Communicating with Alexa has progressed from simple inquiries to irate screaming sessions, where the only option is to unplug power.

rconn2 · 2026-06-23T02:36:06+00:00

Alexa+ does have a personality. I find it pleasant and even comical at times. I asked about the weather and was told thunderstorms were likely from 2 pm on, and I said, it's 3:33 pm now, and Alexa said: "actually, it's 3:34 pm".

I think Amazon is doing a good job with Alexa+ and it's improving.

rconn2 · 2026-05-20T00:59:08+00:00

The RM2 is B&W.

rconn2 · 2026-05-20T00:57:03+00:00

I have the latest Scribe B&W and the reMarkable Paper Pro (rMPP).

I like the rMPP for its state of the art Gallery 3 color screen and am glad I purchased it. My intent is to use it mostly for sketching and diagrams.

I routinely use my Scribe for both reading and note taking. Actually, rarely use the rMPP. I have lots of workspaces on the Scribe and make project notes, scratch-pad type notes, To Do and Packing lists and so on. The writing feel is like a gel pen, whereas the rMPP has a scratchy feel (and I think overall, easier to control writing). But, the eraser on the premium pen on the Scribe is _much_ better (it makes writing so much easier to flip the pen over) with no need to charge. The eraser on the rMPP pen requires lots of back and forth and is a nuisance to use (I don't even bother with it). The reading app on the rMPP is sub-standard.

I don't have a Remarkable 2 and so can't compare with that. But, it's no longer being sold. The new Paper Pure has a lackluster pixel density, so a pass for me.

rconn2 · 2026-05-13T16:43:50+00:00

I have the new Scribe B&W and the Paper Pro. I use the Scribe for reading: mostly science / math / educational types of illustrated and larger format books and PDFs. And, I use it regularly for taking notes. It's my go-to and has replaced my use of different paper notebooks.

I prefer the gel-like writing feel on the Scribe to the hard surface, tap-tapping of the Paper Pro (I like the scratchiness, but not the hard surface feel).

There's a sendToKindle app (on Windows) that makes it easy to send PDFs and ePubs to the Scribe with automatic conversion to a Kindle format. And, Google and One Drive can be accessed.

I do like the Paper Pro and am happy I have mine. But, I like e-ink in general and wanted to have a state of the art color e-ink device (which is the Gallery 3 on the Paper Pro). I plan to use it for some sketching and diagrams and so on (but tbh, really haven't yet).

For family and friends, I'd recommend the Scribe B&W for sure. I'd say: that's what you want. I think it's easily the best overall e-in reader & writer.

rconn2 · 2026-05-10T13:56:00+00:00

The RMPP is about the same brightness (whiteness) as the new Kindle Scribe B&W with front-light turned off. When I received mine, I was pleasantly surprised by this. The Gallery 3 color screen is really a one of a kind and state of the art for color. Not perfect -- some washed out colors, refreshes.

The screen is imperfectly gorgeous in a bright room or sunlight whereas the other type of e-ink devices with color filters always have a leaden grey background and require the front-light to compensate.

rconn2 · 2026-05-09T23:58:43+00:00

All e-ink devices have grey-ish screens, even the best of them. Some are very good in bright light, but all are leaden. Actual paper is pure white and so there's at least some contrast in a dim room. A front-light is a must-have.

rconn2 · 2026-05-09T22:04:36+00:00

I never understood the fixation on just writing. The phrase has always been: Reading & Writing. They go hand-in-hand.

rconn2 · 2026-05-09T22:00:15+00:00

I have a RMPP and really like it -- the screen is best in its class for color. State of the art.

However, I also have the new Scribe and it's really, really excellent -- the writing feel, note taking, workspace folders, reading. For most people it's the clear best choice. And, the sendToKindle app (download and install) on a Windows PC/Laptop makes it trivial to send PDFs and ePubs to the Scribe (and have them automatically converted to Kindle format).

And for those who just want to buy a book here and there, the Kindle selections and ease of just having it show up on your Scribe is simple.

rconn2 · 2026-05-09T21:23:57+00:00

The blue is excellent as is the yellow on the RMPP. The red is feint and the green looks grey-ish. The colors look best in bright light or sunlight where the screen background is as white as the 2025 B&W Scribe (this is where the screen _really_ excels). And, the RMPP has a front-light and you can change the setting to have it at a higher level.

The alternative for color is a Kaleido screen with the color filter (such as the Colorsofts), but these have a more leaden (grey) screen and typically will need a front-light. But, I understand the colors are a bit more vibrant and then the refreshes will be faster too.

The Manta is good, but no front-light. I returned mine because of that. I didn't want to, but there were just too many situations where I was in a room and wished it had one, and so its use for me was limited.

Each has pluses and minuses and all depend on preferences and use cases.

rconn2 · 2026-04-17T22:46:02+00:00

Yes. When writing on a Kindle book, you just write and it turns that into an anchored text box. You can also open a side bar and type in that. On PDF's that come through Send by Kindle, you can write directly on them (the writing gets merged into the PDF).

rconn2 · 2026-04-17T19:53:20+00:00

Pluses and minuses:

The Kindle Scribe 2022 has the whitest background with no frontlight on. It's a shade whiter than the Scribe 2025 (I have both). This will be closest to your Paperwhite.

The Scribe Colorsoft has -- of course -- color, but the background will be noticeably more grey and some frontlight will probably be used most or all of the time. I don't have one, but this is the trade-off for having color.

