture the patterns.
The artwork lets you admire the natural beauty of papier-mâché. This pattern is inspired by the look of mulberry paper with full-sized leaves. I’ve used a modern label design to amplify the gentle structure of the background.
This vintage design recreates the feel of an outstanding marbled paper technology used for classic notebooks in the 18th and 19th century. The distressed label comes with a retro font face and other elements that were common in the classic composition notebook design.
If you would like to try other designs, make sure to explore my collection of Customized Composition Notebooks on Zazzle.
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You can grab Amazon’s most powerful e-reader for just $289 ($50 off), for a variant with the Basic Pen and 16 GB of storage.
Released on November 30, 2022, the Kindle Scribe is the most innovative and powerful e-paper device Amazon ever offered.
It sports the 300 ppi 10.2-inch glare-free touchscreen display that’s enhanced by both the front and warm light.
Most importantly, the Scribe is the first Amazon e-paper device that supports handwriting. It comes free with a battery-free pen, and a variety of handwriting templates (notebook, to-do-list, and diary, among them).
So far, Amazon’s newest e-reader was not offered at a reduced price. You could save on it during Black Friday 2022 even $80, but it was possible if you combined the savings on a free Kindle Unlimited free plan ($40) and getting the bundle (another $40).
As I predicted last year, the first price cuts on Kindle Scribe should come during National Reading Month 2023 – and here they are!
The entry-level variant, with 16 GB of storage and the Basic Pen, costs now only $289.99, which is a 15% price drop from $339.99. I was expecting the price to be lowered to just $299.99.
If you decide to invest in a variant with the 32 GB of storage and Premium Pen, you will also save 15%. The price is right now set at $329.99, instead of $389.99.
Plus, in every variant, you save $30 on a free, 3-month Kindle Unlimited plan.
It was worth waiting for a price cut like this. Keeping $50 in your pocket will let you buy a solid Kindle Scribe case cover – and there are plenty of them already.
The next price cuts on the Kindle Scribe should come before Mother’s and Father’s Day 2023, and surely during the summer edition of Prime Day.
The deal ends on Sunday, March 26, 2023, so hurry!
Keep exploring. Here are other tips, lists and deals for Kindle users:
[ef-archive number=5 tag=”kindle”]
]]>You can save $65 in total, if you decide to get a version with a free 4-month Kindle Unlimited plan.
What are your New Year Resolutions? To read more, learn faster, write better? It looks like Kindle Scribe is destined for you. The only problem is that it costs $340, and you can’t expect a price cut any time soon.
Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s most innovative device in years. It’s designed for both reading and writing.
The device sports the 10.2-inch glare-free 300 ppi touchscreen display with front and warm light, asymmetric Oasis-style glass front, and a USB-C port.
Most importantly, the Scribe supports handwriting. You can choose from two compatible pens – Basic or Premium – that come free with a chosen variant. It also comes with several templates for handwritten notes.
The first, a rather symbolic, price cut may come in March 2023, for the National Reading Month. However, I believe to see any reasonable Kindle Scribe deal on Prime Day 2023, the soonest.
If getting the Scribe would boost your New Year resolutions, especially when it comes to reading more books, you can take advantage of a new limited-time promotion that has just been revealed.
Add Kindle Scribe to cart, and use the code READWRITE25 at checkout to get a $25 credit that you can use to get ebooks from the Kindle Store. You will be able to redeem your code within 45 days from the shipment date.
$25 is roughly an equivalent of two fully priced books, but if you are determined to hunt for Kindle deals, you can get 25 books for $0.99 each.
What’s more, if you pick up a variant with a free 4-month Kindle Unlimited membership, you will save an extra $40 on Kindle books that are included in the Kindle Unlimited catalog.
The promotion ends on January 4, 2023, 5:00 PM Pacific time. It seems like a lot of time, but I use it to find out whether Kindle Scribe is the device that you would love – or hate.
Kindle Scribe with $25 ebook credit and 4 free months of Kindle Unlimited? It sounds like you won’t need to buy any additional Kindle books to meet your Reading 52 Challenge this year.
Interested in the Kindle? Keep exploring:
[ef-archive number=5 tag=”kindle”]
]]>Almost 7.5 million free ebooks were downloaded from Project Gutenberg since mid-November 2022. Apart from all-time classics, you will find on the list three picaresque novels by Tobias Smollett.
Are you making a list of books to read during Christmas, or include in the New Year’s reading challenge?
Why not checking out the titles that are free to download because they are available in the public domain?
A leading source of free public domain books is Project Gutenberg. Founded in 1971 by Michael Hart, it’s the longest established digital library.
Currently, the site offers free access to over 60,000 eBooks that can be read online or downloaded in a variety of formats, for all possible ebook apps and e-reading devices.
The site provides useful stats about ebook downloads, Top 100 Ebooks in the Last 20 Days, where you can see the most popular titles based on how many times they were downloaded or read online.
Between November 15 and December 15, 2022, users downloaded from Project Gutenberg almost 7.5 million ebook files. Books from the Top 100 ranking were downloaded over 3 million times.
You will find on the list such well-known classic books as The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, or Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
Surprisingly, these iconic classics don’t occupy the top of the list. Apparently, users are no longer interested in the books everyone knows. They are heading to Project Gutenberg to discover new books and read lesser-known authors.
Have you heard of Tobias Smollett, a Scottish poet and author living in the 18th century? He is best known for his picaresque novels.
Picaresque novels are stories of an anti-hero’s adventures in a disreputable world. They usually feature a roguish protagonist who is forced to rely on his wits, charm, and cunning to survive misadventures.
Three books by T. Smollett made it to the Top 20 Most Downloaded Ebooks, including The Adventures of Roderick Random. These three books alone were downloaded over 400,000 times in the last 30 days!
You have no other choice. You should add one of Smollett’s picaresque novels to your reading list.
You can download ebooks from Project Gutenberg to any e-reader or book-reading app. Make sure to pick up the file called EPUB3. This file format is compatible with Kobo, Apple Books, Nook, Google Play Books, and Amazon Kindle, among other platforms.
Yes, you should pick up EPUB3 for your Kindle or Kindle app. It’s because Amazon Kindle moved away from mobi format, and now it’s epub that’s officially supported.
E. M. Forster
Set in Italy and England, the story is both a romance and a humorous critique of English society at the beginning of the 20th century.
The novel brought Forster recognition when it was first published and is now considered a modern classic.
The story centers on Lucy Honeychurch, a young upper-middle-class Englishwoman, and her experiences with love, independence, and travel.
Number of downloads: 173,860
George Eliot
Middlemarch is a novel by George Eliot, set in the fictional Midlands town of Middlemarch during 1829–1832 and follows several intersecting stories with a large cast of characters.
The novel explores the social and political changes in England during the early 19th century, particularly the impact of industrialization and the reform of local government.
