backlit ereader

parking · 08-15-2011, 06:22 AM

So many ereaders, so little time.
I am located in Australia, read mainly fiction,
Currently I read ebooks on my HTC Desire smartphone. This is OK except for a couple of problems. I cannot see it outside on sunny days. I get sick of clicking the pages because of the small screen.

I would like an ebook reader that is

1. backlit ( I haven't noticed any problems with eye strain),
2. possible to switch from black on white to white on black ( maybe why eye strain is not a problem on hTC),
3 readable outside on sunny days,
4. about 6-7 inch preferred

Is such a combination possible?

Regards
Parking

Sweetpea · 08-15-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parking

So many ereaders, so little time.
I am located in Australia, read mainly fiction,
Currently I read ebooks on my HTC Desire smartphone. This is OK except for a couple of problems. I cannot see it outside on sunny days. I get sick of clicking the pages because of the small screen.

I would like an ebook reader that is

1. backlit ( I haven't noticed any problems with eye strain),
2. possible to switch from black on white to white on black ( maybe why eye strain is not a problem on hTC),
3 readable outside on sunny days,
4. about 6-7 inch preferred

Is such a combination possible?

Regards
Parking

Sorry, those aren't available.

The only type of backlit screens that are easily readable in daylight are transflective ones. These can be found in high end PDA's (4 to 5") or the Adam, which has a PixelQi screen (which is based on transflective technology). But that is only in 10" format and I can't even remember one store that is selling it.

parking · 08-15-2011, 07:18 PM

Thanks Sweetpea, I thought it might have been asking too much.
I have been reading on my htc desire smartphone, and while it is pretty good for contrast inside, it doesn't work well outside. Also the smaller screen means more screen flicking. I might live with it a bit longer though, and see what else comes on the market.

JSWolf · 08-15-2011, 07:21 PM

The problem is the sunlight. This is where eink shines.

Andrew H. · 08-15-2011, 09:21 PM

What Jon said is pretty much right. The issue that backlit e-readers have outdoors isn't glare, it's that they aren't as bright as the sun and so are overwhelmed by the ambient light. E-ink readers, on the other hand, are fantastic in the sun. But they can't be backlit because they are actually opaque (pretty much the same reason paper can't be backlit).

Of course, an e-ink reader that syncs with the reader on your phone would solve the problem nicely.

parking · 08-15-2011, 10:23 PM

Thanks JS wolf, you are right, and andrew, you are a guru.Not sure why I didn't think of that. stupid question probably, but what are the best synchronising phones. I think I read that Kindle has an android app, but does it make synching easy? also have been interested in the nook, and sony prs350.

Sweetpea · 08-16-2011, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

What Jon said is pretty much right. The issue that backlit e-readers have outdoors isn't glare, it's that they aren't as bright as the sun and so are overwhelmed by the ambient light. E-ink readers, on the other hand, are fantastic in the sun. But they can't be backlit because they are actually opaque (pretty much the same reason paper can't be backlit).

Of course, an e-ink reader that syncs with the reader on your phone would solve the problem nicely.

Would be nice if you gave all the information instead of part of it. I've got several backlit LCD devices at home that are perfectly readeable, without the backlight turned on, outside in sunny conditions. However, the colours are more washed out and this is the reason why you won't find that screen technology in most tablet-like devices.

@parking, from what I understand, synching using the Kindle app works well.

parking · 08-16-2011, 07:01 PM

Thanks Sweetpea. On further investigation yesterday I discovered my library is now loaning ebooks through Overdrive, and unfortunately Kindle is not supported. It does say maybe Kindle will be supported in US later in year, but as I am in Australia, it seems I will have to wait and see, or look elsewhere. I would be interested in any other comments on easy synching

08-15-2011, 06:22 AM	#1
parking Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	backlit ereader So many ereaders, so little time. I am located in Australia, read mainly fiction, Currently I read ebooks on my HTC Desire smartphone. This is OK except for a couple of problems. I cannot see it outside on sunny days. I get sick of clicking the pages because of the small screen. I would like an ebook reader that is 1. backlit ( I haven't noticed any problems with eye strain), 2. possible to switch from black on white to white on black ( maybe why eye strain is not a problem on hTC), 3 readable outside on sunny days, 4. about 6-7 inch preferred Is such a combination possible? Regards Parking

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08-15-2011, 07:18 PM	#3
parking Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Thanks Sweetpea, I thought it might have been asking too much. I have been reading on my htc desire smartphone, and while it is pretty good for contrast inside, it doesn't work well outside. Also the smaller screen means more screen flicking. I might live with it a bit longer though, and see what else comes on the market.

08-15-2011, 07:21 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,515 Karma: 145863177 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The problem is the sunlight. This is where eink shines.

08-15-2011, 09:21 PM	#5
Andrew H. Grand Master of Flowers Posts: 2,201 Karma: 8389072 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Naptown Device: Kindle PW, Kindle 3 (aka Keyboard), iPhone, iPad 3 (not for reading)	What Jon said is pretty much right. The issue that backlit e-readers have outdoors isn't glare, it's that they aren't as bright as the sun and so are overwhelmed by the ambient light. E-ink readers, on the other hand, are fantastic in the sun. But they can't be backlit because they are actually opaque (pretty much the same reason paper can't be backlit). Of course, an e-ink reader that syncs with the reader on your phone would solve the problem nicely.

08-15-2011, 10:23 PM	#6
parking Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Thanks JS wolf, you are right, and andrew, you are a guru.Not sure why I didn't think of that. stupid question probably, but what are the best synchronising phones. I think I read that Kindle has an android app, but does it make synching easy? also have been interested in the nook, and sony prs350.

08-16-2011, 07:01 PM	#8
parking Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Thanks Sweetpea. On further investigation yesterday I discovered my library is now loaning ebooks through Overdrive, and unfortunately Kindle is not supported. It does say maybe Kindle will be supported in US later in year, but as I am in Australia, it seems I will have to wait and see, or look elsewhere. I would be interested in any other comments on easy synching

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