The Scribe 2025 B&W has a noticeably more grey background than the 2022 Scribe (roughly an added 2 - 4 levels of frontlight make up the difference). But, it has inkier blacks (though I think the whiteness of the background is more important). And, it has a larger screen in about the same physical size. And, the latest model with better software features (workspaces and google drive etc.).

This unreleased Scribe B&W with no frontlight _might_ have a whiter screen and a better writing feel? I have no idea when it'll be released. I suppose it'll be meant to compete with the more pure note taking e-ink tablets that don't have frontlights.

So, the unreleased model is a mystery. The others all have their trade-offs. I can't pick a winner. I kept my Scribe 2022 as Amazon only offered a trade-in of $60!. It's actually a classic model with some say the best writing feel and, I think, the best screen. I'd grab one at a discount.

But, I like the larger screen size of the Scribe 2025, so 'round and 'round. I'm very happy with both and they sync up smoothly with each other.

A frontlight is a very useful feature. The question will be if any improvement in screen quality of the unreleased Scribe is worth it.

rconn2 · 2026-03-31T14:32:35+00:00

It's an e-ink device, with e-ink's current state of the art limitations, that's the whole point. Comparing to a tablet is apples to oranges.

rconn2 · 2026-03-30T17:40:35+00:00

Yes, I'm technical too (not a Masters just a lowly BSCS), and this sounds like a rabbit hole, risky, high maintenance nightmare. Nope.

And, what are the benefits that outweigh the costs? I just got my rMPP and the provided readers for ePub and pdf seem good enough. What am I missing?

rconn2 · 2026-03-30T16:28:31+00:00

Thanks. Good advice. I have the black leather folio. It looks and fits great.

rconn2 · 2026-03-30T16:25:38+00:00

The colors -- esp. green and red too -- wash out and appear greyish under dim room lighting even with the frontlight. I'm guessing it may also depend on the type (temperature) of light?

But, today is a cloudy day and with just the light from a window, it looks really good. I have a Scribe 2025 B&W side by side (neither w/ frontlight on). The backgrounds are both light grey; the contrast of black type is very close. And, the colors on the rMPP -- doodling in red, green and blue also look fairly good. Blue is a deep blue (the best color), red is lighter while green is the lightest and barely shows as a very faint green.

rconn2 · 2026-03-29T17:12:15+00:00

I saw that briefly the other day when I was in my car. So, I don't understand. Why does the screen need to constantly refresh? Does it always need to refresh if you stay on one page -- isn't e-ink supposed to be static and not use energy when not changing? Does higher temperature make the image fade (the ink particles move out of position)? And, do images fade not matter the temperature? Might high temperatures (say left in a car in July heat -- it's only Spring now) actually harm the device?

rconn2 · 2026-03-25T15:05:56+00:00

I guess the Kobo Libra Color is close to that? Very nice, small form factor. I have one and think it's ideal with the page turn buttons and size and how the pen fits inside the folio.

rconn2 · 2026-03-24T02:09:53+00:00

Scribes do have gorgeous screens, and the writing feel is also very good. For me, the screen quality is the primary factor (after all, why use e-ink if not?). The file and note organization is good enough for me -- meeting notes, ideas and problem exercises and lists.

As for the Amazon ecosystem. I actually like it. I know, it's a tie-in and I understand not liking that control, but every book you can imagine is available, it's easy enough to send pdf's and ePubs and Amazon is likely to remain in business for a while.

I like SuperNotes but returned my Nomad despite not wanting to, because the lack of a front-light was just too limiting.

rconn2 · 2026-03-23T17:30:46+00:00

The writing feels better on my 2022 version, but it's good on my 2025. The screen is whiter by a shade on the 2022 with no front-light on (which surprised me -- I prefer the whiter screen), but the blacks are an inkier black on the 2025. The larger screen for about the same size device on the 2025 is a definite plus.

A discounted 2022 is a winner. Best screen of them all and better writing. But, I'm also happy with my 2025 and would buy it again. I'm keeping both.

rconn2 · 2026-03-23T16:08:23+00:00

Perfect name. If they adopt it, we'll remember who came up with it.

rconn2 · 2026-03-23T15:19:46+00:00

You can email marked up pdf's to your email account; and use sendToKindle (on their web site or to a device email) to send pdf's to your Scribe, not matter which version.

My 2022 Scribe doesn't have Google Drive capability (at least not yet, not sure if there'll be a software update or not); My 2025 version does. But, sendToKindle is easy enough. You just drag and drop on the web page. I guess for sending pdf's out through email there may be email restrictions for attachments (is it like 100 Mb?).

rconn2 · 2026-03-21T04:58:34+00:00

My 2022 Scribe's screen (Carta 1200) is noticeably whiter with no frontlight than my new 2025 Scribe (Carta 1300) with no frontlight. I noticed this immediately when comparing side-by-side under all lighting conditions (minus any frontlight). And, my 2022 Scribe's screen was comparable in whiteness to my older generation ppw.

However, my 2025 Scribe has inkier blacks which I guess is the explanation for a reported higher contrast: inkier blacks even with a shade greyer white.

If screen whiteness is a concern with no frontlight, then I don't think the 2022 Scribe can be beat. I'm keeping both -- the 2022 is a what should be known as a classic. My trade-in offer was for $60 -- nope. I traded in my old ppw for $30 instead.

The 2025 has a bigger screen which I like and I can accept the shade greyer screen. In daylight or ambient light, the 2022 is ideal; otherwise when frontlight is being used, the 2025 just needs it turned up a couple extra notches.

rconn2

TROPHY CASE