Am I wrong or is it too soon for most ebook readers - Page 2

humandroid · 09-21-2007, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Even if someone did add a backlight you wouldn't be able to see the light. eInk screens are opaque. You could side-light or front-light an eInk display, but you cannot back-light it.

Yeah, it would have to be frontlight technology like Nintendo used on the Gameboy Advance SP

HarryT · 09-21-2007, 04:36 AM

The "light wedge" type of diffuser works very well on eInk screens. It would be nice if one of those could be built in for optional use.

DaleDe · 09-21-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Even if someone did add a backlight you wouldn't be able to see the light. eInk screens are opaque. You could side-light or front-light an eInk display, but you cannot back-light it.

I believe the original poster meant backlight in a generic sense that you took literally. I think he meant a built in light that illuminates the text and used the traditional term for such a capability. A little latitude is sometimes called for here.

nekokami · 09-21-2007, 12:37 PM

Maybe we could just automatically translate "back-lighting" to "self-lighting" or "built-in lighting" or something like that, and always discuss it on those grounds. I don't know as anyone particularly cares if the lighting comes through from the back, as long as the unit has lighting. (Some people, of course, don't want the unit to have its own lighting, as the contrast between the unit and the surroundings causes them eye fatigue. This is a separate issue.)

delphidb96 · 09-21-2007, 12:54 PM

I've recently queried both Lightwedge - who's refused to even respond to my e-mails - and a smaller outfit, in Canada I think, who makes installation kits of front-lighting for Gameboys and the like. I'm hoping to hear back from him. I've asked if he could make a slip-on/clip-on front-light for either the Sony or the Cybook and I gave him the dimensions of each.

Derek

Quote:

Originally Posted by nekokami

Maybe we could just automatically translate "back-lighting" to "self-lighting" or "built-in lighting" or something like that, and always discuss it on those grounds. I don't know as anyone particularly cares if the lighting comes through from the back, as long as the unit has lighting. (Some people, of course, don't want the unit to have its own lighting, as the contrast between the unit and the surroundings causes them eye fatigue. This is a separate issue.)

NatCh · 09-21-2007, 02:29 PM

Word around the time of launch was that lightwedge didn't want to sink R&D money into a light for an unproven product. I'd hope they might re-consider the matter now.

Was the Canadian outfit MashMods? I sent those folks an e-mail earlier today. If I hear anything worthwhile I'll post it.

delphidb96 · 09-24-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Word around the time of launch was that lightwedge didn't want to sink R&D money into a light for an unproven product. I'd hope they might re-consider the matter now.

Was the Canadian outfit MashMods? I sent those folks an e-mail earlier today. If I hear anything worthwhile I'll post it.

Natch,

I can believe it about Lightwedge. I've sent them numerous emails to which they have *NEVER* responded. I guess over a million devices in the hands of consumers - I'm counting Hanlins, Sonys, iLiads, STAReBOOKs and all the rest in this - just isn't worth the effort. Shame, really. Someone needs to take the basic idea and modify it enought, say by making a dual wedge or concave curve design, to get a new patent and create this just for eInk readers.

And Mash-Mods was the Canadian outfit. I'm looking forward to hearing more from him.

Derek

HarryT · 09-24-2007, 01:02 PM

I wonder how much heavier something like a light-wedge built into the Reader would make it? The light weight, compared with heavy backlit LCD devices, is one of the attractions of the device for me. Even more so with the iLiad which, although much larger than the Reader, is even lighter.

delphidb96 · 09-24-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I wonder how much heavier something like a light-wedge built into the Reader would make it? The light weight, compared with heavy backlit LCD devices, is one of the attractions of the device for me. Even more so with the iLiad which, although much larger than the Reader, is even lighter.

I've wondered the same thing. But I think some manufacturer would have to get a license from Lightwedge and that may be why we don't see this happening yet.

Derek

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-24-2007, 04:20 PM

I'm going to be jumped on by the mob, here, but I've never been convinced of the need for a dedicated device for e-book reading.

Since I started reading/buying e-books, I've used a PDA of one kind or another. The UMPCs fascinate me as well, and I expect to replace my laptop with a UMPC when it finally gives out. I like devices that serve multiple duties, and these devices are fine e-book readers for me.

