The second-generation Amazon Kindle Scribe arrives in a competitive digital notebook market, vying for attention against established players like Kobo, ReMarkable, and Boox. While the first-generation Scribe held a unique advantage by doubling as a Kindle e-reader, its inability to annotate directly on ebooks presented a significant drawback. Amazon has addressed this critical limitation in the second-generation model, incorporating the much-anticipated ebook annotation feature alongside new generative AI functionalities and a redesigned Premium Pen stylus, now included with the device. Beyond these additions, the Scribe’s hardware remains largely unchanged, retaining its dual functionality as a digital notebook and e-reader, eliminating the need for a separate Kindle device.
Despite the welcome updates, the second-generation Scribe carries a higher price tag at $400, representing a $60 increase over the original base model and a $30 increase compared to the first-generation Scribe bundled with the Premium Pen. However, a crucial factor significantly impacts the value proposition of the new Scribe: the first-generation model can access all the new software features, including ebook annotation and AI capabilities, via a software update. This update, available both manually and over-the-air, eliminates a compelling reason to upgrade for existing Scribe owners, posing a challenge for Amazon in justifying the higher cost of the new device.
The second-generation Scribe inherits the same design language as its predecessor, featuring a blend of recycled aluminum and post-consumer recycled plastics on the back, conveying a premium feel despite the recycled materials. A notable omission remains the lack of waterproofing, a feature present in the Kindle Paperwhite and Colorsoft, making the Scribe somewhat less resilient in everyday use scenarios, especially considering its potential proximity to liquids like coffee.
The Scribe’s front is dominated by a 10.2-inch E Ink display with a sharp 300 pixels per inch resolution and a maximum brightness of 94 nits. The screen incorporates an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness adjustment and offers adjustable warm lighting for improved readability in low-light conditions, making it particularly comfortable for evening journaling. Further enhancing its versatility, the Scribe includes a dark mode, inverting the display colors for a black background and white text, further reducing eye strain in dimly lit environments.
The core functionality of the Kindle Scribe revolves around its dual nature as an e-reader and a digital notebook. As an e-reader, it offers the familiar Kindle experience, providing access to Amazon’s vast ebook library and incorporating features like adjustable font sizes, adjustable warm lighting, and dark mode. As a digital notebook, the Scribe shines with its ability to create notebooks, journals, and to-do lists. The included Premium Pen stylus facilitates smooth and natural handwriting, mimicking the feel of pen on paper. While the pressure sensitivity allows for varying line thickness, adding a degree of nuance to the writing experience.
A significant advancement in the second-generation Scribe is the newly introduced ability to annotate directly within ebooks, a feature previously absent. This highly anticipated addition allows users to highlight text, add handwritten notes in the margins, and quickly access definitions. This seamless integration bridges the gap between reading and note-taking, significantly enhancing the value proposition for students, academics, and avid readers. Beyond annotation, the new Scribe incorporates generative AI features. These functionalities include generating text from simple prompts, suggesting titles for notes based on the content, and summarizing the content of handwritten notes. While the long-term usefulness of these AI features remains to be seen, they represent an intriguing addition with potential productivity benefits.
The Premium Pen stylus, now included with the Scribe, plays a crucial role in the overall user experience. Its redesigned tip offers a slightly improved writing feel compared to the original, providing a more tactile and responsive experience. The pen magnetically attaches to the side of the Scribe for convenient storage and charging, eliminating the need for batteries or cumbersome charging cables. This streamlined design further enhances the Scribe’s portability and ease of use, making it an ideal companion for on-the-go note-taking.
While the second-generation Kindle Scribe brings welcome improvements, particularly the ability to annotate ebooks and the inclusion of the Premium Pen, the price increase presents a challenge, particularly given the software update available for the first-generation model. For existing Scribe owners, the update renders the upgrade less compelling. However, for users considering their first foray into the world of digital notebooks, particularly those entrenched in the Amazon ecosystem, the second-generation Scribe offers a compelling combination of e-reader and digital notebook functionality, making it a versatile device for both reading and note-taking. The absence of waterproofing remains a notable drawback, and the long-term value of the generative AI features requires further evaluation. Overall, the Scribe presents a compelling proposition for users seeking a premium digital notebook experience integrated with the familiar comforts of a Kindle e-reader.
