(Image source from: Aboutamazon.com)
Amazon has started its newest hardware update featuring two main highlights: the introduction of the Kindle Scribe, which now supports colors, and an anticipated upgrade to its voice assistant, now known as Alexa Plus. As a fan of Kindle, I find this news extremely thrilling. However, before discussing the Kindles, it's important to mention Alexa. Amazon's digital assistant has been criticized for lagging behind, not keeping up with competitors like Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri. With Alexa Plus, Amazon promises a service that behaves less like a machine and more like a friendly conversation. In the early access phase, Alexa Plus is showcasing new “agentic” abilities. By connecting it to your Uber, OpenTable, or Ticketmaster accounts, you can ask it to book rides, make dining reservations, or get concert tickets. You can also have it memorize information for later, such as a friend's birthday or your Wi-Fi password, and set up smart home routines simply by speaking naturally. One of the most pleasant changes is that you don’t have to use specific commands to activate Alexa anymore. You can chat casually, and Alexa Plus will understand. This change alone could be just what Amazon needs to bring its assistant back into focus.
The enhanced assistant will be ready on new Echo speakers and Fire TV devices, which you can already pre-order. Some models of Echo are expected to start shipping in October. For now, Alexa Plus is only available in the US as part of its early access program, but Amazon suggests that it will be available more widely next year. Now, let’s focus on the highlight for book enthusiasts. Amazon has completely updated its Kindle Scribe series, with the standout product being the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which allows readers and those taking notes to use colors. This is the first time a Kindle device has gone beyond the traditional black and white E Ink experience. According to Amazon, the Colorsoft display technology is made to be gentler on the eyes compared to regular LCD screens. Users can highlight text in various shades, draw with different digital pens, or add shading to images. It’s not designed to replace a tablet, but rather to enhance the Kindle concept: reading without distractions while adding a bit of creativity.
Every one of the updated Scribe models boasts paper-emulating 11-inch displays, together with more slender, lightweight designs and minimized parallax, which enhances the realism of digital writing. These devices are equipped with a modernized processor and memory configuration, ensuring enhanced responsiveness when browsing through pages or jotting down memos.
There will be three distinct models offered:
A redesigned Kindle Scribe that includes an integrated front light (available later this year, priced at $499.99).
The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, with prices beginning at $629.99.
A more budget-conscious variant lacking a front light, scheduled for release in the beginning of 2026 at a price of $429.99.
Amazon has also stated that launches in the UK and Germany are being planned for the start of 2026, ensuring that European users will not have an extended waiting period. Leaving aside the enhancements to the hardware, the software on the Kindle is getting a significant overhaul. The updated user interface features a Quick Notes function, in addition to Google Drive and OneDrive compatibility, which will allow your files to transfer between devices without problems. Additionally, there's a notebook driven by AI that is capable of searching handwritten text and is also capable of producing synopses. Even more cutting-edge are the planned functions for reading. Amazon provided a sneak peek of spoiler-free summaries and an "Ask this Book" feature, which lets users ask the AI questions related to the context and get answers without disrupting the reading experience. Future updates might enable direct synchronization of notes with Alexa Plus, making it possible to ask conversational questions like, "What did I write down about Chapter 3?"
Considering everything, these announcements demonstrate Amazon's efforts to regain its competitive advantage. The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft signifies the most radical transformation of the Kindle lineup in a long time, and Alexa Plus has the potential to finally silence those who have dismissed Alexa as merely a remote control with a speaker.