Middlemarch is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels in the English language.
Number of downloads: 163,420
Louisa May Alcott
Little Women is a classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, originally published in 1868. It follows the lives of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, and their experiences growing up in Massachusetts during the Civil War.
The book has been adapted for stage and screen numerous times and has been lauded for its strong female characters and its exploration of themes of love, family, and independence.
Number of downloads: 149,498
Elizabeth Von Arnim
The Enchanted April is a 1922 novel by British writer Elizabeth von Arnim.
It tells the story of four very different women who rent an Italian villa for the month of April and, through the beauty of the surroundings, find contentment, joy, and transformation.
The novel was adapted into a film in 1992, starring Miranda Richardson and Joan Plowright.
Number of downloads: 147,040
L. M. Montgomery
A 1926 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, best known for her novel Anne of Green Gables.
The book tells the story of Valancy Stirling, a 29-year-old spinster who is stuck in a restrictive life, but finds freedom and adventure when she begins to explore the world around her.
Number of downloads: 142,565
William Shakespeare
This is a comprehensive collection of the writings of William Shakespeare. It includes all of his plays, sonnets, and other poems, as well as various other works attributed to him.
The book includes, among others: The Sonnets, All’s Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet. The Comedy of Errors, The Merchant of Venice, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are also included.
This free ebook is an invaluable resource for any student or fan of Shakespeare’s work.
Number of downloads: 141,385
Herman Melville
A classic novel by Herman Melville tells the story of the obsessive quest of Ahab, captain of the whaling ship Pequod, for revenge on the giant white sperm whale that on the ship’s previous voyage bit off Ahab’s leg at the knee.
The novel is a great exploration of themes of fate, revenge, and the power of nature. It has been adapted into numerous films and television shows over the years.
D. H. Lawrence called Moby-Dick “one of the strangest and most wonderful books in the world” and “the greatest book of the sea ever written.”
Number of downloads: 141,139
T. Smollett
The novel, first published in 1753, follows Ferdinand Count Fathom, a handsome and charismatic con artist who is adept at convincing people to part with their wealth.
After being sent away from his home in England, Fathom continues to travel across Europe and experience numerous adventures.
Through the course of the novel, Fathom is forced to confront his own moral boundaries and ultimately selects a path of redemption.
Number of downloads: 138,321
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
First published in 1851, the novel is set in the fictional town of Cranford, a small market town in the north of England.
We follow the lives of the town’s many female inhabitants, who are mostly middle-class and elderly spinsters, as they go about their everyday lives and gossip about their neighbors.
The novel is known for its humorous, gentle satire of Victorian life and its strong female characters.
Number of downloads: 138,019
T. Smollett
The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, first published in 1771, is widely considered to be one of the first picaresque novels in English literature.
The novel follows the adventures of its protagonist, Humphry Clinker, as he and his companions journey from London to Scotland and back again.
Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters and settings, and the novel offers a vivid picture of life in 18th century Britain.
Number of downloads: 134,589
T. Smollett
Here is another novel from T. Smollett. It follows the exploits of Roderick Random, a young man from a well-to-do family who is disinherited and forced to make his own way in life.
Random goes on a series of adventures, ranging from romance and duels to a naval battle and a stint in a debtors’ prison.
The novel is noted for its realistic and humorous depiction of 18th-century life and for its exploration of themes such as social mobility, corruption, and injustice.
Number of downloads: 132,845
Henry Fielding
This comic novel by English author Henry Fielding, first published in April 1749, follows Tom Jones, an illegitimate foundling, from infancy to adulthood.
Tom’s journey takes him through various social circles and tests of morality, eventually leading him to true love and a fulfilling, prosperous life.
The novel was well-received when it was first published, and it has since become one of the most beloved novels in the English literature.
Number of downloads: 125,892
Richard Wagner
My Life is an autobiography by German composer Richard Wagner.
First published in German in 1889, it contains a detailed account of Wagner’s life and works, as well as his personal reflections on his life and times.
Number of downloads: 122,418
Alexandre Dumas
Twenty Years After is a historical novel by Alexandre Dumas, first published in 1845. It is the sequel to The Three Musketeers and part of the D’Artagnan Romances series.
The novel follows the adventures of d’Artagnan’s sons as they fight to protect France from the machinations of Cardinal Mazarin, the chief minister of King Louis XIV.
The novel also follows the fortunes of the other musketeers, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, and their respective families.
Number of downloads: 122,260
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Published in 1818, this famous classic novel follows a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein who creates a hideous sapient creature out of body parts of the dead.
The creature is rejected by society and ultimately seeks revenge on his creator.
The book combines elements of the Gothic novel and the Romantic movement, and is considered one of the first true science-fiction stories.
Number of downloads: 67,212
Charles Dickens
First published on December 19, 1843, this novella is considered one of the most popular and beloved Christmas stories of all time.
The story follows the miser Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, who show him the error of his ways, and how to be a better man.
The tale of redemption of the human spirit has been adapted for stage, film, and television many times over the years.
Number of downloads: 61,046
Jane Austen
The world’s beloved novel of manners is set in rural England at the beginning of the 19th century and follows the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and her love interest Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
We follow the five Bennet sisters as they navigate their way through their family’s financial struggles, the pressures of marriage and society, and their own personal feelings.
Through witty dialogue and character development, Austen explores themes of love, class, and pride.
Number of downloads: 55,220
Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Scarlet Letter is a classic novel by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1850.
The book tells the story of Hester Prynne, a young woman who conceives a child while living in an oppressive Puritan society.
The novel examines the effects of societal pressure on an individual, as well as themes of sin, guilt, and redemption.
Number of downloads: 29,696
Lewis Carroll
A classic novel by Lewis Carroll tells the story of a young girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar, anthropomorphic creatures.
The tale plays with logic, giving the story lasting popularity with adults as well as children. Its narrative course and structure have been enormously influential, notably in the fantasy genre.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is considered to be one of the most characteristic examples of the genre of literary nonsense.
Number of downloads: 26,550
Oscar Wilde
Dorian Gray is a handsome young man whose life is forever changed after he has a mysterious portrait of himself made.
The portrait ages while Dorian himself stays young and beautiful, and he soon learns the hard way that the consequences of his vanity and hedonism are dire.
The novel is considered a classic of English literature, and is a cautionary tale about the power of beauty, morality, and the ability of art to influence life.
Number of downloads: 24,172
All images: Project Gutenberg, Wikipedia.
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We have tracked Black Friday Kindle prices since 2016. The rule is that when a deal price for a certain model is applied, it doesn’t change.
In other words, you won’t see a lower price during Black Friday weekend than it is today. There is no need to wait.
Amazon reveals Black Friday deals for Kindle models and bundles usually during a weekend preceding Black Friday. And here is another rule: only some models are featured.
