Amazon has unveiled exciting updates to its Kindle lineup, including the release of its first color e-reader, the Kindle Colorsoft, for $279.99 on Oct. 30. This new device will allow users to view book covers and interior pictures in color, as well as add highlights in color. The 7-inch display is similar in size to Amazon’s black-and-white Kindle Paperwhite device. Other features include the ability to take handwritten digital notes directly in e-books, with a feature called Active Canvas that ensures notes remain visible regardless of changes in font size, style, or layout.
Despite being late to the game with its color e-reader, Amazon’s new release follows smaller competitors such as Kobo and Onyx that have already released their own color E Ink devices. Amazon has also announced its second-generation Kindle Scribe writing tablet and e-reader, which features an upgraded display and pen for a more realistic writing experience. The new Kindle Scribe allows users to take notes directly in the flow of books, instead of using a separate window overlaying a large part of the screen. A new note-taking option called Extended Margin will be available in the months after release, allowing users to write notes in an on-screen side panel that can be hidden or shown.
Amazon’s new Kindle Scribe will also feature generative AI that can summarize handwritten notes into bullet points using a script font, which can be easily shared. This feature, along with Active Canvas, will be available to existing users of the original Kindle Scribe via a software update. The Active Canvas and AI features are expected to roll out later this year, with Extended Margin coming in 2025. The new Kindle Scribe will be priced starting at $399.99 for a 16GB version with a basic pen, scheduled to ship on Dec. 4. Amazon is positioning the Kindle Scribe to compete with products from companies such as reMarkable.
In addition to the new Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Scribe, Amazon has also announced an updated Kindle Paperwhite priced between $159.99 to $199.99 depending on the model, and a revamped entry-level Kindle priced at $109.99. The entry-level device also comes in a $129.99 Kindle Kids version that includes kid-oriented cover designs and six months of Amazon Kids+ with access to books and audiobooks. These new updates to Amazon’s Kindle lineup showcase the continued innovation and evolution of e-readers, making it easier for users to read, take notes, and enjoy their favorite books in a digital format.
