Four dark spots at bottom of paperwhite

apenney · 10-03-2012, 05:34 PM

Hi guys,

I noticed as soon as I fired up my new kindle that there are four darker regions at the bottom. I think it's visible in this picture:

http://i.imgur.com/RPkKw.jpg

Does anyone else have this? Is this "normal"? I can't stop noticing it.

Edit: Made it a link instead, massively big picture!

Stingo · 10-03-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apenney

Hi guys,

I noticed as soon as I fired up my new kindle that there are four darker regions at the bottom. I think it's visible in this picture:

http://i.imgur.com/RPkKw.jpg

Does anyone else have this? Is this "normal"? I can't stop noticing it.

Edit: Made it a link instead, massively big picture!

That was a feature that Amazon added to de-emphasize the Location and percentage information so that it does not distract you while reading the e-book. It is a brilliant design decision which shows how carefully Amazon studies our needs in designing its products.

Either that or it is shading caused between the led's because of improper light source diffusion. Of course my first theory is so much more warm and fuzzy.

apenney · 10-03-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stingo

That was a feature that Amazon added to de-emphasize the Location and percentage information so that it does not distract you while reading the e-book. It is a brilliant design decision which shows how carefully Amazon studies our needs in designing its products.

Either that or it is shading caused between the led's because of improper light source diffusion. Of course my first theory is so much more warm and fuzzy.

I read somewhere else that it's the same on all of them, urgh, it's very annoying. I guess I won't replace it if other people have that.

jswinden · 10-03-2012, 06:33 PM

They all have that. As long as it isn't extending into the main text portion of the screen it should be okay. Most people will learn to ignore it. If it is really bad call CS.

Haggis · 10-03-2012, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apenney

Hi guys,

I noticed as soon as I fired up my new kindle that there are four darker regions at the bottom. I think it's visible in this picture:

http://i.imgur.com/RPkKw.jpg

Does anyone else have this? Is this "normal"? I can't stop noticing it.

Edit: Made it a link instead, massively big picture!

After looking at your picture, it looks like you may have the same issue I do, a bright vertical light showing at the bottom left. A separate issue from the bottom led blotches. They are replacing mine. If you have this extra annoying light coming from the bottom left, contact amazon support, I used their chat support and sent them a link to my pic, their supervisor agreed there was an issue with my screen.

Here is what mine looks like: http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...ightbottom.jpg

chay · 11-05-2012, 07:08 AM

Hi Haggis

I think my paperwhite has the same issue as yours, with light on the left hand side.

It is really distracting but the amazon person I spoke to on the chat (I showed them my image of the problem), said this was "normal" and that she had checked her kindle and the light was the same on hers. So they won't replace it.

See my issue here:

http://www.chayground.com/images/lig...fthandside.jpg

Does that look the same as yours did, and also how easy was it to get them to agree to a replacement because it doesn't seem right to me!

Was the replacement better?

Thanks

booklover6 · 11-05-2012, 07:29 AM

chay, if it hasn't been 30 days, return it via the website returns process, then order a new one. If you just return for exchange, you might not get a new one, you might get another person's return.

chay · 11-05-2012, 08:19 AM

The trouble is I would have to pay return postage, if they don't accept that the light on the left side is a fault. and the help desk person insisted that it looked fine (well, "normal") to her :/

They only cover the postage if it is deemed faulty.

I have no others to compare it to, so I don't know if that light on the left is "normal" and I'm just over sensitive, or if it shouldn't be like that :/

booklover6 · 11-05-2012, 08:45 AM

If it doesn't bother you, then keep it.

But can't you return it without speaking to a rep, note it as defective, and not pay return shipping? Are you in the US? In the US you should be able to do that online and not even talk to someone. I have returned defective products in this manner. Maybe it is different for a Kindle?

chay · 11-05-2012, 09:14 AM

Hmmm, it does bother me a bit, it's quite distracting.

I'm in the UK, and it seems to say on the amazon.co.uk site that that I have to ship it back myself via the post office, paying for recorded shipping (although they originally sent it to me as second class, unrecorded!) and then IF they agree it is defective then they will refund the product and the postage, if not then they only refund the item.

Will give it another few days to see if I get used to it.

Thanks for advice though.

booklover6 · 11-05-2012, 09:16 AM

Ok, sorry, I am not familiar with return procedures in the UK.

thomass · 11-05-2012, 09:44 AM

You can see the LEDs on this youtube video that was shared on Developer's forum. I think it is good to share it here also since it is related with the topic.

Haggis · 11-09-2012, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chay

Hi Haggis

I think my paperwhite has the same issue as yours, with light on the left hand side.