Black Friday 2022 deals for Kindle have just been added to Amazon Device Deals. And two models are featured so far: Kindle Paperwhite 5 and Kindle Oasis 3.
What about deals on Kindle 11 and Kindle Scribe 1 – the newest models announced this year?
Updated on November 24, 2022: The deal for the newest Kindle 11 has just been revealed. The price is down from $99.99 to $84.99 for the variant with lockscreen ads.
When it comes to Kindle Scribe 1, there will be no deal at all. It’s because the newest 10.2-inch reading & writing machine will start shipping on November 30. Never before the product in the pre-order phase was offered for a reduced price. However, you can still save $80 on Kindle Scribe without any price deal.
Updated on November 25, 2022: There is no price deal for Kindle Scribe, but you can save $40 if you buy two of them. Add two Scribe models from this link, select options, and go proceed to checkout. The offer will be automatically applied.
So, what Kindle deals can you grab right now? Have a look at the quick list below.
[ef-reco id=”155812″ title=”Read also” info=”Top article”]
Here are the selected deals on Kindle models:
▸ Get Kindle Basic 11 for $84.99 – the newest, entry-level Kindle model sports the high-resolution display, and comes with the fast-charging USB-C port. The Black Friday 2022 deal price is set at $84.99 instead of a regular $99.99 (variant with ads), so you save 15%. The deal is disappointing. I was expecting a much deeper discount, hoping to see the price below $70.
▸ Get Kindle Paperwhite 5 for $94.99 – the price is $5 higher than we expected. However, it’s a powerful device with a 6.8-inch display, which gives you 13% more display space than the regular 6-inch display. The price is for the 8 GB variant with lockscreen ads.
▸ Get Kindle Oasis 3 for $164.99 – the entry-level Oasis variant comes with 8 GB of storage and lockscreen ads. Quite frankly, compared to the 6.8-inch Paperwhite and the new Scribe, the benefits of the Oasis become weak. We expected the price to go down to under $150. On the other hand, the price is lower by $10 than in former Black Friday events.
▸ Get Kindle Signature for $129.99 – Signature Edition is a premium variant of Paperwhite 5, and comes with 32 GB storage, wireless charging, and auto-adjusting front light.
▸ Save $40 if you buy two Kindle Scribe models – the only way to save on Kindle Scribe this Black Friday is to buy two of them: one with a Basic Pen ($340), the other one with a Premium Pen ($370). The saving in symbolic, but still, it’s the only price deal you will see on this model until, probably, March 2023.
Check out all current Black Friday 2022 Kindle deals.
▸ Save 80% on Paperwhite Essentials Bundle – the bundle includes the 2021 Paperwhite, power adapter, and leather cover in Black, Lavender Haze, Deep Sea Blue, or Merlot. The price of the variant with 8 GB storage has been cut to $119.99.
▸ Get Kindle Oasis Essentials Bundle for $173 – the bundle comes with the highest Black Friday price cut so far – 44%. And it’s much better to get it instead of the Kindle Oasis deal. For a few dollars more ($173 vs. $165) you get a fabric cover and power adapter. The deal price is set for a variant with 8 GB storage.
▸ Save $100 on Signature Essentials Bundle – the bundle is exceptional because, besides the Paperwhite Signature and wireless charging dock, it includes a watersafe cork cover in Light or Dark color. The storage is 32 GB, and the dock lets you charge the e-reader without cables.
Check out all current Black Friday 2022 Kindle bundle deals.
If you already have a Kindle, but want to save on the Kindle Unlimited subscription itself, you can already grab the dedicated Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2022 deal. It won’t get any better – the rule is that deal conditions don’t improve over time.
▸ Get 3 months of Kindle Unlimited for $0.99 – go to the sign-up page of Kindle Unlimited and log in with your Amazon credentials. Without logging in, you won’t see the offer.
Click on the “Join Kindle Unlimited” button to start your membership. The deal will let you save almost $30, as the subscription costs $9.99 per month.
If you plan to buy a Kindle this Black Friday, be it the newest entry-level model, Kindle Paperwhite 6.8, or even the revolutionary Kindle Scribe, keep in mind that they come with free Kindle Unlimited plans.
Kindle Unlimited is bundled with Kindle models, regardless of the variant you choose. It’s also included in Kindle bundles.
▸ Get 4 months of free Kindle Unlimited with the purchase of Kindle 11 – the newest entry-level Kindle model comes with the high-resolution display, front-light, and USB-C charging. You save $40 – the total value of 4 months of Kindle Unlimited purchased separately.
▸ Get 3 months of free Kindle Unlimited with the purchase of Kindle Paperwhite 5 – this model combines most-desired features with a reasonable price. The Kindle Unlimited offer bundled with Paperwhite is 3 months for free, not four, so your saving is $30.
▸ Get 3 months of free Kindle Unlimited with the purchase of Kindle Oasis 3 – the Oasis gets the highest price cut this Black Friday, and when you add $30 from Kindle Unlimited, you can save $125 for the variant which regularly costs $250.
▸ Get 4 months of free Kindle Unlimited with the purchase of Kindle Scribe – the Scribe costs $339 for the entry-level variant (Basic Pen + 16 GB). Your Kindle Unlimited savings are $40. And when you buy the bundle, you can save $80 in total.
Here are Kindle models and bundles that are currently available at lower prices.
You may see on the web or in your news reader the headlines crying, for instance, “Kindle Paperwhite price at all-time low!” Don’t rely on such messages, and always double-check the price.
The thing is that Black Friday 2022 deals on Kindle are less attractive than you’d expect, especially for the Oasis – the model that, compared to the Scribe, suddenly becomes unattractive.
When the deals for Kindle 11 and Kindle 11 bundle arrive, you will find them in Amazon Device Deals. Go to that link and bookmark this page in your browser.
To bookmark any page in a browser, click on a star you should find in the search box. As an option, you can use a shortcut – Ctrl+D on a PC and Command+D on a Mac computer.
Interested in the Kindle? Keep exploring:
[ef-archive number=5 tag=”kindle”]
]]>There will be no Black Friday price deal for the newest Kindle Scribe. But if you really want this reading and note-taking beast for Christmas, you will keep $80 in your wallet anyway.
Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s most innovative device in years. It has a large 10.2-inch high-resolution display, asymmetric Oasis-style glass front, battery-free pen, and several templates for handwritten notes.
The Scribe was announced on September 28, 2022, and was available for pre-order immediately. The launch date is November 30 – five days after Black Friday 2022.
And that’s the problem. No Amazon device had ever been offered at a reduced price before the official launch date. Don’t expect the price of Kindle Scribe to drop below $300 when you browse Amazon during the Black Friday 2022 weekend.
As you know, most Black Friday price deals are just an illusion. But consumers are still shopping a lot, even though they know they only save 5% instead of 50%. The reason they buy is that they have a reason to buy.
“I bought it on Black Friday.” No questions asked. Someone has hunted for a good deal.
