How to read comfortably on a tablet

leebase · 12-23-2015, 10:01 AM

Photo attached. Top shows me reading on my couch with settings appropriate to the room light. It's very comfortable and I can read like that for hours.

Below is the same room light, but reading with back on bright white and full light. The room only appears totally black because the photo can't capture the bright light and regular room light at the same time. Reading like this really does fry my eyes. But I never read like this.

Outside in bright light, the bottom settings would be fine. Although I prefer shade to full sunlight.

So I wonder, of those of you who say that reading on a phone or tablet hurts your eyes...are you trying the top example where you have a dark background with low contrast color for text and the light level set to room ambient level?

cvkemp · 12-23-2015, 10:06 AM

As for me I hate the white on black, it really gives me a headache, but I have eye issues that someone with good eyes would not have.

Cinisajoy · 12-23-2015, 10:15 AM

In answer to your question the answer is no.
Will you please acknowledge that not everyone can read on a tablet or smart phone?
I would almost bet money that nearly everyone that says they can't read on a smartphone or tablet has tried all settings.
Would you walk up to a person reading a large print book and say something do you really need big print, here is how I read?
Would you tell a legally blind person where to sit to watch TV?
Just because you can read on a tablet doesn't mean everyone can.
To me your post comes across as a child teasing another because they can't physically do something you can do.
I've wore glasses nearly all my life. And yes I keep my tablet on the lowest light setting at all times or it gives me a headache.
Accept the fact that not everyone can read on a tablet.

Cvkemp posted so much nicer than me.

Atunah · 12-23-2015, 10:39 AM

Not sure why its always assumed that those of us that don't like reading on tablets have their light on full light blast. I don't think I have ever used full light on any of my tablets/phone even if I don't read. I even got apps to go darker than the device. Problem then goes into if you go too dark, the contrast also goes away and I have to squint. There is a cut off where to dark is just too dark. So same issue still applies.

I also cannot read with a dark back round and lighter letters. I tried, mulitple times, I cannot do it. The letters start dancing on the screen. I cannot explain it any other way. And no, again, I did not have the light and letters on full blast light when I tried that. Again I want as dark as I could without losing all of the contrast. It just doesn't work for me. This setting makes my eyes hurt even more than the dark letters on light back round.

So no, we aren't doing something wrong because we can't read comfortable or longer without pain on a back lit device tablet/phone. We know how to operate the light slider, how to get apps to help. It is what it is.

GlenBarrington · 12-23-2015, 11:49 AM

Our preferences are our preferences, and they don't have to make 'sense' to others, just to us. I read on a Lenovo tablet with black letters on white background, and I'm happy as a clam (not sure, exactly, how happy that is, but I'm sure I'm at least that happy. . . ). I also frequently read on my Galaxy S5 smartphone.

I'm content to let you all make your own decisions on this.

DiapDealer · 12-23-2015, 12:05 PM

I will acknowledge that not everybody can read on a tablet or phone just as soon as eink advocates stop implying that for "serious" or "hardcore" readers, eink is the only logical choice. The implications that tablet/phone readers must not be as "avid" (or must not read for the same lengths of time) as dedicated eink users is just as insulting as assuming those who claim to not be able to read comfortably on backlit lcds can't operate a dimmer setting. Same same.

For my part, there's just some deply-ingrained dogma (based on pseudo-science, confirmation bias and early adoption) that heralds eInk as the only choice for the "avid/serious" ereader that I find annoying as hell. I don't see any difference between that and the book sniffers who say the same thing about pbooks vs ebooks. It's pointless. So yeah... maybe no one in this particular thread is guily of it, but there's a pervading sentiment in ereader land that those of who read on lcd must only be "dabblers", and that makes some of us kick up our heels a little. It'll pass though. Just as soon as the myth of eink's inherent (and universal) superiority dies the death it deserves.

*NOTE* I hope the myth dies, not the technology. I hope everybody's favorite reading technology is around for a long time to come.

