Kindle Colorsoft

As you may have heard, Amazon is releasing its first color Kindle called the Kindle Colorsoft on October 30, 2024.

The device is a 7-inch tablet that use Kaleido 3 does not appear to be competing with Remarkable Paper Pro, but rather Kobo, who makes a color 7” called the Kobo Libra Colour. The Kobo Colour out in April 2024 and have been slowly converting Kindle readers to Kobo readers.

Further proof, the Kindle Scribe was Amazon’s as an answer to Kobo’s Kobo Elipsa, which is a 10” device for notetaking (but also the ability to read Kobo books).

Both the Kobo Libra and Colorsoft uses the same Kaleido 3, so depending on which device you buy, you’re going to be locked into the Amazon or Kobo ecosystem.

Originally I wasn’t going to get the Kindle Colorsoft, but looking over at my 1,500 Kindle Books, I’m reconsidering getting this… so I’ve come up with my top ten reasons why you may want to consider the Amazon Colorsoft:

#1 Access to your Amazon books

My number one complaint about the Remarkable Paper Pro is that I just can’t get books I purchased on my Amazon account on the RPP… not without going through some hoops. Since the Colosoft is a Kindle device, you just have your books ready to go.

#2 Glideview

Despite being a smaller 7” size, Amazon’s Glideview (which was originally developed by Comixology) will help you read comics, panel by panel.
Note: this only works with Western comic books, it does not work on Japanese or any books that reads right to left.

#3 Size and Weight

My main complaint about the Kindle Scribe is that it’s very heavy. You can’t really hold it with one hand for a long period of time. The 7” will be a lot better to hold and its smaller size can be toss in a bag to go.

#4 Price

Sure, right now it’s expensive at $279, but generally every Prime Day, this device is going to go on sale. It’ll be even cheaper once the Colorsoft 2 or a new color device comes out. Heck, with Black Friday coming up, you would half expect a sale.

#5 New Improved Kaleido 3

The new Boox Note Air 4c has “improved Kaleido 3 screen”, via boox.com. Using the front light, it looks brighter and richer, compared to last year’s Note Air 3c (which I’ve complained about the dark screen). I am assuming Amazon is using the latest Kaleido offering, so it should look a little better than previous Boox releases.

#6 Wireless Charging

I know this probably isn’t high on many lists, but it is on mine. That’s because I find it a chore to plug and plug a device. It’s very convenient to drop a device on a pad or stand and it just will automatically charge the device while it sits there. When you need it, you just grab and go, not having to worry if you remembered to plug it in. Since I switched to wireless charging on my phone, I never have to worry if my phone is charged or not.

#7 Waterproof

Imagine just reading in the bathtub or by the pool… or sitting in the rain. I don’t know, I like the idea that I can drop the Colorsoft in the toilet by accident and it’ll still work.

#8 Accessories

Amazon offers a wide variety of covers, anything from no frills to premium leather covers. On top of that, there’ll be a ton of third party with their various offerings.

#9 Ease of Use

The first time I bought a Kindle, I didn’t even need to log in, as soon as it connects to the internet, it automatically knew who I was and automatically had my books ready. That’s pretty neat.

#10 Availability

Amazon is always going to have the Colorsoft in stock and ready for delivery to your home in a day or two. However, what I’m more interested in is that this will probably be available to retailers, like Target or Walmart. Having said that, I know the Scribe is not available at retailers… I know because I tried to get a hands-on with it before I buy, but those stores don’t have them to sell.