Kindle Scribe’s Second Feature Update Enhances Writing and PDF Handling
In December 2022, Amazon entered the expanding digital notebook market with the Kindle Scribe. Featuring low-latency screen inputs and the highest pixel density in its class, at 300 ppi in the 10-inch E-Ink segment, the largest Kindle made a strong impression in many aspects in our test.
However, while the Kindle’s comprehensive reading features were robust, the writing functionalities were relatively limited by comparison. Amazon has since addressed this, and after the initial update in February, has already released a second functional update, making the Kindle Scribe significantly more attractive for frequent writers.
Video Summary (English)
Below is a brief video summary in English highlighting the new features:
First Update: New Pen Options, Subfolders, Jump-to-Page
The first update, released in February 2023, brought about a significant change with the addition of new pen options. Originally, the Kindle Scribe provided only two pen types with basic two-level pressure sensitivity.
With the update, three more virtual pen tips were introduced, each offering significantly increased pressure sensitivity. Although Amazon does not specify a precise number, it is likely in line with competitors like Remarkable & Co., who offer 4,096 pressure levels. The implementation is undeniably well-executed.
Additionally, a small but delightful visual change came in the form of new screensavers, distinguishing the Kindle Scribe from other Kindle models.
Since this update, notebooks can be organized into subfolders—a welcome feature, especially for those who write extensively. Another addition in this category is the “Jump-to-Page” function, which enables users to navigate directly to a specific page within a notebook. Previously, users could only move through notebooks via swipe gestures, which quickly became tiring when managing a large number of pages.
Improved Notebook Overview
The April 2023 update, the second for the Kindle Scribe, further enhances the user experience in two important areas.
The previously introduced direct page selection in notebooks was already an improvement over the original, but still fell short of being optimal, as users had to know the precise location of content to jump directly to it. This latest update remedies that with the new notebook overview.
This feature allows nine pages to be displayed at once in a minimized 3×3 grid, enabling users to quickly scan through all notebook pages. When the desired content is found, users can enlarge a page by double-tapping it.
Within this overview, users can also add, remove, and rearrange pages.
Better PDF Handling
PDF handling has also been improved under the category of enhanced navigation. The zoom function has been significantly upgraded, allowing for much faster movement across document sections.
This makes working with PDF files (sent to the device via Send-to-Kindle) much more convenient.
A contrast enhancement for PDFs has also been introduced, ensuring excellent readability even with edge smoothing applied.
Two Columns in Kindle eBooks
Another new feature is the two-column text mode for Kindle eBooks. This can be enabled from the reading menu after switching the screen orientation to landscape mode.
This function is especially useful for small to medium font sizes, as it reduces line length to a comfortable width while maximizing the amount of text displayed.
A helpful tip: To use this setting efficiently while out and about, the themes feature in eBooks is recommended. Users can save their preferred reading settings and switch between them with just a tap, avoiding the need to navigate through multiple submenus repeatedly.
Word Integration
The fourth major update brings the promised Word integration, allowing documents from Word 365 to be sent directly to the Kindle.
I was unable to test this feature myself due to the lack of a Microsoft subscription, but according to Amazon’s press release, there are two available processing methods. Files can either be sent to the Kindle Scribe as printed documents with fixed layouts or as Kindle eBooks featuring variable text formatting.
The first option enables handwritten notes to be made directly on the page, whereas the second allows for the use of sticky notes.
Conclusion and Outlook
Even the first functional update for the Kindle Scribe delivered significant enhancements, transforming the e-reader into a much more capable tool for writing.
The new second update, while seemingly smaller at first glance, further improves the overall user experience. The management of notebooks and PDF files is now not only suitable for occasional personal notes but can be effectively used in educational or professional settings as well.
However, Amazon is not finished introducing new functionalities. With the first update, a lasso tool was announced to allow moving content within notebooks. As this feature was absent from the most recent update, it is expected to be included in the next one.
When the time arrives, the Kindle Scribe will possess all essential core features needed for a productive day of writing. As is customary, Amazon has not provided a timetable for the next software update. Approximately eight weeks passed between the previous two releases, so if this schedule continues, the next update should be due by the end of June.
In summary, it is clear that Amazon is following through on its promise to improve the Kindle Scribe and address initial critiques. With these current updates, the device’s appeal has grown significantly for a variety of use cases, in my view. Today, the Kindle Scribe is not just of interest to occasional writers, but should also garner the attention of serious, frequent writers.
