iPad Does the Kindle Scribe increase the chances that Apple will make an e-ink version of the iPad?

[Rafterman]

The newer ones at least (only Oasis used to have it before followed by PW4).

I use the PW4 beach/poolside. Works super great under direct sunlight. Plus, I got mine for $65 during mother's day sale with Amazon Prime CC cash back so not a big loss if something happens to it.

Feels like the PW4 on 5.10 has shorter battery life compared to my PW3 on 5.9, though.

I wanted something lightweight, waterproof and with 64GB storage (my book collection after ten years is 30GB, so 64GB seems safe long-term).

Unfortunately, only the Scribe has 64GB, but its not waterproof. Plus, its not really lightweight, about as much as an iPad 11.

Hate to say it, but my iPhone is still my best ebook reader.

 

[rui no onna]

I wanted something lightweight, waterproof and with 64GB storage (my book collection after ten years is 30GB, so 64GB seems safe long-term).

Unfortunately, only the Scribe has 64GB, but its not waterproof. Plus, its not really lightweight, about as much as an iPad 11.

Hate to say it, but my iPhone is still my best ebook reader.

For what it's worth, I tried putting ~5000 ebooks (novels and fanfics) on my PW4 at one time and it was an awful experience. Browsing and searching was very laggy since the books are indexed via database.

I guess the super slow CPU and measly amount of RAM are part of the reasons for the excellent battery life and cheap price.

I got around that by jailbreaking my Kindle and installing KOReader (folder-based navigation). Non-JB, I think the primary use for 32GB+ on the Kindle are large books with lots of images (e.g. manga).

I don't like reading on the iPhone nowadays. I much prefer one of the iPads for reading (usually with the weight resting on a pillow, my tummy, etc).

 

[IJBrekke]

There was a 9.7" Kindle DX before but Amazon discontinued that line.

Thank you, I had forgotten about the DX.

 

[kristalsoldier]

I like the idea of devices like the Kindle Scribe, but can’t exactly work out the advantages of having it over the iPads that I use. I can do exactly the same things (except annotating Kindle books) with the iPads.

What would actually compel me to sit up and seriously consider a device like the Scribe is if it would allow not only annotating (by handwriting) PDFs, Kindle books, Word docs, but also epubs though I am not sure the epub format actually allows for that. Till then, I would probably remain biased in favour of the iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

I like the idea of devices like the Kindle Scribe, but can’t exactly work out the advantages of having it over the iPads that I use. I can do exactly the same things (except annotating Kindle books) with the iPads.

What would actually compel me to sit up and seriously consider a device like the Scribe is if it would allow not only annotating (by handwriting) PDFs, Kindle books, Word docs, but also epubs though I am not sure the epub format actually allows for that. Till then, I would probably remain biased in favour of the iPad.

The Kobo Elipsa allows annotations via the included stylus.

E-ink is more if you have issues with LCD/OLED as it mimics printed paper better (reflective screen instead of backlight, display not constantly refreshing, etc).

When I have migraines, I can still read on paper, and my Kindles and Kobos but using computers, iPhones or iPads exacerbates my condition.

 

[kristalsoldier]

The Kobo Elipsa allows annotations via the included stylus.

E-ink is more if you have issues with LCD/OLED as it mimics printed paper better (reflective screen instead of backlight, display not constantly refreshing, etc).

When I have migraines, I can still read on paper, and my Kindles and Kobos but using computers, iPhones or iPads exacerbates my condition.

Allows annotations of what? Epubs?

 

[Shanghaichica]

The Kobo Elipsa allows annotations via the included stylus.

E-ink is more if you have issues with LCD/OLED as it mimics printed paper better (reflective screen instead of backlight, display not constantly refreshing, etc).

When I have migraines, I can still read on paper, and my Kindles and Kobos but using computers, iPhones or iPads exacerbates my condition.

I do like that the kobo elipsa can write directly onto books rather than making sticky notes. However, I have a very large library of books that I bought from the kindle store and I have no desire to spend hours removing DRM and converting them so that I can use them on a kobo. As much as I'm tied into the Apple ecosystem. I'm also tied into the Amazon kindle ecosystem.

 

[rui no onna]

Allows annotations of what? Epubs?

I believe both EPUBs and PDFs. Caveat, the annotations are likely stored in a proprietary format in the case of EPUBs.

