Older adults read faster on a backlit tablet

ElspethB · 02-08-2013, 12:49 PM

...according to a study published in PLOS ONE that compared speed and comprehension when reading similar texts on a paper book, a Kindle, and an iPad. Here's an overview.

And here's the study itself.

The researchers attribute the difference to the greater contrast on the iPad screen, which makes me wonder how a front-lit e-ink device like the Kindle Paperwhite would fare.

graycyn · 02-08-2013, 02:18 PM

Well, I'm only a very few years away from being in their older adult category and I definitely read better with e-ink. My eyes DON'T like a lot of contrast, I find that paper books read in sunlight bounce too much light into my eyes. The gray of the e-ink screen is just right with decent light or sunlight and I read faster.

Further, most tablets do not have enough resolution for me to read comfortably. My Note is just barely there at 288ppi.

I advise anyone and everyone to do what is best for YOUR eyes and take research like this with a grain of salt.

WT Sharpe · 02-08-2013, 02:23 PM

This study seems already dated, as the move among manufacturers of devices that use eInk screens seems to be toward front-lit screens, which apparently weren't considered in the study.

Ripplinger · 02-08-2013, 03:02 PM

I wonder too if they adjusted the settings on the e-ink screens at all to darken the contrast, like many of us do, or just used the default settings, which for me are too thin and washed out. That adjustment alone could have made a big difference in the outcome of the study.

Andrew H. · 02-08-2013, 11:40 PM

It's an interesting study, but I think its biggest weakness is that it was limited to passages of about 200 words. Meaning that even if the study is otherwise flawless, it may not be applicable for 200 pages.

latepaul · 02-09-2013, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

I wonder too if they adjusted the settings on the e-ink screens at all to darken the contrast, like many of us do, or just used the default settings, which for me are too thin and washed out. That adjustment alone could have made a big difference in the outcome of the study.

How do you do that? I just checked my Kindle and my Kobo and neither have a setting that directly mentions "contrast". Is it something to do with the font chosen?

Ripplinger · 02-09-2013, 05:31 AM

It's a choice on my Sony where you adjust contrast and brightness. Those adjustments make the text thicker and darker. I just assumed all readers would have some way of doing it, but no idea how on the Kindle or Kobo.

Apache · 02-09-2013, 06:20 AM

Maybe we read faster because we have had more practice.

Apache

kennyc · 02-09-2013, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

Maybe we read faster because we have had more practice.

Apache

Nah, older people are more aware of mortality, must read faster!

Ankh · 02-09-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graycyn

Well, I'm only a very few years away from being in their older adult category and I definitely read better with e-ink.

Quoted to show that eInk was compared to:

Quote:

Originally Posted by graycyn

Further, most tablets do not have enough resolution for me to read comfortably. My Note is just barely there at 288ppi.

Last time I've checked, all eInk displays were (way) bellow 288ppi.

FA1SGL · 02-09-2013, 03:59 PM

At 64 I'm one of the "elderly" group. I use my iPad with iBook, Kindle, Nook, Kobo and Spreadsong's Free Books for iPad. To one degree or another I can make adjustments to facilate ease of reading on all of these apps. I find myself making adjustments as my evening wears on as my eyes tire. I love the printed page but cannot afford "books" both due to price and sheer weight of my eBook holdings if in paper format. I've close to 500 titles in my library and carry them one-handed. That's right good for a disabled old geezer.

JSWolf · 02-09-2013, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElspethB

...according to a study published in PLOS ONE that compared speed and comprehension when reading similar texts on a paper book, a Kindle, and an iPad. Here's an overview.

And here's the study itself.

The researchers attribute the difference to the greater contrast on the iPad screen, which makes me wonder how a front-lit e-ink device like the Kindle Paperwhite would fare.

I would read slower on a Kindle (with the default font) then I would with my 650 and the font of my choice. They didn't take that into account. For most people, the Kindle has one font and that's it take it or leave it. I choose to leave it because I don't like it. But I know on a Kindle Touch and PW, I can change the font to one of my choice and I would read fast in that case.

kennyc · 02-09-2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FA1SGL

At 64 .... I've close to 500 titles in my library and carry them one-handed. That's right good for a disabled old geezer.

You go girl!! um.....ah.... guy!

BelleZora · 02-09-2013, 06:11 PM

Even if this older adult could read faster on my backlit Kindle Fire, it wouldn't be for long since it gives me a headache and a feeling of eye strain (as does a print book after 2 or 3 books in a row). But I can read happily for days on end on my front-lit Glowlight or even my lamp-lit K4 (the contrast is not as good on the KTouch, so I now use it for Audible books).