So, during Black Friday 2022, Kindle Scribe will be offered at a regular price – $339.99 for the variant with 16 GB of storage and basic pen.
No savings at all? There are some good news. You will keep in your wallet even $80 if you buy Kindle Scribe for a regular price.
How to save on Kindle Scribe during Black Friday 2022?
▸ $40 to save on Kindle Unlimited – the 4-month Kindle Unlimited plan is included with the Scribe for free. The subscription costs $9.99 per month. Here is a catalog of Kindle Unlimited eligible books.
▸ $40 to save on the Kindle Scribe bundle – right now, you can keep $40 in your pocket if you buy Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle. It includes the Scribe with the Basic Pen, the fabric cover, and the power adapter. The price is set at $380 – $40 less than the sum of all elements bought separately.
Keep in mind that Kindle models don’t come with a power adapter anymore. If you need a new charger, you will have to buy it separately. Or you can get a Kindle bundle.
If you decide to get the Kindle Scribe Fabric Cover Essentials Bundle with Basic Pen and 16 GB storage, you will pay $380 instead of $460.
If you go for the Kindle Scribe Leather Cover Essentials Bundle with Premium Pen and 16 GB storage, you will spend $430 instead of $510.
Pre-ordered Kindle Scribe models and bundles will start shipping on November 30, 2022, so you will have yours before Christmas.
When to expect price cuts on the Kindle Scribe?
First, it’s possible to see additional incentives to buy Kindle Scribe during Black Friday 2022 or immediately after its launch.
The free Kindle Unlimited plan may be extended to six months. The prices of Kindle Scribe bundles may go down by $20-$40 more. All depends on how well the device sells.
If you are waiting for a real price cut on the Kindle Scribe, it should be available at the beginning of 2023 the soonest.
Most probably, any reasonable Kindle Scribe price discount will be offered by Amazon in March 2023, during National Reading Month.
For more details, you can read my detailed Kindle Scribe pros and cons overview.
If you want to check out current prices of Kindle e-readers and models, go to Amazon Device Deals – a lesser-known section of the Amazon online store.
Are you interested in the Kindle? Keep exploring:
[ef-archive number=5 tag=”kindle”]
]]>The newest entry-level Kindle model was announced on September 13, 2022. It was available for pre-order on the same day, with shippings starting on October 12, 2022.
If you’d like to learn whether the new Kindle fits your own needs, make sure to explore the list of things to know before buying Kindle 11.
If you prefer to dive into full tech specs and comparisons, including the visualization dimensions, make sure to keep reading this overview.
It’s the 11th-generation Kindle, according to Amazon’s device classification. The 2022 Kindle model costs $99 and comes with a crisp 300 dpi display, USB-C port, 16 GB memory, and a battery that lasts up to 6 weeks.
On the other hand, it is not waterproof, doesn’t feature the all-glass front, there is no warm light feature, and the front light is not auto-adjusting.
Is the 2022 Kindle 11 still on your radar, despite the disadvantages? Let’s dive into down-to-earth details in one handy list.
16 GB storage – at the time of launch, the 2022 Kindle model offers 16 GB of storage, out of which approximately 14 GB is available to the user. It’s worth noting that so far, the Paperwhite 5 was offered with 8 GB of storage, but the 16 GB variant was introduced at the same time Kindle 11 was announced.
6-inch, 300 ppi touchscreen – the new high-resolution display has three times more pixels than the previous model, offering sharper text and images in a paper-like feel. The previous-generation basic Kindle from 2019 had a display with a 167 ppi pixel density, the new one offers 300 ppi.
USB-C port – USB-C becomes the standard in charging and data transfer. It lets you charge and send data to and from the Kindle much faster than the standard USB port. You will need approximately 2 hours to fully charge the Kindle 11 using a 9W USB-C power adapter (not included in the box).
6 weeks of battery life – the new Kindle 11 offers 50% more battery life than the previous generation basic Kindle model. Instead of 4, you now have 6 weeks of peace of mind, before you start looking for a charger. The calculation is based on the assumption that you read for half an hour a day, with the display brightness set at level 13.
Dark Mode – like the 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite and the latest Kindle Scribe, the 2022 Kindle comes with the Dark Mode. The feature inverts colors on the screen. The display background is black and text is white. You can toggle Dark Mode in the Quick Access menu.
Built-in Audible player – just like other models, Kindle 11 doesn’t come with either speakers or headphone jack. However, you can easily listen to Audible audiobooks via connected Bluetooth earphones or speakers.
When you consider getting the most affordable Kindle model, a comparison to the 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite 5 is inevitable. It’s a question of spending the equivalent of an original Amazon case cover ($30-$40).
You pay $40 more and you get a more advanced e-reader, the one that would meet not only your current needs but also the ones that may arise in the future.
On the other hand, you should ask yourself a question: do I really need a waterproof e-reader with a warm light? The basic Kindle comes with the crisp Paperwhite-like display, most probably the one that’s the same or similar to the display used in the previous-generation Kindle Paperwhite. The high-resolution screen that displays the sharp and readable text, no matter the size of the font, is the most important feature of the dedicated e-reading device.
So, how does the latest basic Kindle released in 2022 stack up against the regular variant of the 6.8-inch Paperwhite? Let’s have a look at a comparison table.
Paperwhite 5 | Kindle 11 | |
---|---|---|
Screen | 6.8-inch | 6.0-inch |
Screen pixel density | 300 ppi | 300 ppi |
8 GB Storage | Yes | No |
16 GB Storage | Yes, for $10 more | Yes |
microSD card | No | No |
Speakers | No | No |
Headphone jack 3.5 mm | No | No |
Front light | Yes, 17 LEDs | Yes, 4 LEDs |
Warm light | Yes | No |
Auto-adjusting light | No | No |
All-glass front | Yes | No |
USB-C port | Yes | Yes |
Dark Mode | Yes | Yes |
Wireless charging | No | No |
Battery life | Up to 10 weeks | Up to 6 weeks |
Cellular variants | No | No |
Waterproof | Yes, IPX8 | No |
Climate Pledge friendly | Yes | Yes |
Kindle Unlimited free plan | Yes, 3 months | Yes, 4 months |
Colors | Black | Black Denim |
Weight | 7.23 oz / 205 g | 5.56 oz / 158 g |
Dimensions | 6.9 × 4.9 × 0.32 in 174.2 × 124.6 × 8.1 mm |
6.2 × 4.3 × 0.32 in 157.8 × 108.6 × 8.0 mm |
Release date | October 27, 2021 | October 12, 2022 |
Price | from $139.99 |
from $99.99 |
If you have complained about the display size of your previous Kindle, you should carefully compare the dimensions of the basic Kindle 2022 and Kindle Paperwhite 5, released in 2021.
