Kindle Paperwhite vs PocketBook InkPad

2024. Pocketbook is now a co-owner of Bigme



Over the past year, Pocketbook has been working on a significant deal and has now become a substantial shareholder and co-owner of Bigme, a Chinese brand known for its e-readers and e-notebooks with E INK screens. This marks Pocketbook's first major acquisition since they began releasing e-readers in 2012. The collaboration extends beyond ownership, involving active participation in mutual product development and cross-sharing of R&D teams. This partnership has already yielded the successful PocketBook InkPad EO, designed for the US and European markets, showcasing the integration of their strengths and expertise. The future potential of this collaboration is highly anticipated.


2023. Pocketbook unveiled its first e-note - Pocketbook InkPad X Pro



Pocketbook has introduced its first e-note, the Pocketbook InkPad X Pro, specifically crafted for digital note-taking. This innovative product is tailored for note-taking, freehand drawing and PDF file editing due to its incorporation of a WACOM screen. The package includes a novel jet-black stylus with an eraser, boasting an impressive 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Nevertheless, the device is also compatible with third-party styluses. The highlight of the device is its 10.3-inch E INK Mobius display, which contributes to its lightweight design. Boasting a resolution of 1404×1872 pixels at 227 PPI, the screen is also capacitive, enabling users to employ finger gestures like pinch-to-zoom, tapping and page-turning swipes. Convenient manual page-turn buttons, a home button and settings button are situated at the device's bottom. Notably, this marks the company's first foray into the Android product realm, as all their previous offerings have been based on Linux. Anticipated to be released in late September, the InkPad X Pro will be priced at $420.00.


2023. Dark Mode is now available on new Pocketbook e-readers



Dark mode is now an option on the Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook InkPad 4 and Pocketbook InkPad Color 2. This addition comes with the latest 6.8 firmware update that is accessible today. Along with dark mode, the update includes various other new features and improvements such as customizable control panel settings, additional filter options in the Notes app, a text suggestions feature and more. In the near future, these enhancements will be made available for other Pocketbook models as well. Utilizing dark mode on your PocketBook device can enhance your reading experience in low-light conditions and during nighttime. This mode adjusts the display settings, showing white text on a dark background, which reduces contrast with the surrounding darkness and minimizes eye strain. Additionally, when reading in dark mode, you have the option to invert book illustrations if desired.


2023. Kindle Paperwhite gets new Kindle Scribe features



Amazon has rolled out a fresh firmware update, labeled as version 5.16.2.1, for the 7th generation Kindle, 11th generation Kindle Paperwhite and the Signature edition. To obtain and install the update, users can navigate to the settings menu and check for available updates. In case the update is not yet accessible in a particular region, it is expected to be released within the next few weeks. The update incorporates a range of Kindle Scribe features, including drawing, notebook management and sticky notes. However, these features are presently disabled and non-functional. This deliberate decision by Amazon enables them to maintain a unified code base for both their e-readers and the Kindle Scribe. Consequently, whenever an update is released for one model, it can be applied to all of them simultaneously.


2023. Pocketbook Inkpad 4 gets 7.8-inch screen


Pocketbook announced the release of a new ereader called the Pocketbook Inkpad 4. It has a 7.8-inch E Ink Carta 1200 screen and a frontlight with temperature control. It has 32GB of storage space, built-in speakers for audiobooks and text-to-speech and it’s waterproof with an IPX8 rating. Other specs for the PocketBook InkPad 4 include a USB-C port, a rotation sensor, a dual-core processor, it has WiFi and Bluetooth and it has a 2000mAh battery. The overall design of the PocketBook InkPad 4 looks quite nice, though, with similar characteristics to the design of the PocketBook Era, which is actually really nice all except for the horribly washed-out screen. The newer E Ink Carta 1200 screens have better contrast, but it doesn’t matter when they add a cloudy flush front layer over the top of it.


2023. Pocketbook 6.7 firmware update adds audio pronunciation



Pocketbook has launched a new firmware update for the Inkpad 3, Inkpad Color and Touch HD 3. What are the significant new features? Users can now initiate audio pronunciation in the dictionary and translations can be saved to the device and exported. Additionally, there is enhanced functionality for improved page borders in CBR, CBZ and PDF files. Other updates include a larger pressure area for easier navigation of footnotes (links) in books, more precise page margins in scrollable PDF files and refined note list sorting algorithms.


