Amazon’s Kindle Scribe is taking the popular e-book reader in a new direction.
With the biggest e-ink screen ever on a Kindle, you can now use the stylus to jot down ideas and even add notes to books while you read.
We’ll show you how to set up and use your new Kindle Scribe.
A Quick Look at the Kindle Scribe Buttons and Ports
Unlike other tablets like the iPad, there isn’t a wealth of buttons and ports on the Kindle Scribe.
On the left side, you’ll find a power button right in the center of the device. Press to sleep or wake the device. To save even more battery, press the Power button for 9 seconds until the power dialog appears. Then you have to tap on Screen Off.
Below that is the USB-C charging port. Unlike other Kindles, like the Paperwhite Signature, there’s no wireless charging capability.
But you don’t have to worry too much about charging, the Kindle Scribe can last for weeks on a single charge.
Setting up the Kindle Scribe for the first time
After you unbox your Kindle Scribe, you’ll need to set it up. The process only takes a few minutes.
You can complete the process directly on the Kindle Scribe or even use the Amazon Kindle app for iOS or Android.
During this process, you’ll download any necessary updates, connect the device to your Amazon account, enter Wi-Fi credentials, and even sign up for a Goodreads account to get the best book recommendations.
Understanding Basic Pen and Premium Pen
A big part of the experience is using the included stylus to write on the Kindle Scribe screen. When purchasing a device, you can choose from two options.
Basic pen is standard with the device. It requires no setup, and you’ll never have to charge it. When not in use, it attaches magnetically to the edge of the Kindle Scribe.
For a bit more, you can upgrade to a premium pen. That model offers the same features as the original model with two distinctive features.
A dedicated eraser on the end of the stylus allows you to erase written content on the screen. A shortcut button allows you to switch between pen, highlighter, and more. To configure which shortcut you want to activate, go to More > Settings > Stylus > Shortcut button and select Tools.
If you plan to do a lot of writing and note-taking with the Kindle Scribe, the premium pen may be the best option. But the good news is that the higher end option is later available to buy on its own.
Navigating the Kindle Scribe
Like other models in the Kindle line, the Kindle Scribe interface is designed to be simple and easy to navigate.
At the bottom of the screen is a navigation bar with four options to choose from—Home, Library, Notebooks, and More. Home will obviously take you back to the Kindle Scribe’s home screen which displays your recent items and allows you to search for recent books.
For all your eBooks, visit the Library section. In the center of the navigation bar is the icon for the last book or document you read. Just select it for quick access to that content.
Notebook is the hub of all your written notes. You can create both notebooks and folders for better organization. Finally, in More, you’ll find your Reading List, GoodReads, Web Browser, and Settings, among many other options.
The Quick Settings menu is accessible at any time by swiping down from the top of the screen.
As the name suggests, you will find a number of settings that you can change instantly with a quick touch. Some of the options include Airplane Mode, Bluetooth, Dark Mode, Screen Brightness, and Screen Warmth. The warm light on the Kindle Scribe can help you sleep better if you read before bed.
There’s also an option to access the entire Settings menu.
Using the Notebooks Section of Your Kindle Scribe
As we mentioned, one of the ways to write on the screen is in the Notebook section. To get started, select Notebook from the bottom navigation bar. Select the + in the upper right corner and choose Create Notebook.
Next, you’ll name the notebook and choose from a variety of template options. Some options include a plain wide-regular piece of paper, a to-do list, a calendar, and even a piece of sheet music.
A toolbar on the left side of the notebook provides several tools such as pen, highlighter, and eraser. You can also choose Undo and Redo options. To move the toolbar to the other side of the paper, click the three dots at the bottom.
An upward-facing arrow at the top of the toolbar will collapse it and highlight only the current tool.
Tap the top of the screen to see more notebook options and information. You can change the page template and share the results directly from Kindle Scribe via email.
Once you’ve created multiple pages, you can organize them into folders. To create a notebook, in the same menu, choose Create Notebook.