The first device comes with a 6-inch display – the same size and almost all previous Kindle models, except the DX and Oasis. The latter device comes with a 6.8-inch display.
The Paperwhite’s display offers 13% more space than the display of the 2022 basic Kindle model – without actually being much larger in general. The larger display allows to enlarge the font much more, without the need to reduce margins and line spacing.
Find below the size comparison between the base Kindle 2022 (11th-generation) and the Kindle Paperwhite 5 (2021).
Benefits | Disadvantages |
▸ High-resolution 300 ppi display ▸ Battery life extended to 6 weeks ▸ 16 GB memory with no extra charge ▸ Slim design with thinner bezel around the display ▸ Sustainable production process ▸ USB-C port for fast charging and data transfer |
▸ No warm light ▸ No headphone jack, which is still the simplest solution for audiobook playing ▸ No black cover in Kids Edition ▸ No USB-C power charger included in the box ▸ No white variant ▸ Not compatible with case covers for earlier generation model |
The full technical specifications of the newest 11th-generation Amazon Kindle basic type e-reader are listed below. For further reference, please read the full Kindle 11 (2022) user guide online.
Screen | 6-inch, glare-free touchscreen with optimized font technology |
---|---|
Levels of gray | 16 |
Front light | Yes, 4 LED lights, adjustable but not auto-adjusting |
Warm light | No |
Dark Mode | Yes, available from the Quick Access menu |
Screen resolution | N/A |
Screen pixel density | 300 ppi |
Handwriting support | No |
Stylus support | No |
Waterproof | No |
Storage capacity | 16 GB |
microSD card | No |
Body color | • Black • Denim |
Battery life | A single charge lasts up to 6 weeks, based on a half hour of reading per day, with wireless off and the light setting at 13 |
Charge time | • Approximately 4 hours from a computer via USB-C cable • Approximately 2 hours with a 9W USB-C power adapter (adapter not included) |
USB-C port | Yes (USB-C power adapter sold separately) |
Wireless charging | No |
Charging dock station | No |
Weight | 5.56 oz / 158 g |
Dimensions | 6.2 × 4.3 × 0.32 in / 157.8 × 108.6 × 8.0 mm |
Wi-Fi | Supports 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks with support for WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 security using password authentication or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) wifi networks |
Cellular version | No |
Bluetooth | Yes, with Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming from Kindle to your Bluetooth speakers or headphones. Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported |
Speakers | No |
Headphone jack | No |
Audible-ready | Yes; capable of playing both Audible audiobooks and Audible companions for Kindle ebooks. Pair with Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones |
Kindle Unlimited offer | Yes, free 4-month of Kindle Unlimited subscription with the purchase of Kindle 11 (2022 release) |
Accessibility features | VoiceView screen reader, available over Bluetooth audio, provides spoken feedback allowing you to navigate your device and read books with text-to-speech (available in English only). Kindle also includes the ability to invert Black and White, adjust font size, font face, line spacing and margins. |
Climate Pledge Friendly | Yes, built with 60% post-consumer recycled plastics and 70% recycled magnesium; 95% of the packaging is made of wood fiber-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources |
Supported formats | Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, DOCX, DOC, HTML, EPUB, TXT, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX) |
Original case covers | Yes; sold separately. Two designs to choose from: watersafe fabric cover in 4 colors and Bookcover by Nupro in 3 colors. Leather covers not available at launch. |
Warranty | 1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 1-year, 2-year or 3-year Extended Warranty available for U.S customers sold separately |
Included the box | • Amazon Kindle basic model (11th generation, 2022 release) • USB-C charging cable • Quick Start Guide |
Generation number | Overall Kindle generation – 11th |
Bundles | Yes, Kindle Essentials Bundle ($170) |
Launch dates | • Announcement: September 13, 2022 • Pre-orders: September 13, 2022 • Release: October 12, 2022 |
Prices | • 16 GB with Lockscreen Ads – $99.99 • 16 GB without Lockscreen Ads – $119.99 |
Here are the highlights from the 6-inch Kindle 2022 product page on Amazon.
16 GB / Ads
Take your story with you
Meet Kindle, now with an upgraded high-resolution display, 2x the storage, USB-C charging, and longer battery life. The built-in adjustable front light, and the newly added dark mode feature, lets you read comfortably indoors and outdoors any time of the day.
Enhance your reading
Enjoy sharper text and images. The upgraded 300 ppi high-resolution glare-free display features more than 3x as many pixels as the previous generation.
Read comfortably in any environment
The glare-free display reads like real paper, even in direct sunlight. Adjust the front-lit display, and now with dark mode easily invert text color for a more comfortable reading experience, day and night.
Distraction-free reading
With no interruptions from messages, emails, and social media, you can lose yourself in the story.
Read for longer
Now with extended battery life. A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 6 weeks. Battery life may vary depending on use.
Better with original covers
Designed by Amazon to perfectly fit your Kindle, these slim, form-fitting covers attach securely and fold back for one-handed reading. They automatically put your device to sleep when closed and wake upon opening, making it easy to get back to your story. Learn more about our covers.
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Announced on September 28, 2022, and available from November 30, 2022, Amazon’s latest e-reader is one of the most important milestones in Kindle history.
Kindle Scribe sports the 300 ppi 10.2-inch Paperwhite, glare-free touchscreen display that’s enhanced by both the front and warm light. The e-reader is offered in three storage variants (16, 32 and 64 GB), is equipped with a USB-C port, and has the asymmetrical look of the Oasis.
Most importantly, the Scribe is the first Amazon e-paper device that supports handwriting. You can choose from two compatible pens – Basic or Premium – that come free with a chosen Kindle Scribe variant.
Below, you will see our usual, detailed list of comparison tables, tech spec tables, and home-made visualizations.
However, we’d like to stress that for many users, the Scribe will be the most challenging Kindle model ever released. When you consider buying it, it’s not only about the display size, front light, or pen support.
You will have to change your habits, routines, and – most probably – productivity tools, to make the most use of the Kindle Scribe. For more details, read our extensive Kindle Scribe pros and cons overview.
Large 10.2-inch display – this high-resolution, 300 ppi touch screen with Paperwhite technology is glare-free and can be used even in direct sunlight – not only for reading, but also writing.
Handwriting support – you can use the pen that comes free with Kindle Scribe to make handwritten notes, annotations, or write your own notebooks, journal entries, and lists. Writing on the Scribe feels like writing on paper. Handwritten document markup is possible with pdf files.
Dedicated pens – you can get the Kindle Scribe with either the Basic or Premium pen. Both are battery-fee and attach magnetically to the side of the device. The Premium stylus comes with a dedicated eraser and shortcut button.
Notebook templates – Kindle Scribe can be also used as a notebook for writing journal entries, making to-do lists, or doodling. You can choose from a number of templates, such as lined paper, blank paper, or checklists. The notebooks you create are managed on the Scribe and will come to the web-based Kindle app in early 2023.