 

[ericwn]

I believe both EPUBs and PDFs. Caveat, the annotations are likely stored in a proprietary format in the case of EPUBs.

Good point - and likely not syncing to other devices. I’m guessing that’s the same story for many e-readers, the scribble stuff is only useable on the device.

 

[rui no onna]

I do like that the kobo elipsa can write directly onto books rather than making sticky notes. However, I have a very large library of books that I bought from the kindle store and I have no desire to spend hours removing DRM and converting them so that I can use them on a kobo. As much as I'm tied into the Apple ecosystem. I'm also tied into the Amazon kindle ecosystem.

I've taken to the habit of "disinfecting" purchased ebooks (nowadays Kindle and Kobo) after formats and ebook stores going defunct (Microsoft Reader/LIT format, Fictionwise, BooksOnBoard, etc) and reports of Amazon closing/disabling accounts.

Iirc, it takes less than a second per book to remove DRM. Nowadays, the process is easily automated. My books automatically get DeDRMed when I add them to my Calibre library.

The conversion takes longer depending on your hardware. A fast, modern CPU + SSD usually makes quick work of conversion tasks though. I've batch converted 5,000 book libraries and while I set that up before going to sleep, I think it only took an hour or two to finish.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I've taken to the habit of "disinfecting" purchased ebooks (nowadays Kindle and Kobo) after formats and ebook stores going defunct (Microsoft Reader/LIT format, Fictionwise, BooksOnBoard, etc) and reports of Amazon closing/disabling accounts.

Iirc, it takes less than a second per book to remove DRM. Nowadays, the process is easily automated. My books automatically get DeDRMed when I add them to my Calibre library.

The conversion takes longer depending on your hardware. A fast, modern CPU + SSD usually makes quick work of conversion tasks though. I've batch converted 5,000 book libraries and while I set that up before going to sleep, I think it only took an hour or two to finish.

I guess things have moved on. I have memories of doing it on old windows laptops using calibre and Alf the Aprentice tools circa 2010-2011. It took ages.

 

[sparksd]

I do like that the kobo elipsa can write directly onto books rather than making sticky notes. However, I have a very large library of books that I bought from the kindle store and I have no desire to spend hours removing DRM and converting them so that I can use them on a kobo. As much as I'm tied into the Apple ecosystem. I'm also tied into the Amazon kindle ecosystem.

Same. I have 750 Kindle books. I started using Calibre but quickly tired of the effort.

 

[Rafterman]

I don't like reading on the iPhone nowadays. I much prefer one of the iPads for reading (usually with the weight resting on a pillow, my tummy, etc).

You know the old saying "the best camera is the one with you?" Same for ebook readers. The best one is the one you have with you - which is usually your phone

 

[sracer]

I believe both EPUBs and PDFs. Caveat, the annotations are likely stored in a proprietary format in the case of EPUBs.

Good point - and likely not syncing to other devices. I’m guessing that’s the same story for many e-readers, the scribble stuff is only useable on the device.

You both are correct based on a few deep dives by YouTubers who specialize in reviewing e-ink tablets. It's why the Kobo Elipsa is not on my short list.

 

[rui no onna]

You know the old saying "the best camera is the one with you?" Same for ebook readers. The best one is the one you have with you - which is usually your phone

For me, it’s my iPad that’s always on hand and I have several to cycle between so there’s at least always one with decent charge. Nowadays, it’s the iPad mini I use most often while on the go.

My phone is usually buried in my purse when I’m not at work. Sometimes with the battery dead since I often forget to charge it on the weekends (I usually just charge via wireless charging dock in the office).

 

[rui no onna]

I guess things have moved on. I have memories of doing it on old windows laptops using calibre and Alf the Aprentice tools circa 2010-2011. It took ages.

I don’t remember the actual DRM removal taking ages. Maybe a few seconds per book.

However, setting up the python environment, etc. for the standalone tools was quite cumbersome. It’s probably not something many without at least a little bit of programming background would attempt.

Also, I had a top of the line quad-core i7 Nehalem with 120GB Intel SSD circa 2010-11 and I created an MS-DOS batch file to automate DRM removal for my “intake” folder. If I had to process the files manually one by one, I’d give up as well.