Atunah · 12-23-2015, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I will acknowledge that not everbody can read on a tablet or phone just as soon as eink advocates stop implying that for "serious" or "hardcore" readers, eink is the only logical choice. The implications that tablet/phone readers must not be as "avid" (or must not read for the same lengths of time) as dedicated eink users is just as insulting as assuming those who claim to not be able to read comfortably on backlit lcds can't operate a dimmer setting. Same same.

For my part, there's just some deply-ingrained dogma (based on pseudo-science, confirmation bias and early adoption) that heralds eInk as the only choice for the "avid/serious" ereader that I find annoying as hell. I don't see any difference between that and the book sniffers who say the same thing about pbooks vs ebooks. It's pointless. So yeah... maybe no one in this particular thread is guily of it, but there's a pervading sentiment in ereader land that those of who read on lcd must only be "dabblers", and that makes some of us kick up our heels a little. It'll pass though. Just as soon as the myth of eink's inherent (and universal) superiority dies the death it deserves.

*NOTE* I hope the myth dies, not the technology. I hope everybody's favorite reading technology is around for a long time to come.

I think sometimes these defensive things come out when there is yet another blog, or story or thread on how e-ink is dead and long live all things tablet.

And how there isn't enough need for e-ink and how we just don't know how to properly use the light slider or find apps to make it work. I find that just as annoying and sometimes insulting.

I know for this (me) reader, e-ink is the only comfortable choice of reading. Especially for long blocks of reading. That is just a fact. I also know there are many others like me out there. That doesn't mean that others can't read hours and hours on tablets.

It just means we all exist and a market for all exist. We all just want to read.

Cinisajoy · 12-23-2015, 12:29 PM

Hey DiapDealer,
Now I will be the first to tell you that an e-ink reader and humor do not go well together in a hot bath. If one laughs too hard the poor reader might go for an unwanted swim.

Oh on the snobbery, I have seen worse than ebook vs pbook.
I was literally called poor trash because I crochet with acrylic, use Aida for cross stitch and DMC flos and do plastic canvas. Hey just because one person spends a minimum of $50 on a skein of yarn or on a 12" square piece of linen or uses only silk floss doesn't make their work any better than mine. It also doesn't make me less of a person than they are.
Though I have to say a couple of them made me laugh. Some would brag about how much they spent on supplies then wonder where they were going to get grocery money.

Now I don't know about you but to me groceries would come before hobbies.

cvkemp · 12-23-2015, 12:34 PM

I was raised on a farm by parents that did not have any money to waste. But my parents always told me and also followed the concept that you never make something just work because it will do more harm than good. I realize that some and maybe most can make do with a tablet with an app of some kind for reading, and maybe it is even the best for them. But for the ones like me with old worn out eyes that have been already abused all my life I am going to take care of them the best way I can, and that means following my eye doctor's advice. So that means I am going to read for the most part only with e-ink or paper. I do have and use a IPad and IPhone but not for extended times. I only check my emails, and search for things I need. Then when reading I return to my e-ink reader. Yes it means I care more than one device most of the time, but that is the price I am willing to pay to keep what little of my eyes that I have lift. And most of the ones that are much younger will learn what I now know one of these days. And for the ones my age and old with the good eyes I just wish I was so lucky.

DiapDealer · 12-23-2015, 12:41 PM

Just look at all the unfounded implications in that post.

Some of us are "making do" with tablets and apps.
Tablet readers must be young people with young eyes.
We'll find out someday the cost of reading on tablets.

It's possible for you to prefer eink without those assumptions. Why do you feel the need to assume it's my young, perfect eyes (Ha! on both counts) that allow me to "make do" on my tablet?

Rizla · 12-23-2015, 12:43 PM

Its a computer screen. Nuff said.

Twilight is a handy app to adjust color and brightness.

