I think a device with an e-ink display and a limited version of iOS would be really useful. Does the existence of the Kindle Scribe increase the chances that Apple will release one?

Daheck is a Kindle Scribe? They'd have to hear about it, to have it influence iPad design.

I wish they would, but I highly doubt that Apple is going after this market

rui no onna said:

Too niche.

And already covered by a number of options.

FreakinEurekan said:

Daheck is a Kindle Scribe? They'd have to hear about it, to have it influence iPad design.

It just released. A 10.2" Kindle with note-taking capabilities.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BS26B8B

While I like eink devices I don’t think that Apple has any interest in that market. Their usual iPad offerings probably sell a multitude of the e-readers out there.

No. Large e-ink tablets (including ones running Android) have been around for years.

E-ink ipad feels a lot more restrictive than what we have now. For example you would not be able to play game or watch video very well on e-ink screen.

There is no way in the world Apple would make a device with an e-ink display. Due to its limited functionality, it flies in the face of Apple's general philosophy of having devices that can do many different things.

This is coming from someone who has a Kindle Paperwhite. I don't really like supporting Amazon, but they make the best e-ink devices for the price. I looked around a few months ago and there isn't really a comparison, not when it comes to the combination of features and price.

rui no onna said:

Too niche.

And probably too little profit. It likely wouldn't be able to run apps, for one.

No. The kindle was out years before the first iPad and Apple have never felt the need to make an eink device.

reddeliciousapple said:

I think a device with an e-ink display and a limited version of iOS would be really useful. Does the existence of the Kindle Scribe increase the chances that Apple will release one?

Would I buy such a device? Absolutely yes.
Would Apple make such a device? Absolutely not.

I've had my eye on an e-ink tablet for 6 months or so. The Remarkable 2 was at the top of the list but because they required a monthly subscription to utilize features like cloud syncing, I scratched that off the list. They have since changed their policy and now those features are available for free... so it's back on the list.

But the price (for all e-ink tablets) is still unreasonably high given what they are, IMO. I suspect some of that is due to the cost of manufacturing compounded by the low sales volumes, but can also reflect the niche nature of these devices.

When the Kindle Scribe was announced, I was excited because Amazon does a great job of picking and choosing a small function set that allows their devices to do a surprising amount of things. Anyone who has seen my threads here on MR about the Fire tablets will agree. (For years, the Fire HD 10 had more productivity features than even the iPad Pros had prior to iOS 16)

But the Scribe is inconsistent in how it handles PDFs and the notebook software is extremely basic. Because I have a hard-and-fast rule of never buying hardware on the future promise of what it COULD do only what it DOES do, I'm considering purchasing it with the expectation that it is a highly limited function e-ink tablet. (probably wait for a Prime Day sale)

But with Amazon entering this space, it DOES change the landscape. It will be interesting to see what the other manufacturers do (if anything) in response.

In the meantime, I've been experimenting with the Accessibility grayscale color filter setting on my 9th gen iPad. That, along with the matte screen protector, offer the closest experience (though still lightyears away) to an e-ink tablet.

My experience has been a mixed bag... but enlightening.

I too wish for such a device

But no , it’s not going to happen

Maybe , maaybe when the tech is mature enough , in 15 years , then we’ll see

They will not, and I think the evidence is in the Apple Watch Ultra. Apple considered the hardcore fitness market to be pretty niche for a number of years, with companies like Garmin putting out watches equivalent to Kindle e-ink tablets: limited functionality that allows for incredible battery life. Apple could have gone this route with the Ultra, but instead went harder the other direction and made an Apple Watch on steroids.

Even Kindle waited years to break into the larger e-ink tablet market. For 98% of customers, a regular iPad is still the far better option.

I have a ReMarkable 2 and use it instead of paper notebooks. While I would prefer to do everything I do on it on my iPad, the extreme battery life of the ReMarkable and the portability (very thin and light weight) keep me using it as a replacement for paper notebooks.

But I love the ability to include screenshots and all the other functions in programs like Notability, Liquid Text, etc in my notes when I'm using the iPad. So if the battery life were better on the iPad and it didn't weigh so much, it would win as my only note-taking device hands down.