USB-C port – USB-C becomes the standard in charging and data transfer. It lets you charge and send data to and from the Scribe much faster than the standard USB port. You will need approximately 2.5 hours to fully charge the Scribe using a 9W USB-C power adapter (not included in the box).
12 weeks of battery life – larger device needs more energy, but the Scribe offers the longest battery life in the Kindle range. It’s up to three months, based on reading for half-and hour a day. If you read actively, make frequent notes or write a journal, the battery will last up to three weeks.
Dark Mode – like the 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite and the latest Kindle 11, the Scribe comes with the Dark Mode. The feature inverts colors on the screen. The display background is black and text is white. You can toggle Dark Mode in the Quick Access menu.
Three storage variants – you can choose from 16, 32, or 64 GB storage. In the 16 GB variant, about 2 GB are taken by the system files, so 14 GB will be available for you. It’s enough for thousands of ebooks files or about 80-100 full-length audiobooks.
Built-in Audible player – just like other Kindles, the Scribe doesn’t come with either speakers or headphone jack. However, you can easily listen to Audible audiobooks via connected Bluetooth earphones or speakers.
Writer-friendly case covers – original Amazon Kindle Scribe covers fold vertically with an option to create a writing pad that you can place on a desk or your laps. Plus there is a stylus loop on the front cover. Available in fabric and leather variants.
When you take a look at the Kindle Scribe without the size reference (the palm or the stylus), it looks just like the Oasis 3. It has an edge-to-edge glass front and asymmetric design.
So, at first, the 3rd-generation Oasis looks most suitable for comparison. However, this 7-inch model is now over 3 years old, and we don’t even know whether it will be continued.
For many demanding ebook lovers, Kindle Paperwhite 6.8 is an e-reader of the first choice, and they plan to buy it in the near future. It’s probably them to start considering the Scribe as an alternative.
Let’s take a look at the Kindle Scribe vs Paperwhite comparison table.
Paperwhite | Scribe | |
---|---|---|
Display | 6.8-inch | 10.2-inch |
Pixel density | 300 ppi | 300 ppi |
Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
Front light | Yes, 17 LEDs | Yes, 35 LEDs |
Warm light | Yes | Yes |
Stylus support | No | Yes |
Handwritten document markup | No | Yes |
Storage | 8 GB, 16 GB | 16, 32, 64 GB |
microSD card | No | No |
Speakers | No | No |
Headphone jack 3.5 mm | No | No |
USB-C port | Yes | Yes |
Dark Mode | Yes | Yes |
Audible ready | Yes | Yes |
Wireless charging | No | No |
Battery life | Up to 10 weeks | Up to 12 weeks |
Cellular variants | No | No |
Waterproof | Yes, IPX8 | No |
Climate Pledge friendly | Yes | Yes |
Kindle Unlimited free plan | Yes, 3 months | Yes, 4 months |
Colors | Black | Tungsten |
Weight | 7.23 oz / 205 g | 15.3 oz / 433 g |
Dimensions | 6.9 × 4.9 × 0.32 in 174.2 × 124.6 × 8.1 mm | 9.0 × 7.7 × 0.22 in 230 × 196 × 5.8 mm |
Release date | October 27, 2021 | November 30, 2022 |
Price | from $139.99 | from $339.99 |
If you ever considered getting a large-screen e-reader or missed your old Kindle DX, you will most probably want to see with your own eyes how big the Kindle Scribe is.
The 10.2-inch display means the device is comparable in size to Amazon Fire HD 10 or the basic iPad model. But with the larger bezel on one side, it’s actually wider.
Please find below the Kindle Paperwhite vs. Scribe size comparison.
As the new Kindle Scribe supports handwriting and is much larger and heavier than 6-8-inch models, the USB-C port and the power button were moved to the side. They are placed on the “grip” side of the device – the side intended to hold the device in your hand, where the bezel is wider.
As the display is fully rotatable, you can hold the Scribe in either the right or left hand.
When it comes to the pen, it magnetically attaches to the “non-grip” side of the Scribe. That’s why the cases should have a long cutout for the pen. The pens don’t recharge when being attached to the Kindle Scribe, because they are battery-free.
The position of the port and power button will affect the design of compatible Kindle Scribe cases. The standard design that opens like a book to the side will have to have cutouts for the USB-C port and the power button, which won’t be easy, as they are positioned under the folding edge.
That’s why, most third-party producers will follow the vertical design offered in original Kindle Scribe case covers.
Original Kindle Scribe cases also have a pen holder that’s positioned at the bottom of the front cover. It’s clever because when you open the case the pen lands behind the device together with the case’s foldable front.
The full technical specifications of the newest 1st-generation Amazon Kindle Scribe e-reader are listed in a table below. For further reference, please read the full Kindle Scribe user guide online.
Screen | 10.2-inch Paperwhite touchscreen, glare-free |
---|---|
Levels of gray | 16 |
Front light | Yes, 35 LED lights, auto-adjusting |
Warm light | Yes, adjustable |
Dark Mode | Yes, available from the Quick Access menu |
Screen resolution | N/A |
Screen pixel density | 300 ppi |
Handwriting support | Yes |
Handwritten document markup | Yes, on pdf files |
Stylus support | Yes |
Compatible pens | • Basic Pen – free with 16 and 32 GB variants * Premium Pen – free with 16, 32, and 64 GB variants |
Personal notes | Yes, ready-to-use templates for notebooks, journals, and to-do lists |
Notes management | Yes. Notebooks sync coming to the web-based Kindle app in early 2023 |
Waterproof | No |
Storage capacity | • 16 GB * 32 GB * 64 GB |
microSD card | No |
Body color | Tungsten |
Battery life | A single charge lasts: * Up to 12 weeks, based on a half hour of reading per day, with wireless off and the light setting at 13. * Up to 3 weeks based on a half hour period of writing per day, with wireless off and the light setting at 13. |
Charge time | • Approximately 7 hours from a computer via USB-C cable * Approximately 2.5 hours with a 9W USB-C power adapter (adapter not included) |
USB-C port | Yes (USB-C power adapter sold separately) |
Wireless charging | No |
Charging dock station | No |
Weight | • Device: 15.3 oz / 433 g * Basic Pen: 0.49 oz / 14 g * Premium Pen: 0.53 oz / 15 g |
Dimensions | 9.0 × 7.7 × 0.22 in / 230 × 196 × 5.8 mm |
Wi-Fi | Supports 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks with support for WEP, WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 security using password authentication or Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) wifi networks |
Cellular version | No |
Bluetooth | Yes, with Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming from Kindle Scribe to your Bluetooth speakers or headphones. Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported |
Speakers | No |
Headphone jack | No |
Audible-ready | Yes; capable of playing both Audible audiobooks and Audible companions for Kindle ebooks. Pair with Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones |
Kindle Unlimited offer | Yes, free 4-month of Kindle Unlimited subscription with the purchase of Kindle Scribe |
Accessibility features | VoiceView screen reader, available over Bluetooth audio, provides spoken feedback allowing you to navigate your device and read books with text-to-speech (available in English only). Kindle Scribe also includes the ability to invert black and white, adjust font size, font face, line spacing and margins. |
Climate Pledge Friendly | Yes, built with 60% post-consumer recycled plastics and 70% recycled magnesium; 95% of the packaging is made of wood fiber-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources |
Supported formats | Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, DOCX, DOC, HTML, EPUB, TXT, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX) |
Original case covers | Yes; sold separately. Three variants to choose from: Black water-safe fabric, Black genuine leather, Dark Emerald genuine leather |
Warranty | 1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 1-year, 2-year or 3-year Extended Warranty available for U.S customers sold separately |
Included the box | • Amazon Kindle Scribe (1st generation, 2022 release) * Basic or Premium Pen * USB-C charging cable * 5 replacement tips * Tip replacement tool |
Generation number | • Kindle Scribe generation – 1st * Overall Kindle generation – 12th |
Bundles | Yes, Fabric Cover Essentials Bundle ($410), Leather Cover Essentials Bundle ($430), and Premium Leather Cover Essentials Bundle ($450) |
Launch dates | • Announcement: September 28, 2022 * Pre-orders: September 28, 2022 * Release: November 30, 2022 |
Prices | • 16 GB + Basic Pen – $339.99 * 16 GB + Premium Pen – $369.99 * 32 GB + Premium Pen – $289.99 * 64 GB + Premium Pen – $419.99 |
Here are the highlights from the Kindle Scribe 2022 product page on Amazon.