Purple Lady · 12-23-2015, 01:01 PM

Even white text on a dark screen is too much for me. I need light grey text on a black screen, or dark text on a colored screen. I even need a non glare screen protector because the reflections are too much for me. Without these modifications my vision goes double, but with them I can read for hours. I also use a screen filter app sometimes with a grey filter to get rid of all the bright white.

theducks · 12-23-2015, 02:32 PM

Remember the days of 'Glass Teletypes'?
This sounds Familiar

(normal text)

Green on dark (shades of IBM 3270

)
Blueish White on dark (mainly DEC)
Amber on dark (others)

cromag · 12-23-2015, 04:04 PM

How 'bout I just say I don't like reading on a tablet? (Unless I'm reading a PDF.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Remember the days of 'Glass Teletypes'?
This sounds Familiar

(normal text)

Green on dark (shades of IBM 3270

)
Blueish White on dark (mainly DEC)
Amber on dark (others)

Amber! Seriously, how could anyone prefer green?!

DiapDealer · 12-23-2015, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cromag

How 'bout I just say I don't like reading on a tablet? (Unless I'm reading a PDF.)

That's all anyone needs to say. The rest is irrelevant

12-23-2015, 10:01 AM	#1
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,960 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	How to read comfortably on a tablet Photo attached. Top shows me reading on my couch with settings appropriate to the room light. It's very comfortable and I can read like that for hours. Below is the same room light, but reading with back on bright white and full light. The room only appears totally black because the photo can't capture the bright light and regular room light at the same time. Reading like this really does fry my eyes. But I never read like this. Outside in bright light, the bottom settings would be fine. Although I prefer shade to full sunlight. So I wonder, of those of you who say that reading on a phone or tablet hurts your eyes...are you trying the top example where you have a dark background with low contrast color for text and the light level set to room ambient level? Attached Thumbnails

12-23-2015, 12:05 PM	#6
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,352 Karma: 203720150 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I will acknowledge that not everybody can read on a tablet or phone just as soon as eink advocates stop implying that for "serious" or "hardcore" readers, eink is the only logical choice. The implications that tablet/phone readers must not be as "avid" (or must not read for the same lengths of time) as dedicated eink users is just as insulting as assuming those who claim to not be able to read comfortably on backlit lcds can't operate a dimmer setting. Same same. For my part, there's just some deply-ingrained dogma (based on pseudo-science, confirmation bias and early adoption) that heralds eInk as the only choice for the "avid/serious" ereader that I find annoying as hell. I don't see any difference between that and the book sniffers who say the same thing about pbooks vs ebooks. It's pointless. So yeah... maybe no one in this particular thread is guily of it, but there's a pervading sentiment in ereader land that those of who read on lcd must only be "dabblers", and that makes some of us kick up our heels a little. It'll pass though. Just as soon as the myth of eink's inherent (and universal) superiority dies the death it deserves. NOTE I hope the myth dies, not the technology. I hope everybody's favorite reading technology is around for a long time to come. Last edited by DiapDealer; 12-23-2015 at 12:24 PM.

12-23-2015, 12:41 PM	#10
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,352 Karma: 203720150 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Just look at all the unfounded implications in that post. Some of us are "making do" with tablets and apps. Tablet readers must be young people with young eyes. We'll find out someday the cost of reading on tablets. It's possible for you to prefer eink without those assumptions. Why do you feel the need to assume it's my young, perfect eyes (Ha! on both counts) that allow me to "make do" on my tablet? Last edited by DiapDealer; 12-23-2015 at 12:44 PM.

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12-23-2015, 10:06 AM	#2
cvkemp Loving life Posts: 1,430 Karma: 7991496 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Device: PaperWhite 6 SE, Fire HD8	As for me I hate the white on black, it really gives me a headache, but I have eye issues that someone with good eyes would not have.

12-23-2015, 10:15 AM	#3
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	In answer to your question the answer is no. Will you please acknowledge that not everyone can read on a tablet or smart phone? I would almost bet money that nearly everyone that says they can't read on a smartphone or tablet has tried all settings. Would you walk up to a person reading a large print book and say something do you really need big print, here is how I read? Would you tell a legally blind person where to sit to watch TV? Just because you can read on a tablet doesn't mean everyone can. To me your post comes across as a child teasing another because they can't physically do something you can do. I've wore glasses nearly all my life. And yes I keep my tablet on the lowest light setting at all times or it gives me a headache. Accept the fact that not everyone can read on a tablet. Cvkemp posted so much nicer than me.