2023. Amazon releases new colors and covers for the Kindle Paperwhite



Amazon has just introduced two new colors for the Kindle Paperwhite: Denim and Agave Green. These new shades will be available for both the 16GB Kindle Paperwhite and the 32GB Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. Alongside the new color options, Amazon is also launching an Agave Green leather and fabric cover to complement the Agave Green device. You might remember that Amazon unveiled a 16GB Kindle Paperwhite — in addition to the existing 8GB version — last fall, providing customers with the option of more storage so they can carry even more books while on the go. Building on this, the Kindle team aimed to add some vibrant colors to a customer favorite.


2022. Kindle Paperwhite is now available with 16GB of storage



Amazon has introduced the option to get a standard Kindle Paperwhite with 16GB of storage, available with or without advertisements. Priced at $149, the 16GB Kindle Paperwhite costs $10 more than the 8GB model. Amazon has previously increased storage on Kindles without raising the price, so this seems like a tactic to charge an additional $10 for a Paperwhite with extra storage that most users might not require. Interestingly, the new basic Kindle, now featuring 16GB of storage, is priced at just $99. It appears somewhat absurd for Amazon to offer a “upgraded” Paperwhite model with only 8GB of storage for $139, making the addition of a 16GB option more understandable.


2021. Amazon launches Kindle Paperwhite for kids



Amazon has introduced the Kindle Paperwhite Kids. It is essentially the same as the standard Kindle Paperwhite but with software enhancements designed to make it more suitable for children. A significant advantage of the latest generation Kindle Paperwhite Kids is its IPx8 rating, which Amazon claims makes the new Paperwhite resistant to accidental water exposure—an important feature for a device intended for kids. The e-reader also includes Vocabulary Builder and Word Wise, which can be useful tools for children to improve their English language skills. Additionally, it supports the Open Dyslexic font, which is preferred by many individuals with dyslexia. The Paperwhite Kids comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, providing access to over a thousand eBooks and Audible audiobooks for children.


2021. New PocketBook InkPad Lite 970 has cheap 9.7-inch E Ink Screen



PocketBook has introduced a new e-reader featuring a 9.7-inch E Ink Carta display, named the PocketBook InkPad Lite. It’s essentially a budget-friendly e-reader with a large screen, slated for release in autumn 2021. The price is rumored to be $299, making it the most affordable large-screen e-reader on the market by about $50. The PocketBook InkPad Lite is somewhat unusual in 2021 because PocketBook chose to use a low-cost display with the same 1200 x 825 resolution that 9.7-inch E Ink screens had over a decade ago. This results in a resolution of only 150 ppi. Even the Likebook P10 offers a better screen with 200 ppi and is just about $50 more expensive, featuring an upgraded quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM and a more versatile Android OS.


2020. Pocketbook Inkpad 3 gets a brand new UI



Pocketbook has released a major update for its popular model InkPad 3. The update features an improved UI design across all applications. Notifications, the control panel and the status bar have also been redesigned. Firmware 6.1 rethinks and streamlines the authorization system: users can now access PocketBook Cloud, PocketBook Store, Send-to-PocketBook and ReadRate services with a single account. Additionally, users can log into their account via smartphone using the PocketBook app by scanning a QR code. New book formats CBR and CBZ have been introduced to support comic reading. The updated Notes application enables users to view, edit, add comments to notes and transfer notes to other devices. Furthermore, all your records are now consolidated in one place, making them easier to locate.


2020. Amazon issues new update for Kindle Paperwhite 3



Amazon has finally upgraded the Kindle Paperwhite 3 with all the new features it previously lacked. The model hadn't received a firmware update since December and was widely rumored to be discontinued. One of the new enhancements is an improved search experience, making it easier to navigate your search results within the book without losing your place. To use it, simply search for a term in your book and tap on a search result. They have also refreshed the Page Flip feature, which now displays recently read pages as dots on the progress bar, including your most recent page read from another device. If you have a FreeTime Unlimited subscription, children will see a new layout, enhanced search, book details and Audible support. In supported regions, kids with access to Amazon FreeTime Unlimited will see rows of recommended eBook and Audible content that are suitable for their age.