Many people complain about the difficulty of reading on LCD screens. However, software like MS Cleartype allow LCD screens to adjust text to a more visually appealing "softness," and makes reading on LCD devices much more workable (there's a huge difference on my PDA). I expect there will be other, similar software advancements for newer LCD-based devices over time, making them more easily readable for users.

And don't forget the large number of Japanese that (according to mildly-challenged stats, at least) read e-books on their cellphones every day. E-books are coming along pretty well right now, despite the limited adoption of dedicated hardware devices.

Bottom line, it may be early for the dedicated readers, but not, I think, for non-dedicated/multi-use reader hardware.

NatCh · 09-24-2007, 04:45 PM

In hopes of heading off the mob-jumping, I'd agree with you that not everyone needs a dedicated reading device. More to the point, not everyone wants one. I know I say it a lot, but I figure if a body has a system that works for them, and doesn't see a need to change it, they ought to stay with it.

At the same time, I'm glad that there are also (finally) devices available that meet my needs for a reading device. I read on a PDA for several years, but never found it very satisfactory. Both the size, and the visibility in various lighting conditions weren't what I needed/wanted them to be. For me, e-ink is the best thing in the e-reading world since e-texts (thought I was gonna say "sliced bread" dinchya?). I personally like the dedicated device route, because it allows the device to be better optimized for reading, since it's not trying to be several other things as well. But that's my criteria, others will find other criteria more important, and I say, more power to 'em.

I still carry my PDA, I just don't try to read on the thing.

DaleDe · 09-24-2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I'm going to be jumped on by the mob, here, but I've never been convinced of the need for a dedicated device for e-book reading.

Since I started reading/buying e-books, I've used a PDA of one kind or another. The UMPCs fascinate me as well, and I expect to replace my laptop with a UMPC when it finally gives out. I like devices that serve multiple duties, and these devices are fine e-book readers for me.

Many people complain about the difficulty of reading on LCD screens. However, software like MS Cleartype allow LCD screens to adjust text to a more visually appealing "softness," and makes reading on LCD devices much more workable (there's a huge difference on my PDA). I expect there will be other, similar software advancements for newer LCD-based devices over time, making them more easily readable for users.

And don't forget the large number of Japanese that (according to mildly-challenged stats, at least) read e-books on their cellphones every day. E-books are coming along pretty well right now, despite the limited adoption of dedicated hardware devices.

Bottom line, it may be early for the dedicated readers, but not, I think, for non-dedicated/multi-use reader hardware.

I too used to depend on my PDA but there are some problems with that solution. All-in-one solutions usually comprise somewhere and in the case of a PDA is is too small and has too short of battery life for serious ebook reading. However, it has a advantage of shirt pocket size and can read multiple formats. Reading on my PDA was never as enjoyable as my dedicated ebook viewer. Don't get me wrong, I still have the PDA and use it when needed.

Dale

nekokami · 09-25-2007, 01:58 PM

I don't want a dedicated ebook device. I want a good general purpose tablet about the size of my iLiad, preferably running linux. There isn't such a beast available for a price I can afford, hence my second-hand iLiad. Someday I hope something in that form factor will be my main computing tool, with an optional keyboard and larger screen on a docking station or something, but for now I have the iLiad for reading and longhand note taking, and an assortment of laptop and desk-side computers for other purposes.

yvanleterrible · 09-25-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I'm going to be jumped on by the mob, here, but I've never been convinced of the need for a dedicated device for e-book reading.

You're right... not about the mob jumping you

but about a dedicated reader, it's just plain luxury. Funny how Sony got it targeted as such, right on the button.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-26-2007, 12:35 PM

That brings us back to one of the strongest intrinsic advantages of e-books: The fact that they can be read on a wide variety of hardware choices. Right now, a lot of people don't have the hardware they really like reading e-books on (either because it's too expensive for them to buy, or because it hasn't been invented yet), so for them, e-book readers aren't here yet. But a lot of us do have the hardware we're comfortable with, so for us, e-book readers are here already. It's a very subjective thing.

I suppose the only way to answer such a question is to decide how large a percentage of the population has to own a reader they are happy with, to determine when e-book readers are considered to be "here." Even then, I'm not sure it will be a definitive answer.

