Amazon[1] is rounding out its Colorsoft collection with a new e-reader[2]. The Kindle Scribe[3], the only Kindle e-reader[4] with writing abilities, is finally getting a color display. The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft was unveiled at Amazon’s Devices & Services event on Tuesday, Sept. 30 in New York City. While we can’t wait to get our hands on the device the price is… nuts.
We can’t wait to get our hands on the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft and see if its lives up to its price tag. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft follows the release of the Colorsoft Signature Edition, Colorsoft[5], and Colorsoft Essentials Kids, making it the fourth device in the line-up, but the first with writing abilities. It’ll be a thin device, just 5.4mm thick and a precision machined aluminum frame.
It’ll have a new, more functional home screen, and while it will still have all the great benefits of a Kindle e-reader, it’s also focused on drawing and writing capabilities. Using Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive, users will be able to import and export files to the Kindle Scribe, plus a new Kindle Workspace tool works on PDFs, files, notes, and textbooks.
The new cases for the Kindle Scribe look luxe. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
But we need to talk about the Scribe Colorsoft’s price. When rumors[6] were swirling about color coming to the Scribe, we expected it might be priced over $500, but Amazon shocked us with its actual price tag. The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is priced at $629.99, making it the most expensive Kindle yet. As my colleague put it — the price is uncalled for.
Other color e-readers on the market — with annotating abilities — cost much less than the Scribe Colorsoft. The Kobo Libra Colour[7], which does have a smaller screen than the Scribe but still has color and writing abilities, only costs $229.99. That’s $400 less than Kindle’s Scribe. It’s even more expensive than an iPad[8], which starts at $349. Even if you were to add on an Apple Pencil for $129, the combo is still $151.99 cheaper than the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
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Despite its flagrant price, the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft could be a great value — we’ll only know once we get our hands on a model and try it ourselves.