I'm intrigued by the Kindle Scribe, because I have a huge Kindle library. But not being able to write directly in the text on the Scribe is what's holding me back there. May as well use the Kindle app on my iPad.

Can't have everything in one device!

IJBrekke said:

Even Kindle waited years to break into the larger e-ink tablet market. For 98% of customers, a regular iPad is still the far better option.

There was a 9.7" Kindle DX before but Amazon discontinued that line.

rui no onna said:

There was a 9.7" Kindle DX before but Amazon discontinued that line.

And it still has a loyal following.... though that might change a little with the introduction of the Scribe... except for those who like the option of hardware buttons for page turning.

I don't think they would release an iPad with e-ink. iPads are more designed to hit the wide ranging market and e-ink is mostly for reading comfort. Don't get me wrong I love my Kindle, but I can't even imagine a iPad using that tech or a release of a niche market product from the get go. For an example, look what happened to the iPhone mini series as it sold well to the niche market users, but not enough to keep producing the product.

cthompson94 said:

I don't think they would release an iPad with e-ink. iPads are more designed to hit the wide ranging market and e-ink is mostly for reading comfort. Don't get me wrong I love my Kindle, but I can't even imagine a iPad using that tech or a release of a niche market product from the get go. For an example, look what happened to the iPhone mini series as it sold well to the niche market users, but not enough to keep producing the product.

Lol, and I'm betting the iPhone mini sold more than all Kindles combined within the same period.

rui no onna said:

Lol, and I'm betting the iPhone mini sold more than all Kindles combined within the same period.

Most Kindles are watereproof (and cheaper). So there's that.

sracer said:

And it still has a loyal following.... though that might change a little with the introduction of the Scribe... except for those who like the option of hardware buttons for page turning.

Never managed to get a DX because it was never officially on sale in the UK. The first kindle we got here was the kindle keyboard (3rd gen). I pre-ordered the kindle scribe and got it at launch. Been using it for a few weeks now. It’s good for what it is. I was under no illusions as to what it could and couldn’t do. I already have iPads so I wasn’t expecting it to replace or compete with that. I’ve been aware of the other e-ink tablets for a while but I have far too many kindle books, been collecting since 2010 so those aren’t really an option for me. As much as the note taking capabilities are very basic it’s all I need for the odd occasion I need to take notes. I prefer the feel of the scribe pen on the eink screen to my Apple Pencil on the glass iPad screen. I bought it mostly as a large reader so the note taking capabilities are a bonus.

Shanghaichica said:

Never managed to get a DX because it was never officially on sale in the UK. The first kindle we got here was the kindle keyboard (3rd gen). I pre-ordered the kindle scribe and got it at launch. Been using it for a few weeks now. It’s good for what it is. I was under no illusions as to what it could and couldn’t do. I already have iPads so I wasn’t expecting it to replace or compete with that. I’ve been aware of the other e-ink tablets for a while but I have far too many kindle books, been collecting since 2010 so those aren’t really an option for me. As much as the note taking capabilities are very basic it’s all I need for the odd occasion I need to take notes. I prefer the feel of the scribe pen on the eink screen to my Apple Pencil on the glass iPad screen. I bought it mostly as a large reader so the note taking capabilities are a bonus.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your thoughts on the Scribe. I value your opinion so this is very helpful for me. My anticipated use cases seem like they'll fit in with the current capabilities of the Scribe. Given the build quality the Scribe, it is a pretty good value IMO (even with the limited functionality compared to the competition). It's the cheapest way for me to see just how well a full e-ink note taker will work for me.

Rafterman said:

Most Kindles are watereproof (and cheaper). So there's that.

The newer ones at least (only Oasis used to have it before followed by PW4).

I use the PW4 beach/poolside. Works super great under direct sunlight. Plus, I got mine for $65 during mother's day sale with Amazon Prime CC cash back so not a big loss if something happens to it.

Feels like the PW4 on 5.10 has shorter battery life compared to my PW3 on 5.9, though.

rui no onna said:

There was a 9.7" Kindle DX before but Amazon discontinued that line.

And broke it as well. Not only can’t update it, can’t even load kindle books.