Today Amazon unveiled a bunch of new products at their annual hardware event, including several new Echo devices, some new security cameras, a new Fire TV stick, among other things, but there weren’t any new Kindle products or services mentioned at all.
Amazon revealed the Kindle Scribe at last year’s event so some people were hoping they’d continue the trend and announce another new Kindle this year, particularly a new Kindle Oasis, but that didn’t happen.
I wasn’t expecting any new Kindles to make an appearance today, but I thought there was an outside chance they’d show off an 8-inch Scribe Mini if they had one in the works, but I don’t think the Kindle Scribe has been as popular as Amazon had hoped so they’re probably not looking to release another version so soon.
The thing is Amazon almost never reveals new Kindles at their hardware events anyway, last year being the exception, so that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
They just released a new Fire HD 10 tablet today and they didn’t mention it at the hardware event, so there’s still an outside chance a new Kindle could get released later this year too. It’s unlikely but not impossible. They’ve announced new Kindles in October before.
Amazon has released at least one new Kindle every year since 2009, except in 2020. History suggests a new Kindle will get released in 2023, but it’s hard to see them replacing the entry-level model or Kindle Scribe after just one year, and the Kindle Paperwhite is only 2 years old, and they don’t usually replace it that soon either. The Kindle Oasis is the one model due for an update, but at this point, after four years of no upgrades, it seems more likely it’ll be discontinued when they sell off the remaining stock than updated to a new model. Hopefully they’ll release something new with page buttons at some point, but it’s not looking very likely this year.
I think it’s too soon for a new Kindle. The paperwhite is fine, the Kindle scribe just came out in the Kindle oasis despite micro USB is still very usable. Perhaps a small update, but that can wait. What I am absolutely desperate for however, it is an overhaul of the software, including more usable font sizes, line spacing, and margins. Amazon should come out with a subscription service for advanced features on Kindles for power users and for those that are willing to pay for it . That’s a missed opportunity.. i say $5-$10 per month depending on features
I think almost nobody would spend $60-$120 a year for features that probably should already be included on the device.
So sad
I really hope Amazon continues to make Kindles with page turn buttons.
I so agree with you, Jordan. It’s the only configuration that allows for one-handed reading, and I’m shocked that isn’t super important to anyone who enjoys reading in bed on one’s side. My 3.5-year-old Oasis, even in Airplane mode, needs daily charging now because I need the lights on max to see. I’m tempted to purchase a new Oasis for the new battery alone, realizing its lifespan will also be sadly short.
At least I hope they will improve current Scribe and not publish new version as would Onyx do. I am hoping that there will be real annotations with Kindle books although I understand what problems are for this. Also upgrade in note taking experience is welcome.
You’re right about that. Onyx would be releasing a new version of the Scribe this year for sure, with minor changes like a 5% faster CPU and a slight boost in RAM, and they’d probably somehow make the screen look worse just so they could release a newer “Pro” version in 6 months with a clearer screen and a higher price tag.
This has really left me bummed and looking for other options, cause I have the paperwhite SE and it’s ok, but doesn’t feel premium, the screen scratches easy, no buttons, it’s fine, but I don’t enjoy it.
I bought the Scribe and it’s definitely premium, the glass screen is so nice, everything looks sharp, it’s fast, USB-C, but it’s just too big to be my ebook reader that I take places. The Oasis size is in that perfect, 7-8 range, but the batter is so awful I can’t go back and the USB-C missing is simple annoying.
You clearly know a great deal about the industry, what devices would you recommend for those of us who are lamenting no new Oasis like device?
Everything comes with some compromises. The Kobo Libra 2 is a nice Oasis-style device, but it doesn’t feel premium at all. There’s also the higher-end Kobo Sage, which is nicer than the Libra 2, but it’s still not on the same level as the Oasis with the metal casing and it also has poor battery life. PocketBook has released a bunch of new ereaders over the past year and they have page buttons and pretty nice designs. However, as I mentioned in a recent article, their font choices aren’t very good and the software can be a bit slow to respond at times, though it’s gotten better. Neither of those brands support Kindle ebooks so that’s going to open up a new can of worms. The Boox Page looks like a nice Oasis clone too, and it runs Android so you can install the Kindle app, but the experience isn’t going to be a smooth as using an actual Kindle.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t come as a surprise. I had Kobo Sage for a while. It is a pretty good option if someone looking for an e-reader with a large screen but doesn’t want the Kindle Scribe.
I love my Kobo Sage! I need a larger screen, the Oasis 2 is passable, but feels cramped at the larger font sizes I need, where Sage is perfect!
I plan to hold on to the Oasis 2 until it drops. Hopefully Amazon will present another similar option at some point. I do wish my Oasis 2 had the warm light, but not enough to spend the money to upgrade.
I’m surprised that Amazon hasn’t pushed into the colour e-ink market. A colour screen Scribe would be ideal for comics, PDF’s etc.
I have had just about every kindle and the Oasis is the best I have owned. The page turn buttons are excellent! I do hope they upgrade! I’m willing to pay more for the buttons!