Its not often I am an early adopter of new technology but a coloured e-reader or Kindle has been something that has been on my own technology wish-list for several years. Finally this year through Kobo with its Clara and Libra Color (colour from here on out). I am well entrenched in the Amazon ecosystem and due to my vast library and pretty much positive experience I am happy to stay there too.
I will say that prior to a colour reader from Amazon, the Kobo did catch my eye and I was almost going to get one but decided to wait. They look a fun device but for me it is missing the certain something and it looks not as premium or well made as a Kindle (no joke intended). Also I have searched for many books I own on Kindle on the Kobo store and not found them available so that was another mark against the Kobo.
Then Amazon announced the Kindle Colorsoft and my dream came true… Then it came out and was what people feared it to be a rushed product that was blighted by issues since launching. Notably a yellow band across the screen and (something common to both Kobo and Kindle) dead pixels. Due to the backlash and negative feedback the device has been limited in availability and taken off shelves up until just before Christmas (typically when all presents have been decided and bought).
I decided I deserved a New Years gift and it was in stock so on the 4th January I ordered it expecting it the 7th and to my surprise it arrived on the 5th and dear reader… She is beautiful! Is she perfect? No, but we can overlook all that.
It was with baited breathe I waited for the delivery and opened it, having read reviews and posts and seeing other peoples experiences I was expecting at least a hint of yellow banding but to my surprise it is perfect. No yellowing or dead pixels at all.
I have been using it for a few days now and I have to say I am pretty impressed with it so far. It is not perfect but it is a wonderful step into the World of Colour and e-readers.
Price
It is an expensive piece of kit? Worth it? That is subjective and for me yes it is worth it and I will enjoy using this device and get value from it and many years of use. I expect it to be another 2 or 3 years before a second coloured Kindle. Given the amount of issues with QC I would not keep a premium product at this price point unless it was 100% perfect. I wouldn’t settle if it was just a little yellow etc.
Screen
With the new technology going into this, it is going to look a little different to the previous models of Kindle, it is a completely new technology. The screen looks papery, not as crisp and clear as a normal Kindle but not too bad either. Looks a bit like thin tracing paper laid over the screen.
Colour is where this shines and compared to Kobo it looks a lot more vivid and clear and less ghosting when zooming. The implementation of the technology has been superior in Kindle. The colours pop nicely and compared to the greyscale normal of the kindle the colours do make a difference. Contrast is where it is let down as it is very dark and renders the colours not too good especially the darker it is. I do prefer my brightness up. How the screen is affected by the sun I don’t know yet and haven’t tried (UK here!).
Images are not glossy like a magazine, similar to a news paper, if you want vivid images read on a tablet with Kindle App.
I did expect more from it and the lock screen, it is cool to see the cover and in colour but like all Kindles the lock screen isn’t backlit so you don’t really see the colour. If there are future devices I would love to see a wake function for the lock screen where the screen can brighten and show off the cover without opening the Kindle.
Performance
Excellent performance, feels more snappy and quicker. Not had any issues with anything especially once all the indexing was completed. No stuttering or ghosting encountered.
Other
I do have the Jade vegan case to go with the Kindle, my first Aamazon case having only ever used third party cases and if feels good quality and well made. Certainly feels a premium product to go with the Colorsoft.
A big negative is that with the generation of Kindles (possibly the last too) Amazon has done away with the “Download and Transfer” feature for the new models. Which means you can no longer download a copy of your purchased titles to transfer via USB. It still works for older models but not the new ones. To use this feature you need an older Kindle. As someone with a vast digital library this a very poor decision. I like to download and back up a copy for my own personal use. I can see in a way why they do this to combat privacy but in today’s digital world where lots of things whether it be a PS5 game, music track, movie or e-book are online only, we don’t really own a copy but a license. They only exist as long as the server and store wish to provide it and books do get removed regularly when a new edition of publisher comes out with a copy. Just something to keep in mind and if the new Kindles are your first and only then you’re unable to transfer any of your purchases.
Overall
A great device and addition to the Kindle and e-reader family but a device that can be so much more. For the first one it is an admirable effort and hopefully can be built upon and do more with it. Imagine a Kindle Scribe Colour or a Kindle Oasis Colour? Would that be more making the Kindle a tablet and too similar to a Fire tablet? Where do you draw the line? For me some slight adjustments to this and you have a perfect reader. The same screen technology with the Scribe = perfect. Perhaps an illumination feature for the lock screen to show off the book covers. Perhaps too the long requested buttons? Could also have a toggle for Colour/B&W? So many possibilities.
All in all a great product and certainly a base to build from.
Valley Reviews 