Amazon Kindle Scribe - Take Note

I'm done trying to convert people to eReading. It's like trying to convince a flat-earther the world isn't flat. There's no point. It won't work. They've ignored the facts, made up their mind and then reinforced their misguided beliefs with as much misinformation as they can fill their YouTube feed with.

In much the same way, I don't understand any of the arguments old-fashioned, analogue book readers make for not using an eReader instead... which is actually only usually one argument; it doesn't "feel" like a book.

Seriously?

Guess what? An iPhone doesn't feel like a telegraph machine and a computer connected to the internet doesn't feel like all the encylopedias that have ever been published.

But I'm not doing it. I'm not getting drawn into this pointless argument again. Not when the Kindle has now evolved and doesn't even feel like the old Kindles anymore...

The Kindle Scribe is now more than just a book. With the addition of a stylus, a range of storage options (up to 64GB) and thanks to recent software upgrades, it has become a genuinely useful way to handle documents.

Don't get me wrong, it's still a great way to read books too. In fact, thanks to the all-new 10.2-inch, 300ppi eInk display you could perhaps argue it's the best way to read books ever. The extra-large screen is about the most anti-glare surface I've ever come across. It can be wound up super bright, although it will adjust automatically to the ambient lighting if you choose. The 35-LED front lighting array makes for comfortable nighttime reading, even in complete darkness. You can also dial up the "warmth" setting for a more natural, book-like background or, if you're like me, you might prefer dark mode instead.

Used solely as an eReader, at first the Scribe's XL size may seem a little unwieldy but this is counteracted by a few things; firstly, it's extremely slim and light - much more so than a more conventional 10-inch tablet. Secondly, it has a deliberately wide bezel down one side to make the device easy to hold without accidentally setting off any of the touch controls on the screen. It doesn't matter which hand you prefer to hold the Scribe with - the display rotates around so lefties won't have to learn to read upside down.

But of course, this device was never supposed to be just another Kindle.

Unlike many other tablets, the Scribe comes with a stylus included; either the Basic Pen or for a few dollars more, the Premium Pen which features a customisable shortcut button. Neither version requires a battery or charging... in fact I have no idea how they work, they just do. There's also a packet of spare nibs and a replacement tool included in the box. I personally have never managed to wear out a nib on a stylus like this but I guess some people must get really carried away.

To begin with, the Pen is just a great way to navigate around the Scribe - a fine point is always going to be more accurate than my chubby digits. However that's obviously just the beginning. You can use the Pen to highlight passages from your books, copying them and sending them to any email address of your choosing (the one attached to your Amazon Kindle account is selected by default). These attachments are sent as PDFs and you can add your own notes which are also saved on your own copy of the book for future reference.

It's when you save other types of files to the Scribe when things get really good though.

This is now super easy, thanks to the web-based Send-to-Kindle function. You simply navigate to the Send-to-Kindle page, log in with your account and drag and drop any PDF or Word documents you want to appear in your Scribe's library. This transfer happens in a matter of seconds - a refreshing opening-up of Kindle's previously siloed system of loading content. It was always easy to purchase and download books directly from the official (and very well stocked) Kindle Store, but much more challenging to load original or third-party documents. Now it's a wireless drag-and-drop.

That's if you're not creating content on the Scribe itself.

You can choose from a large selection of notebook templates including lists, charts and schedules, using the Pen to write just as you would on a pad. The Pen can also be used as a highlighter, fountain pen or pencil and erasing is as simple as flipping it over and rubbing out with the other end.

Again, any notebook you create can be emailed as a PDF and a recent software update even allows you to convert your handwriting to text. UI updates like these are pushed out automatically or you can easily download and install them manually as soon as they're released.

My daughter is currently putting the final touches on her Master's degree which involves a lot of back-and-forward with her supervisor getting her thesis just right. I could see her supervisor using a tool like the Kindle Scribe as a great way to offer possible edits, and highlight specific sections to add either praise or criticism.

It's not all good news. There are some features missing. There's no IP rating for water or dust resistance so the Scribe is not perhaps the best choice poolside or at the beach. There's no wireless charging either, although this is forgivable given the size and shape of the device would make it somewhat problematic to position it in exactly the right place on a wireless charging pad.

There are also other eInk tablets out there running a full (or close to full) Android OS experience meaning you can install apps, browse the net and run an email client. The Scribe is not that.

Some of those other tablets even have colour displays which is certainly appealing to users who like comics, graphic novels and anime. The Scribe is only black and white.

But perhaps, ironically, the Scribe's biggest drawback is its size - surely the greatest advantage of a "more conventional" Kindle is how infinitely portable it is. I'm not sure this is the Kindle I'd choose to take on holiday with me, although the Pen does attach to the Scribe magnetically. Of course there are cases available (and even strap-on Pen-holders) and to be sure, if you happen to be a teacher, professor or other professional who needs to review documents on a regular basis, the Scribe will definitely take up a lot less space in your briefcase or satchel than a laptop, conventional tablet or even, heaven forbid, a massive stack of printouts.

With regular UI updates introducing new features all the time, incredible, weeks-long battery life and the ultimate easy-on-the-eyes display, this really does beat sitting down at a desk covered with a pile of paper. And you have all the books you could ever read at your fingertips. Definitely worth a look.

    

(Please note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the Pen does not attach magnetically. This was not correct)

Click here for more information and pricing on the Amazon Kindle Scribe.