16 GB / Basic Pen
Read and write as naturally as you do on paper
With a 10.2-inch 300 ppi glare-free Paperwhite display, Kindle Scribe is perfect for reading and writing, even in direct sunlight. The large display gives you room to take notes and journal, and makes it easy to adjust font size and margin width for improved reading comfort. Writing on Kindle Scribe feels like writing on paper.
The power of the pen
Kindle Scribe includes either a Basic or Premium Pen. Both give you more ways to use your Kindle than ever before. The Premium Pen has a dedicated eraser and a shortcut button, which can be assigned to seamlessly switch between pen, highlighter, and more.
Add handwritten notes to your books
Create handwritten sticky notes in millions of eBooks from the Kindle Store without cluttering up the page. Simply tap where you want to insert a note on the page to quickly capture that handwritten thought for later. Sticky notes are automatically organized by book, into one place, so you can easily navigate and browse.
Streamline your life’s notes
Kindle Scribe is also a notebook and a journal with included templates like lined paper, blank paper, to-do lists, and more. Stop searching through stacks of paper—keep notes organized in folders, and search for notebooks by title to quickly reference later.
Make notes in your documents
Easily import and mark up PDF files or insert sticky notes on Microsoft Word documents and other compatible formats. Send them to your Kindle Scribe through your desktop web browser or via the Kindle app using the “Share” button on your iOS or Android device.
Read and write in any light
Adjustable warm light and auto-adjusting front light provide a comfortable, personalized reading and writing experience, day or night. And with USB-C charging and a battery life that lasts months for reading and weeks for writing, you can immerse yourself in your content without the worry of finding a power outlet.
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Kindle Scribe comes with a large 10.2-inch high-resolution display, asymmetric design, battery-free pen, and a variety of handwriting templates (notebook, to-do-list, and diary, among them).
The price of Kindle Scribe is set at $339.99 – that’s for the variant with 16 GB storage and basic pen. It’s $90 more than for the Kindle Oasis, and roughly the same as for the entry-level 10.2-inch iPad.
If you want more storage (Kindles don’t come with microSD cards, remember?), you will have to buy the premium pen, and the price jumps to $389, not a usual $20 price increase for twice the storage.
You can compare the detailed specs on the Kindle Scribe product page, but please keep in mind one thing: the Scribe, more than any other Kindle model, will change the way you read and work.
Are you ready for a switch in your working habits? Will you accept the lack of usual tablet features? Are there enough books (textbooks, academic publications, non-fiction) in your Kindle account that are suitable for active reading?
Below, you will read about the benefits and disadvantages of the Kindle Scribe from the perspective of your potential needs and expectations, not technical features.
You are a long-term Kindle user. You had the Kindle before, but realized it was too small, even for novels you were reading for pleasure.
And increasing the font size didn’t solve your problem. It was not about text visibility but space.
You miss the good old days when you were thinking about Kindle DX and feel sorry you didn’t do it. If you want to read a book, you prefer the 10-inch Amazon Fire you gave your son for Christmas.
The Kindle Scribe is just for you. It comes with the 10.2-inch, 300 ppi, crisp display, and you will be able to read not only novels but also non-fiction, comic books or magazines without the need to zoom in.
Plus, it comes with warm light and adjustable front light – everything you need to comfortably read in all possible lighting conditions.
And the pen? It’s optional. You may use it or not, but it will always be at hand. The only problem is the price – twice as much as the 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite. Isn’t $340 too much for the e-reader that’s just the size you need?
You make notes on your current Kindle, in a Kindle app on your tablet, or in a browser, using Kindle Cloud Reader. You access all your highlights on your laptop, at read.amazon.com, and use them for work.
Kindle platform with note taking, reference, and highlighting tools, is your natural habitat. You use this environment extensively and don’t want to change it.
The Kindle Scribe is an excellent choice for you. With the attached pen and the handwriting support, it will help you raise book annotation to a new level, letting you read, learn, and work more efficiently.
When you take a look at the Kindle Scribe without the size reference (the palm or the stylus), it looks just like your Oasis 3. It has an edge-to-edge glass front and an asymmetric design.
Having seen the Scribe, would you like the next-generation Oasis to support handwriting and have the stylus? And will the 7-inch screen be large enough, after all?
If you’d like too many features from the Scribe to see in the 4th-generation Oasis, you are most certainly ready for the Scribe.
The question is: am I ready to pay at least $80 more?
Will the Oasis 4 be launched at all? I’m not sure. From my experience, too many devices cause confusion. Three devices are the perfect range to choose from.
Here is your workday as seen through your tired eyes: looking at a large computer monitor at work, looking at a tablet during commuting to work and back home, looking at a smartphone hundreds of times. All these devices have one thing in common: a backlit display.
Backlit displays are used in TV sets, laptops, tablets and smartphones. The source of light is placed directly behind the screen. The light comes through the display right into your eyes. Your eyes are tired, red, and dry in the evening.
Are you looking for a device that would take a part of your work to an eye-friendly tool?
E-readers, including the new Kindle Scribe, come with the e-paper display that’s much more friendly for the eyes, because the front light is distributed over the display, not directly into your face.