Nowadays, the Calibre plugins make it a breeze compared to the old days.

 

[ericwn]

You both are correct based on a few deep dives by YouTubers who specialize in reviewing e-ink tablets. It's why the Kobo Elipsa is not on my short list.

Which one did up on the short list? Remarkable by chance? Or another competitor?

 

[sracer]

Which one did up on the short list? Remarkable by chance? Or another competitor?

On my short list...

1. Boox Note Air 2
2. Remarkable 2
3. Kindle Scribe

Although the Scribe is greatly limited in note taking functionality, the build quality and ereading experiences are great. I'm only considering it because it'll be the cheapest of the 3 so I can test out how well an eink tablet would work for me... and if it doesn't, I'm sure that my wife will take it. (as she did with the Oasis that I bought... I asked her to try it out to see how well it works... and 2 years later, she's still "testing" it. )

 

[ericwn]

On my short list...

1. Boox Note Air 2
2. Remarkable 2
3. Kindle Scribe

Although the Scribe is greatly limited in note taking functionality, the build quality and ereading experiences are great. I'm only considering it because it'll be the cheapest of the 3 so I can test out how well an eink tablet would work for me... and if it doesn't, I'm sure that my wife will take it. (as she did with the Oasis that I bought... I asked her to try it out to see how well it works... and 2 years later, she's still "testing" it. )

I like both 1 and 2 from the list. However both cost a pretty penny for an eink device. The boox on top is an Android device which I’d usually ignore while the remarkable rips on off with the pen, subscription and then the missing backlight would annoy me. Decisions, decisions…

 

[Mackilroy]

On my short list...

1. Boox Note Air 2
2. Remarkable 2
3. Kindle Scribe

Although the Scribe is greatly limited in note taking functionality, the build quality and ereading experiences are great. I'm only considering it because it'll be the cheapest of the 3 so I can test out how well an eink tablet would work for me... and if it doesn't, I'm sure that my wife will take it. (as she did with the Oasis that I bought... I asked her to try it out to see how well it works... and 2 years later, she's still "testing" it. )

Those are the three devices I've been looking at as well. I believe the Scribe also has the highest PPI of all of them; not that that makes much difference after 250 or so, at least for me. The ReMarkable seems more of a note-taking device than an eReader, and I'd mostly want one for the latter purpose. Have you found any videos showing page refresh rates for the Scribe?

 

[sracer]

Those are the three devices I've been looking at as well. I believe the Scribe also has the highest PPI of all of them; not that that makes much difference after 250 or so, at least for me. The ReMarkable seems more of a note-taking device than an eReader, and I'd mostly want one for the latter purpose. Have you found any videos showing page refresh rates for the Scribe?

Yes, the Scribe has the highest PPI (300 ppi vs 220 for the others) I haven't found any videos comparing refresh rates. I think it is because there's only a single source for e-ink panels. The Boox Tab Ultra has the "Boox Super Refresh Technology" that gives it a faster refresh rate than other e-ink tablets.

 

[rui no onna]

Although the Scribe is greatly limited in note taking functionality, the build quality and ereading experiences are great. I'm only considering it because it'll be the cheapest of the 3 so I can test out how well an eink tablet would work for me... and if it doesn't, I'm sure that my wife will take it. (as she did with the Oasis that I bought... I asked her to try it out to see how well it works... and 2 years later, she's still "testing" it. )

The Oasis is a really nice e-reader though.

The extra bulk and weight of a very large screen e-ink device makes it a lot less attractive as an e-reader.

 

[sracer]

The Oasis is a really nice e-reader though.

The extra bulk and weight of a very large screen e-ink device makes it a lot less attractive as an e-reader.

You are correct... for normal people... but for us old dinosaurs, there's something appealing to being able to read a full page of a book in a 64 pt font.

 

[sracer]

Amazon is running a pretty good sale on the Scribe and even better with bundles...
Here's an example:


It's pretty difficult to resist, but I'll wait for the next deal, or Prime Day sale.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Amazon is running a pretty good sale on the Scribe and even better with bundles...
Here's an example:

View attachment 2137859
It's pretty difficult to resist, but I'll wait for the next deal, or Prime Day sale.

Thanks for sharing, had to order it. Huge kindle reader and have wanted another larger screen forever, so will see if it works for me or too cumbersome.