MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - The search for the Holy Grail of reading lights continues

Bob Russell · 09-30-2006, 10:34 AM

With the present excitement about the new e-ink reading devices comes the question of how to read in the dark. The forums are already full of some great discussions about whether or not the lack of some sort of built in light is a big deal or not. And there are already some thoughts about solutions, like maybe a light wedge side lighting solution or clip on light, which would be even better on an e-ink device than a book, because page turns don't require anything to be moved.

One of the more interesting points made so far has been by romance author da_jane who says that "42 readers of the 60 some who responded on my blog wanted a backlight. We aren't technophiles but we are avid readers. For those who don't know, romance ebooks are currently the most downloaded genre. Look at any ebookstore for the bestsellers. At least half will be romances. Why is that? Because romance readers, on average, buy at least 5 books a month and sometimes up to 20. We primarily read mass market titles and we are used to carry these things around everywhere we go. The need for a backlight or some integrated light source comes from the fact that we often read in lowlight situations. During movies with our kids, in the car (while someone else is driving of course), in bed with our SOs who frequently complain about the light (hence the huge aftermarket business of booklights)."

Personally, the disturb-your-significant-other light bleeding issue isn't currently a problem for me right now, and the lack of a built-in light is not a deal breaker for me.

But a lighting solution would be great. So while starting to do a little hunting for a light that would clip onto my bed's headboard and plug into an A/C outlet, I found someone else that has been doing some hunting. BookOfJoe presents an interesting look at lighting solutions for paper books. He shows some of the interesting solutions he's tried, including a caver's light that is worn on your head. As of this article, he doesn't seem to have come up with the perfect solution yet.

I didn't expect backlighting to be the hot topic about e-ink, but it's shaping up that way. Fortunately, if there some are good lighting solutions out there, somebody is sure to find them and let us know!

09-30-2006, 10:34 AM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	The search for the Holy Grail of reading lights continues With the present excitement about the new e-ink reading devices comes the question of how to read in the dark. The forums are already full of some great discussions about whether or not the lack of some sort of built in light is a big deal or not. And there are already some thoughts about solutions, like maybe a light wedge side lighting solution or clip on light, which would be even better on an e-ink device than a book, because page turns don't require anything to be moved. One of the more interesting points made so far has been by romance author da_jane who says that "42 readers of the 60 some who responded on my blog wanted a backlight. We aren't technophiles but we are avid readers. For those who don't know, romance ebooks are currently the most downloaded genre. Look at any ebookstore for the bestsellers. At least half will be romances. Why is that? Because romance readers, on average, buy at least 5 books a month and sometimes up to 20. We primarily read mass market titles and we are used to carry these things around everywhere we go. The need for a backlight or some integrated light source comes from the fact that we often read in lowlight situations. During movies with our kids, in the car (while someone else is driving of course), in bed with our SOs who frequently complain about the light (hence the huge aftermarket business of booklights)." Personally, the disturb-your-significant-other light bleeding issue isn't currently a problem for me right now, and the lack of a built-in light is not a deal breaker for me. But a lighting solution would be great. So while starting to do a little hunting for a light that would clip onto my bed's headboard and plug into an A/C outlet, I found someone else that has been doing some hunting. BookOfJoe presents an interesting look at lighting solutions for paper books. He shows some of the interesting solutions he's tried, including a caver's light that is worn on your head. As of this article, he doesn't seem to have come up with the perfect solution yet. I didn't expect backlighting to be the hot topic about e-ink, but it's shaping up that way. Fortunately, if there some are good lighting solutions out there, somebody is sure to find them and let us know!