2020. Amazon has ended support for the Kindle Paperwhite 3



Amazon has discontinued support for the Kindle Paperwhite 3 and the e-reader will not receive any further firmware updates. The only exception would be if Amazon updates their Kindle Whispersync program and Kindle Store with a new version of TLS. The 7th generation Kindle Paperwhite 3 was one of Amazon’s most successful e-readers. It was released in 2015 and was heavily promoted for four years before being succeeded by the Kindle Paperwhite 4 in late 2018. The last firmware update for the PP3 was in 2019 and it is currently running version 5.12.2, while all the other modern Kindles are on version 5.13.1.


2020. You can now delete Kindle Books directly from Kindle



Until now, the only way to delete an ebook from your Kindle e-reader was to log in to your account via the Amazon website and remove the book there. With the 5.12.5 firmware update, you can now completely delete an ebook from your entire Amazon account directly on the Kindle. Simply go to My Library, find the title you want to remove and press and hold the cover art for two seconds. This will prompt a confirmation window asking you to confirm the deletion process. Once the removal is complete, the book will be entirely gone from your Amazon account and the title will no longer appear in the cloud section. If you accidentally delete the wrong book, you will need to purchase it again.


2020. Kindle ereaders get new font menu system



Amazon has released a new firmware update (5.12.4) with a revamped Aa menu for all recent Kindles. It provides users with increased flexibility and control over their reading experience. Essentially, Amazon has reorganized the menu and combined some of the additional settings into one section, eliminating the need to navigate through various menus or sub-menus. When you access the Aa menu on the Kindle now, you'll find several sections: Themes, Font, Layout and more. The first section, called Themes, allows you to create custom themes or choose from several presets like Standard, Compact and Large. The Font menu includes a dropdown for selecting fonts, with slider bars to adjust the font's boldness or size. With fewer font options on the screen, more text is visible in the book you're reading, which helps you see how the font settings look as you adjust them.


2019. Amazon heavily discounts the Kindle Paperwhite 4



Amazon has recently reduced the price of the Kindle Paperwhite 4 by $30. You can buy the basic 8GB model for $99 and the 32GB Wi-Fi version for $129. If you're looking for an e-reader with 4G/LTE connectivity, Amazon has slashed the price of this variant by $40, making it available for $209. This offer is exclusively for US customers. The Kindle Paperwhite 4 is water-resistant and features access to the Audible audiobook store. You can listen to audiobooks using wireless headphones or a portable speaker. The display is completely flush with the bezel, making it easier to turn pages using swipes and gestures.


2018. The new Kindle Paperwhite is thinner and waterproof



Kindle Paperwhite has received several upgrades that will provide users with a more premium experience while maintaining the device’s starting price at $130. Waterproofing is the most notable among the upgrades. The reader features an IPX8 rating, meaning it can be submerged in two meters of water for up to an hour. Like the Oasis before it, this model has a flush front, unlike the raised bezels found on older, less expensive models. This design change gives the device a more premium feel and should help prevent water from penetrating its circuits. It also contributes to making this the thinnest and lightest Paperwhite yet. Another significant update is the increase from four LEDs to five. While it may seem minor, this enhancement helps maintain more uniform front lighting across the board, compared to the more uneven lighting of previous models.


2018. Pocketbook e-Readers get gesture controls



Pocketbook has released a new firmware update for the Aqua 2, InkPad 3 and Touch HD e-readers that introduces gesture controls for adjusting the brightness of the front-lit display and color temperature. While reading an eBook, you can swipe your finger up or down on the left side of the screen to increase or decrease the light intensity. This feature is available whether the e-reader is in portrait or landscape mode. Other enhancements include smoother page scaling with gestures in PDF or DjVu format books, more accurate word selection for note-taking and the option to toggle the position sensor on and off via the settings menu.


2018. Kindle adds new search features



Amazon has rolled out a new firmware update for all Kindles released in the past five years. The in-book search now includes results from your notes and highlights and a clock is now displayed at the top of the screen while you’re reading. You can turn it off in the settings menu. Update 5.9.4 should be distributed to all Kindles in the next few days and will automatically install when the device is in sleep mode. You will likely see a restart the next time you use it, along with a notification window that informs you of the new updates.


2016. Pocketbook Announces the InkPad 2



Pocketbook InkPad 2 is a new e-reader that was just unveiled today. This device boasts an 8-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1,200 x 1,600 pixels. It includes a front-lit screen and physical page-turn buttons. The InkPad 2 is equipped with a 1 GHz processor and 512 MB of RAM. It has 4 GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 32 GB with a Micro SD card. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack is likely to attract users, as it allows for listening to audiobooks and music. This e-reader will be available soon for 199 Euros.