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09-21-2007, 04:36 AM	#17
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The "light wedge" type of diffuser works very well on eInk screens. It would be nice if one of those could be built in for optional use.

09-21-2007, 12:37 PM	#19
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Maybe we could just automatically translate "back-lighting" to "self-lighting" or "built-in lighting" or something like that, and always discuss it on those grounds. I don't know as anyone particularly cares if the lighting comes through from the back, as long as the unit has lighting. (Some people, of course, don't want the unit to have its own lighting, as the contrast between the unit and the surroundings causes them eye fatigue. This is a separate issue.)

09-21-2007, 02:29 PM	#21
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Word around the time of launch was that lightwedge didn't want to sink R&D money into a light for an unproven product. I'd hope they might re-consider the matter now. Was the Canadian outfit MashMods? I sent those folks an e-mail earlier today. If I hear anything worthwhile I'll post it.

09-24-2007, 01:02 PM	#23
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I wonder how much heavier something like a light-wedge built into the Reader would make it? The light weight, compared with heavy backlit LCD devices, is one of the attractions of the device for me. Even more so with the iLiad which, although much larger than the Reader, is even lighter.

09-24-2007, 04:20 PM	#25
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I'm going to be jumped on by the mob, here, but I've never been convinced of the need for a dedicated device for e-book reading. Since I started reading/buying e-books, I've used a PDA of one kind or another. The UMPCs fascinate me as well, and I expect to replace my laptop with a UMPC when it finally gives out. I like devices that serve multiple duties, and these devices are fine e-book readers for me. Many people complain about the difficulty of reading on LCD screens. However, software like MS Cleartype allow LCD screens to adjust text to a more visually appealing "softness," and makes reading on LCD devices much more workable (there's a huge difference on my PDA). I expect there will be other, similar software advancements for newer LCD-based devices over time, making them more easily readable for users. And don't forget the large number of Japanese that (according to mildly-challenged stats, at least) read e-books on their cellphones every day. E-books are coming along pretty well right now, despite the limited adoption of dedicated hardware devices. Bottom line, it may be early for the dedicated readers, but not, I think, for non-dedicated/multi-use reader hardware.

09-24-2007, 04:45 PM	#26
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	In hopes of heading off the mob-jumping, I'd agree with you that not everyone needs a dedicated reading device. More to the point, not everyone wants one. I know I say it a lot, but I figure if a body has a system that works for them, and doesn't see a need to change it, they ought to stay with it. At the same time, I'm glad that there are also (finally) devices available that meet my needs for a reading device. I read on a PDA for several years, but never found it very satisfactory. Both the size, and the visibility in various lighting conditions weren't what I needed/wanted them to be. For me, e-ink is the best thing in the e-reading world since e-texts (thought I was gonna say "sliced bread" dinchya?). I personally like the dedicated device route, because it allows the device to be better optimized for reading, since it's not trying to be several other things as well. But that's my criteria, others will find other criteria more important, and I say, more power to 'em. I still carry my PDA, I just don't try to read on the thing.

09-25-2007, 01:58 PM	#28
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	I don't want a dedicated ebook device. I want a good general purpose tablet about the size of my iLiad, preferably running linux. There isn't such a beast available for a price I can afford, hence my second-hand iLiad. Someday I hope something in that form factor will be my main computing tool, with an optional keyboard and larger screen on a docking station or something, but for now I have the iLiad for reading and longhand note taking, and an assortment of laptop and desk-side computers for other purposes.

09-26-2007, 12:35 PM	#30
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	That brings us back to one of the strongest intrinsic advantages of e-books: The fact that they can be read on a wide variety of hardware choices. Right now, a lot of people don't have the hardware they really like reading e-books on (either because it's too expensive for them to buy, or because it hasn't been invented yet), so for them, e-book readers aren't here yet. But a lot of us do have the hardware we're comfortable with, so for us, e-book readers are here already. It's a very subjective thing. I suppose the only way to answer such a question is to decide how large a percentage of the population has to own a reader they are happy with, to determine when e-book readers are considered to be "here." Even then, I'm not sure it will be a definitive answer.

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