FA1SGL · 02-10-2013, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

You go girl!! um.....ah.... guy!

FA = Field Artillery
1SG = First Sergeant
L = (L)yons

Being a retired Army Field Artillery First Sergeant w/Lyons as surname

02-08-2013, 12:49 PM	#1
ElspethB Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 1000038 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle 4NT, Kindle Keyboard, Samsung Galaxy Player	Older adults read faster on a backlit tablet ...according to a study published in PLOS ONE that compared speed and comprehension when reading similar texts on a paper book, a Kindle, and an iPad. Here's an overview. And here's the study itself. The researchers attribute the difference to the greater contrast on the iPad screen, which makes me wonder how a front-lit e-ink device like the Kindle Paperwhite would fare.

02-08-2013, 02:23 PM	#3
WT Sharpe Grand Muckity-Muck Posts: 27,108 Karma: 71768578 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindles: Paperwhite/K-3/Touch, Sony PRS-600, iPod (audio books), iPad1	This study seems already dated, as the move among manufacturers of devices that use eInk screens seems to be toward front-lit screens, which apparently weren't considered in the study. __________________

02-08-2013, 11:40 PM	#5
Andrew H. Grand Master of Flowers Posts: 2,050 Karma: 5950902 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Berlin Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)	It's an interesting study, but I think its biggest weakness is that it was limited to passages of about 200 words. Meaning that even if the study is otherwise flawless, it may not be applicable for 200 pages. __________________ Oceania: We Have Always Required Books From the Eurasian E-Bookstore to Be Sold Through Our In-App Purchasing System - John Gruber Last edited by Andrew H.; 02-09-2013 at 12:58 PM.

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02-08-2013, 02:18 PM	#2
graycyn Guru Posts: 661 Karma: 1381150 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NE Oregon Device: Sony 950, 350 & T1, SGP 5.0, Samsung Galaxy Note	Well, I'm only a very few years away from being in their older adult category and I definitely read better with e-ink. My eyes DON'T like a lot of contrast, I find that paper books read in sunlight bounce too much light into my eyes. The gray of the e-ink screen is just right with decent light or sunlight and I read faster. Further, most tablets do not have enough resolution for me to read comfortably. My Note is just barely there at 288ppi. I advise anyone and everyone to do what is best for YOUR eyes and take research like this with a grain of salt.

02-08-2013, 03:02 PM	#4
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 1,619 Karma: 2000203 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350: 4 Silver, 2 Blue!; Kobo Glo	I wonder too if they adjusted the settings on the e-ink screens at all to darken the contrast, like many of us do, or just used the default settings, which for me are too thin and washed out. That adjustment alone could have made a big difference in the outcome of the study.

02-09-2013, 05:31 AM	#7
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 1,619 Karma: 2000203 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350: 4 Silver, 2 Blue!; Kobo Glo	It's a choice on my Sony where you adjust contrast and brightness. Those adjustments make the text thicker and darker. I just assumed all readers would have some way of doing it, but no idea how on the Kindle or Kobo.

02-09-2013, 06:20 AM	#8
Apache Readaholic Posts: 1,667 Karma: 26165998 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Nook Color / Nook HD+	Maybe we read faster because we have had more practice. Apache

02-09-2013, 03:59 PM	#11
FA1SGL Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 46 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Left Coast Device: IPad iBook w/multiple iOS ePub apps	At 64 I'm one of the "elderly" group. I use my iPad with iBook, Kindle, Nook, Kobo and Spreadsong's Free Books for iPad. To one degree or another I can make adjustments to facilate ease of reading on all of these apps. I find myself making adjustments as my evening wears on as my eyes tire. I love the printed page but cannot afford "books" both due to price and sheer weight of my eBook holdings if in paper format. I've close to 500 titles in my library and carry them one-handed. That's right good for a disabled old geezer.

02-09-2013, 06:11 PM	#14
BelleZora Fanatic Posts: 529 Karma: 5177480 Join Date: May 2012 Location: North Idaho Device: Paperwhite, K-Touch, Nook GL, Sony T1, Libre Pro, K-Fire	Even if this older adult could read faster on my backlit Kindle Fire, it wouldn't be for long since it gives me a headache and a feeling of eye strain (as does a print book after 2 or 3 books in a row). But I can read happily for days on end on my front-lit Glowlight or even my lamp-lit K4 (the contrast is not as good on the KTouch, so I now use it for Audible books).


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