If you’d like to use e-paper based devices for more than just reading novels, Kindle Scribe is worth considering.
You love the feel of paper, the sound of turned pages, and the personal touch of everything you write using the pen you got from your dad.
You tried making notes on a tablet, but it was painful. All your thoughts (some of them brilliant) were being killed by an ugly textarea, a tiny font, and an irritating autocorrection.
Plus, the tablets offer everything you hate: information overload, push notifications, several separate environments (they call them “apps”), stupid system sounds, shouting colors, jumping ads, and way too many other distractions.
You may stick to making notes in a classic paper notebook, but if you decide to upgrade, the distraction-free Kindle Scribe, with the handwriting support and paperlike black-and-white feel is the right tool to try.
The Kindle Scribe is not a perfect device, after all. It comes with a colorless e-paper display, and offers a clean but limited interface. You can count the tools on one hand: dictionary, basic Google and Wikipedia lookup, highlights & notes, and handwriting interface.
Now, compare it to the possibilities of a tablet, no matter which one you use (be it an iPad, Amazon Fire, or Samsung Galaxy). Endless number of apps you can tailor exactly to your needs, ability to switch between these apps, fully-fledged internet browser, videos…
If you use your tablet for learning, writing, and active reading, for instance your Amazon Fire, or an iPad with the Kindle app on it, you may be disappointed with the Kindle Scribe.
Kindle Scribe will never be an eye-friendly tablet. Because it’s not meant to be.
The Scribe comes with handwriting and annotation tools that you can perform in a distraction-free, classic-feel environment.
What you have to keep in mind is your work habits and the tools you have used so far.
If you were extensively using the Kindle platform and books, using the Kindle Scribe is not painful at all.
But if your work is built around Google or Microsoft apps, the pain starts, and it may be big. Kindle Scribe does not come with apps, such as Gmail, Adobe Acrobat, Google Keep, or OneNote.
You will need to send each document to your Kindle account to make it available on the Scribe. Sounds like a daily send-to-Kindle duty.
What may happen with your annotated documents afterwards? You can keep them on the Kindle platform, but the productivity tools (advanced note-taking and to-dos) are just starting. Or you can access your Kindle notes and highlights online, from your computer, and use the results back in your Google or Microsoft workspace.
Switching from your current productivity platform just to use a nice device with a handwriting support does not make sense.
You can only try the Scribe, if you are about to set up a digital productivity workspace.
If a note is handwritten on a digital display, you expect it to be searchable and editable, just like any standard digital text.
We are used to OCR, an optical character recognition technology that transforms a text in images to editable text, which you can edit, copy, and use in your digital text editors.
Many users assume that it’s what you will be able to do with the notes on your Kindle Scribe – they should be available somewhere as digital text.
In a press release announcing the new model, Amazon wrote:
All notebooks are automatically saved and backed up to the cloud for free, and, coming in early 2023, they will also be accessible via the Kindle app.
Does it mean the handwritten notes will become editable once they are available in other connected devices? I hope so.
However, for now, the Kindle Scribe doesn’t automatically convert handwritten notes to typed text. This info can be found in the Q&A section of Kindle Scribe product page on Amazon:
I just listened to the podcast by Len Edgerly (he has talked about Kindles since day 1) and he interviewed the VP of devices at Amazon who said they may eventually have an update to convert handwritten notes to typed text! That is what I want, too.
Without automatic text conversion, the Kindle Scribe is not a fully-fledged writing companion.
When you look at the pictures and videos of the Kindle Scribe, you may realize that you have almost forgotten to write by hand. And this single device may bring the charm of handwriting back. It’s like an old good composition book you were using in college!
Wait. Don’t spend $340 to test your predisposition to handwriting.
You have a smartphone and most probably a tablet, too. If you want to see how it feels to jot notes by hand, all you need to do is get the right app from the application store and get a decent stylus that costs a few dollars.
Are you using the Kindle app on your iPad or Android-powered tablet? Treating the Kindle Scribe as a replacement for the tablet is a bad idea.
The Amazon Kindle app on your tablet is just one part of the productivity chain.
When you are reading a book in the Kindle app, you can create a highlight or note, and look up the topic. The same happens on the Scribe.
But on the tablet, you can switch to other apps to learn much more about the topic. You can find the location on the map, explore social media, see images, and watch videos. You can create a quick note – and if you have a stylus, it can be a handwritten note.
On the tablet, you can write and edit the entire text based on what you have read in the Kindle app. There is no need to switch to a computer. And you can use your current productivity platform or a set of favorite apps.
What’s more, if you have the tablet, you can also publish or share what you have written after reading the Kindle book. WordPress, Gmail, or social media are a few taps away. None of them are on the Kindle Scribe.
For many users, the Scribe will be the most challenging Kindle model ever released. When you consider buying it, it’s not about the display size, front light, or water resistance.
You will have to change your habits, routines, and – most probably – productivity tools, to make the most use of the Kindle Scribe.
Because, opposite to other Kindles, it’s meant for active reading. And opposite to tablets, it’s not meant for fully-fledged writing.
Keep exploring. Here are other tips and lists:
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Amazon has just added the 16 GB variant to Kindle Paperwhite 5. You can get it for $149.99.
When the 6.8-inch Kindle Paperwhite was launched in October 2021, only two storage variants were available. The regular Paperwhite came with 8 GB of internal memory, while the Signature Edition was available with 32 GB.
There was no way to buy the regular Paperwhite 5 with a bigger storage. Fortunately, things are getting better.
The same day Amazon announced the newest base-level Kindle 11, the 16 GB storage variant was added to the Kindle Paperwhite 5 product page. I have checked Wayback Machine, and no 16 GB variant was available earlier this day, so it happened exactly at the time of announcement.
Kindle Paperwhite 5 Regular with 16 GB and lockscreen ads costs $149.99. It’s $10 more than the 8 GB variant. For the 16 GB version without ads, you will pay $169.99.
There is one more thing worth mentioning. You can now get the 8 GB Paperwhite with a free 3-month Kindle Unlimited subscription at no extra cost. The Kindle Unlimited offer was not available at the device’s launch – and it’s still not available for the 16 GB storage variant.
Is the bigger storage size important? The 8 GB Paperwhite has some 6 GB available for the user. You can store thousands of text-only ebooks on your e-reader. Would you ever be able to read them?
Things change when you use your Kindle Paperwhite to collect and listen to Audible audiobooks. The 8 GB Kindle will handle some 35-40 full-length audio files. When you get the 16 GB variant, you will have 70-80 audiobooks ready to be played any time.
Plus, the storage is important for readers who use the Kindle as the ultimate ebook bookshelf and rarely sync their content with Amazon Kindle cloud servers.
Are you planning to buy the Kindle Paperwhite with 8 or 16 GB of internal memory?
Keep exploring. Here are other news and tips for Kindle users:
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