It is really distracting but the amazon person I spoke to on the chat (I showed them my image of the problem), said this was "normal" and that she had checked her kindle and the light was the same on hers. So they won't replace it.

See my issue here:

http://www.chayground.com/images/lig...fthandside.jpg

Does that look the same as yours did, and also how easy was it to get them to agree to a replacement because it doesn't seem right to me!

Was the replacement better?

Thanks

Hey there. Yep, my replacement was Way better. You need to pursue this more. You need to Demand a replacement. That's B.S. I wouldn't put up with that, way too distracting to read.

chay · 12-17-2012, 06:34 AM

Forced the issue and they sent a replacement
Which was WORSE! (Had holes or dust in the light guide which glowed!)
Sent that one back and got a third one.
Third time lucky - it was fine!
Once they realised I wasn't happy they were very good about sorting out replacements. Still a PITA to have to send them back though (was free in the end)

Thanks for your help and advice.

kim1406 · 12-23-2012, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chay

Forced the issue and they sent a replacement
Which was WORSE! (Had holes or dust in the light guide which glowed!)
Sent that one back and got a third one.
Third time lucky - it was fine!
Once they realised I wasn't happy they were very good about sorting out replacements. Still a PITA to have to send them back though (was free in the end)

Thanks for your help and advice.

Good for you, enjoy the reading now.

10-03-2012, 05:34 PM	#1
apenney Member Posts: 11 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle Touch	Four dark spots at bottom of paperwhite Hi guys, I noticed as soon as I fired up my new kindle that there are four darker regions at the bottom. I think it's visible in this picture: http://i.imgur.com/RPkKw.jpg Does anyone else have this? Is this "normal"? I can't stop noticing it. Edit: Made it a link instead, massively big picture!

11-05-2012, 07:08 AM	#6
chay Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	light on the left Hi Haggis I think my paperwhite has the same issue as yours, with light on the left hand side. It is really distracting but the amazon person I spoke to on the chat (I showed them my image of the problem), said this was "normal" and that she had checked her kindle and the light was the same on hers. So they won't replace it. See my issue here: http://www.chayground.com/images/lig...fthandside.jpg Does that look the same as yours did, and also how easy was it to get them to agree to a replacement because it doesn't seem right to me! Was the replacement better? Thanks

11-05-2012, 09:44 AM	#12
thomass Wizard Posts: 1,669 Karma: 2300001 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Türkiye Device: Kindle 5.3.7	You can see the LEDs on this youtube video that was shared on Developer's forum. I think it is good to share it here also since it is related with the topic. Last edited by thomass; 11-05-2012 at 09:56 AM.

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10-03-2012, 06:33 PM	#4
jswinden Nameless Being	They all have that. As long as it isn't extending into the main text portion of the screen it should be okay. Most people will learn to ignore it. If it is really bad call CS.

11-05-2012, 07:29 AM	#7
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	chay, if it hasn't been 30 days, return it via the website returns process, then order a new one. If you just return for exchange, you might not get a new one, you might get another person's return.

11-05-2012, 08:19 AM	#8
chay Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	The trouble is I would have to pay return postage, if they don't accept that the light on the left side is a fault. and the help desk person insisted that it looked fine (well, "normal") to her :/ They only cover the postage if it is deemed faulty. I have no others to compare it to, so I don't know if that light on the left is "normal" and I'm just over sensitive, or if it shouldn't be like that :/

11-05-2012, 08:45 AM	#9
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	If it doesn't bother you, then keep it. But can't you return it without speaking to a rep, note it as defective, and not pay return shipping? Are you in the US? In the US you should be able to do that online and not even talk to someone. I have returned defective products in this manner. Maybe it is different for a Kindle?

11-05-2012, 09:14 AM	#10
chay Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Hmmm, it does bother me a bit, it's quite distracting. I'm in the UK, and it seems to say on the amazon.co.uk site that that I have to ship it back myself via the post office, paying for recorded shipping (although they originally sent it to me as second class, unrecorded!) and then IF they agree it is defective then they will refund the product and the postage, if not then they only refund the item. Will give it another few days to see if I get used to it. Thanks for advice though.

11-05-2012, 09:16 AM	#11
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	Ok, sorry, I am not familiar with return procedures in the UK.

12-17-2012, 06:34 AM	#14
chay Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Forced the issue and they sent a replacement Which was WORSE! (Had holes or dust in the light guide which glowed!) Sent that one back and got a third one. Third time lucky - it was fine! Once they realised I wasn't happy they were very good about sorting out replacements. Still a PITA to have to send them back though (was free in the end) Thanks for your help and advice.