12-23-2015, 10:39 AM	#4
Atunah Wizard Posts: 1,817 Karma: 23400001 Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA Device: K1/K3/BasicK Voyage/Oasis1/Oasis3	Not sure why its always assumed that those of us that don't like reading on tablets have their light on full light blast. I don't think I have ever used full light on any of my tablets/phone even if I don't read. I even got apps to go darker than the device. Problem then goes into if you go too dark, the contrast also goes away and I have to squint. There is a cut off where to dark is just too dark. So same issue still applies. I also cannot read with a dark back round and lighter letters. I tried, mulitple times, I cannot do it. The letters start dancing on the screen. I cannot explain it any other way. And no, again, I did not have the light and letters on full blast light when I tried that. Again I want as dark as I could without losing all of the contrast. It just doesn't work for me. This setting makes my eyes hurt even more than the dark letters on light back round. So no, we aren't doing something wrong because we can't read comfortable or longer without pain on a back lit device tablet/phone. We know how to operate the light slider, how to get apps to help. It is what it is.

12-23-2015, 11:49 AM	#5
GlenBarrington Cheese Whiz Posts: 1,986 Karma: 11677147 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Springfield, Illinois Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Tab A 10.1(2019), Pixel 6a.	Our preferences are our preferences, and they don't have to make 'sense' to others, just to us. I read on a Lenovo tablet with black letters on white background, and I'm happy as a clam (not sure, exactly, how happy that is, but I'm sure I'm at least that happy. . . ). I also frequently read on my Galaxy S5 smartphone. I'm content to let you all make your own decisions on this.

12-23-2015, 12:29 PM	#8
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	Hey DiapDealer, Now I will be the first to tell you that an e-ink reader and humor do not go well together in a hot bath. If one laughs too hard the poor reader might go for an unwanted swim. Oh on the snobbery, I have seen worse than ebook vs pbook. I was literally called poor trash because I crochet with acrylic, use Aida for cross stitch and DMC flos and do plastic canvas. Hey just because one person spends a minimum of $50 on a skein of yarn or on a 12" square piece of linen or uses only silk floss doesn't make their work any better than mine. It also doesn't make me less of a person than they are. Though I have to say a couple of them made me laugh. Some would brag about how much they spent on supplies then wonder where they were going to get grocery money. Now I don't know about you but to me groceries would come before hobbies.

12-23-2015, 12:34 PM	#9
cvkemp Loving life Posts: 1,430 Karma: 7991496 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Device: PaperWhite 6 SE, Fire HD8	I was raised on a farm by parents that did not have any money to waste. But my parents always told me and also followed the concept that you never make something just work because it will do more harm than good. I realize that some and maybe most can make do with a tablet with an app of some kind for reading, and maybe it is even the best for them. But for the ones like me with old worn out eyes that have been already abused all my life I am going to take care of them the best way I can, and that means following my eye doctor's advice. So that means I am going to read for the most part only with e-ink or paper. I do have and use a IPad and IPhone but not for extended times. I only check my emails, and search for things I need. Then when reading I return to my e-ink reader. Yes it means I care more than one device most of the time, but that is the price I am willing to pay to keep what little of my eyes that I have lift. And most of the ones that are much younger will learn what I now know one of these days. And for the ones my age and old with the good eyes I just wish I was so lucky.

12-23-2015, 12:43 PM	#11
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	Its a computer screen. Nuff said. Twilight is a handy app to adjust color and brightness.

12-23-2015, 01:01 PM	#12
Purple Lady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,698 Karma: 16542228 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Device: Huawei MediaPad M5, LG V30, Boyue T80S, Nexus 7 LTE, K3 3G, Fire HD8	Even white text on a dark screen is too much for me. I need light grey text on a black screen, or dark text on a colored screen. I even need a non glare screen protector because the reflections are too much for me. Without these modifications my vision goes double, but with them I can read for hours. I also use a screen filter app sometimes with a grey filter to get rid of all the bright white.

12-23-2015, 02:32 PM	#13
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 30,891 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Remember the days of 'Glass Teletypes'? This sounds Familiar (normal text) Green on dark (shades of IBM 3270 ) Blueish White on dark (mainly DEC) Amber on dark (others)

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