I’ve been testing some of the best ereaders for a few years now and I’m always on the lookout for great Kindle deals when Amazon Prime Day comes calling. This October, though, I’m a little surprised to see that most of the best Kindles are no longer available to buy on Amazon… at any price – they’re just gone! Except for the Kindle Scribe which, thankfully, has received a noteworthy Prime discount.
It’s not as good as the AU$349 (34%) price drop we saw on the 16GB model back in July, but it’s still a decent 27% off.
The one thing that I find a little cumbersome when using the Kindle Scribe as an ereader is turning pages. That’s mostly because I like reading curled up on the couch or in bed and holding the tablet in one hand. I’ve long considered buying a remote device that could turn the pages for me instead of me extending a finger to tap the screen each time, and this unbranded RF page-turner has caught my attention.
Where have all the Kindles gone?
I have theory as to why there aren’t any other Kindle ereaders available to buy directly from Amazon – I suspect the online retail giant is gearing up for a major overhaul of the Kindle range.
There’s was a leaked listing of a new green Kindle recently, but it was only the base model and it was supposed to have been announced the week of September 30. We’re almost into the middle of October and there’s still no official word, but big brands have been known to discontinue old models to make way for the new, which could explain the current shortage.
I haven’t heard a single whisper about a new Kindle Paperwhite or an updated Oasis, but if they’re gone too, it’s highly likely we’ll get a few new Kindles. Take Kobo as an example – the Japanese-Canadian ereader maker launched three new models in 2024 – so why not Amazon too?
For my part, I really want to see a new Kindle Oasis – I loved that ereader and gave it away when I got hold of the Kindle Scribe (there are only so many ereaders a person needs). That gorgeous metallic body, the asymmetric design that was ergonomic yet sleek and, of course, the dedicated page turn buttons that were wonderfully smooth.
Instead of getting carried away reminiscing about my time with the Oasis, I think I’ll just start daydreaming about what’s to come. That said, take my theory about brand-new Kindles with a pinch of salt – that’s all it really is, a theory, but it’s one that I really hope is proven right real soon.