Kindle Scribe vs Kobo Elipsa

2023. Kobo releases new update focused on note-taking



Kobo has recently released a firmware update primarily focused on the Kobo Elipsa, introducing several enhancements for note-taking. These updates include the addition of new templates for notes, such as musical sheets and calligraphy, along with the ability to search handwritten notes within a Notebook. In Basic Notebooks, users can now create precise shapes by drawing and holding the pen in place, allowing for the conversion of drawn circles into perfect circles, for instance. Furthermore, the update introduces the Lasso feature in Basic Notebooks, enabling users to move, delete, copy, resize and convert their handwritten notes into typed text. Users can now conveniently organize their notebooks using folders and safeguard them by enabling the Notebook Backup feature, which saves them on the Kobo Cloud for easy access on kobo.com/notebooks. Moreover, in Advanced Notebooks, it is now possible to adjust line spacing and highlight text using the stylus button. Lastly, the update includes the addition of a brightness icon within Notebooks for improved visibility.


2023. Kindle Scribe can now convert handwritten notes to text



Kindle Scribe has recently received the latest firmware update and one notable feature of this update is the ability to convert handwritten notebooks into text when exporting them. This allows users to conveniently edit and share their notebooks with friends, family, or colleagues via email. Within the Share menu, customers now have the options to "Convert to text and quick send" or "Convert to text and email" their standalone notebook as a .txt file. With the latter option, users can preview, review and make edits to the converted text before sending it to up to 5 email addresses. Additionally, the new firmware introduces the lasso select tool, which can be used in notebooks, sticky notes and PDFs uploaded to the Kindle library via the "Send to Kindle" feature. Furthermore, there are improvements in PDF reading capabilities and a wider selection of books and titles that support direct on-page writing.


2023. Kindle Scribe's notebook gets web-interface



Amazon has introduced a new feature that allows you to access your Notebooks from the Kindle Scribe on the Web. Your Notebooks automatically appear on the webpage when your Kindle Scribe syncs, without any additional steps. The webpage displays all your folders, subfolders and any notes added to them. To navigate through the notebook pages, you can use the mouse wheel or onscreen arrows. At the top right, there is a sync button to refresh the page, as well as a toggle to switch between list and grid view for the Notebooks. It's worth noting that the newest Notebooks are added to the bottom of the list, unlike the Scribe where they appear at the top. Perhaps sorting options will be added in the future. However, on the webpage, you can only view your notes and cannot edit or reorganize them. It's not possible to right-click and download them as images. Although you can save them as an HTML or PDF file, the functionality is not entirely reliable.


2023. Kindle Scribe now allows to send word documents to Kindle



Amazon recently unveiled numerous new features for its Amazon Kindle Scribe e-note, including the ability to Send to Kindle from Microsoft Word. This function allows users to send documents straight to their Kindle library and read and review them on any Kindle device. However, the feature is particularly useful on the Kindle Scribe, as it allows customers to add annotations directly to the documents. The update means that Microsoft 365 users with a personal, school, or work account can now utilize the Send to Kindle function in Microsoft Word on the desktop app. Those with free Microsoft accounts can access the feature through Word on the web. While Mac users will need to wait for a timeline to be released for Send to Kindle's compatibility with Word for Mac.


2023. Kobo Elipsa 2e adds some useful PDF features



Kobo has released a firmware update for the latest generation of their Kobo Elipsa 2e e-reader. The update includes enhancements to the device's PDF experience, such as the ability to remember the most recent zoom level and position when reopening a PDF. Additionally, the Kobo store now loads faster and allows for quicker browsing by tapping the bottom of the screen. Kobo has placed a strong emphasis on improving the book discovery experience, with recent updates making it more efficient and robust. The update also expands support for more languages, automatically applying new fonts when opening an eBook in languages such as Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Canadian Aboriginal, Devanagari, Greek, Hebrew, Korean, or Tamil. Overall, these improvements demonstrate Kobo's commitment to providing a better user experience for their customers.


2023. Kobo unveiled 2-generation Elipsa 2E e-note and e-reader



Kobo has announced their second-generation Elipsa 2E 10.3-inch e-note and e-reader. Compared to the previous model, it is 45% faster. Illumination has improved the front-light display with the brand-new Confortlight Pro lighting system, which is brighter. The Kobo Pen has been redesigned; it now has an eraser at the top and a single button on the side to do highlights; the pen nib is better to write with since it is 25% lighter. Your notes can now be saved to the Kobo Cloud and viewed on the Kobo website, allowing users to view content and email it to themselves or a 3rd party. Finally, the retail packaging and case are almost 100% recycled and the device itself is 80% and uses ocean-bound plastic.


2022. Kindle Scribe brings writing to Amazon’s popular e-reader



For the first time since the original Kindle was launched in late 2007, Amazon has introduced the ability to write directly on the device with a stylus. The new model, called Kindle Scribe, is priced at $340. This is a significant new feature for the product, though a few companies, such as Remarkable and Sony with their DPT-CP1 and DPT-RP1 models, have already pioneered this functionality. The device comes with its own stylus, which magnetically attaches to the side—similar to many tablets. The stylus does not require charging and uses EMR (electro-magnetic resistance), which means other styli may also work with the Scribe, though the company advises against this, stating that their stylus is specifically calibrated for use with the Kindle.


2021. Kobo Elipsa adds Audiobooks support



Kobo has introduced a new software update for their entire range of e-readers, both recent and older models. The most significant change with this update is the inclusion of audiobook support for the 10.3-inch Kobo Elipsa, which was released in June. This means that three of Kobo’s current devices now support audiobooks, including the new Kobo Libra 2 and Kobo Sage. Kobo updates are typically rolled out in phases, so you can either wait for the new firmware to automatically download and install during a sync, or it might take several weeks to receive the update.


2021. Kobo released Elipsa - 10.3 inch e-note and e-reader



Kobo is launching a new 10.3-inch e-reader and digital notepad device called the Kobo Elipsa. Priced at $399, it includes a sleepcover and a stylus. Kobo is promoting it more as a notepad than an e-reader, though it serves both functions. You can annotate eBooks and PDFs and it features a new note-taking app that supports importing and exporting to Dropbox. Notably, it seems to not use a Wacom touchscreen like many other digital notepads, which likely helps in keeping the cost lower. Kobo will be up against several established competitors in the e-note market, such as Sony, Onyx Boox, Boyue, Remarkable, Supernote and various Chinese brands like Hanvon and Bigme. The Kobo Elipsa’s competitive edge will be its Linux-based operating system, allowing it to operate with a quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM and a smaller battery.