why doesn't the third version of a product use a frontlight like seen so much elsewhere? is it expensive? impossible? or is it plain marketing?

http://gbamedia.gamespy.com/gba/image/article/654/654407/backlit-game-boy-advance-sp-hands-on-20050928102243226.jpg

wh y doesn t the third version of a product use a frontlight like seen so much elsewhere? is it expensive? impossible? or is it plain marketing?

http://gbamedia.gamespy.com/gba/image/article/654/654407/backlit-game-boy-advance-sp-hands-on-20050928102243226.jpg

I can think of several reasons. First, if they try to implement a LightWedge style of frontlight, they'd have to license the tech from LightWedge. Second, if they don't use that tech, they'll have to invent their type - and that means whoever comes up with it can make all the others either have to come up with their *own* unique idea or pay a hefty licensing fee to that manufacturer.

Derek

Can such a lighting system be used with the larger surface area of the 800x600 readers without an obscene drain on the battery? I would imagine they would have to pump up the light output since the center of the screen would be much further away on a bigger device.

Can such a lighting system be used with the larger surface area of the 800x600 readers without an obscene drain on the battery? I would imagine they would have to pump up the light output since the center of the screen would be much further away on a bigger device.


Which is why I believe an after-market LightWedge-like add-on would be a better idea - or add a separate switch on the reader to *TURN OFF* a built-in front-light.

Derek

well, obviously it would need its own switch. It would be silly to keep it on at all times.

well, obviously it would need its own switch. It would be silly to keep it on at all times.

Maybe to the likes of you and me... But I've seen some *STRANGE* concept designs! I wouldn't put it past a manufacturer to 'forget' that *minor* detail. :smack:

Derek

ver y curiou s if the cybook people are reading over here to join.

i thin k it should be made so that when its sunny the light goes *ON* and when its really dark (but only when its *REALLY* dark), the light stays out. but that's in terms of a concept model only ofcoarse.

i thin k it should be made so that when its sunny the light goes *ON* and when its really dark (but only when its *REALLY* dark), the light stays out. but that's in terms of a concept model only ofcoarse.

Isn't that backwards? :blink:

i thin k it should be made so that when its sunny the light goes *ON* and when its really dark (but only when its *REALLY* dark), the light stays out. but that's in terms of a concept model only ofcoarse.

That is *SOOooo* Funny! That will be the model marketed to our vampire customers!

Yes, those of us who are 'mere mortals' will, by default, buy the other version. :D

Derek

i thin k it should be made so that when its sunny the light goes *ON* and when its really dark (but only when its *REALLY* dark), the light stays out. but that's in terms of a concept model only ofcoarse.

Let me guess... aren't you a Microsoft engineer? :tipsy:

<rant> I vote NEVER put a light on any eink device EVER.
I'm tired of this bleeding argument. I mean seriously we've been reading books that *ahem* don't have a light source for centuries.
I mean for FSM's sake, if you are one of the very small minority that need to read in the dark with out turning on another light source, please go out and buy a bloody lightwedge or torch.</rant>

THJahar,

While I don't much care about the lighting issue, it is obviously rather important to some. Yes, we've been reading printed books for 555 years now without built-in lighting. Then again, we've also been reading on some form of paper as well. By your logic, there's no need for an E-Ink device either. Progress isn't a bad thing. I think lighting will be a very nice feature for 3rd generation reader-sized devices.

I'm tired of this bleeding argument.That's the reason I don't much read the threads on DRM anymore (or the threads that have turned into such discussions). Others want to have them, let 'em, I just don't read 'em. :shrug:

<rant> I vote NEVER put a light on any eink device EVER.
I'm tired of this bleeding argument. I mean seriously we've been reading books that *ahem* don't have a light source for centuries.
I mean for FSM's sake, if you are one of the very small minority that need to read in the dark with out turning on another light source, please go out and buy a bloody lightwedge or torch.</rant>

Give that man a medal! :clap:

According to the leaked User's Manual, the Amazon Kindle will come with a detachable light source powered by 3 AAA batteries. Its advantage over 3rd party light sources is that it is held in place by built-in magnets and a custom slot in the reader. If this proves to be a popular feature, then presumably other vendors will do something similar in future readers. It could certainly be designed in, and then sold as an optional accessory (adding to revenue).

If this proves to be a popular feature, then presumably other vendors will do something similar in future readers. It could certainly be designed in, and then sold as an optional accessory (adding to revenue).

And then they'll start using DRM (Digital Radiance Management) to restrict who can read in the dark with which readers!

There. Two-for-one. Now everyone will stop reading.

There. Two-for-one. Now everyone will stop reading.:laugh4:

If you want to kill a discussion, all you have to do is make a reference to Hitler -- it's well known Web Forum Law that references to Hitler will kill a thread within 3 or 4 posts.

Hitler didn't have backlighting or DRM on his e-book reader either!

:laugh4:

If you want to kill a discussion, all you have to do is make a reference to Hitler -- it's well known Web Forum Law that references to Hitler will kill a thread within 3 or 4 posts.

Hitler didn't have backlighting or DRM on his e-book reader either!
He had people to read for him.

Read? I thought he only burned books .... :wink:

Read? I thought he only burned books .... :wink:
Somebody had to read them to know if they should be burned or not.

<rant> I vote NEVER put a light on any eink device EVER.
I'm tired of this bleeding argument. I mean seriously we've been reading books that *ahem* don't have a light source for centuries.
I mean for FSM's sake, if you are one of the very small minority that need to read in the dark with out turning on another light source, please go out and buy a bloody lightwedge or torch.</rant>

One of the reasons I want to spend hundreds of dollars on a gadget to read my books is to improve over the reading experience I had before. Just because my dad's 1968 Ford didn't have power steering or anti-lock brakes doesn't mean I don't want them. If they can put a light in and still keep the cost low, why care? Just don't use it if you don't like it. If there's not enough people that want it, they won't put it in. If you're sick of the argument, you don't need to read it.

-- it's well known Web Forum Law that references to Hitler will kill a thread within 3 or 4 posts.

Welcome to MobileRead's very own corollary to Godwin's Law!