Tech Made Simple

Hot Topics: How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems | Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy | How to Block Spam Calls | Snapchat Symbol Meaning

author photo

Barnes & Noble Nook eReader Can Be Read in the Dark

by on April 13, 2012
in Computers and Software, News, Tablets & eReaders, Blog :: 4 comments

Techlicious editors independently review products. To help support our mission, we may earn affiliate commissions from links contained on this page.

Nook Simple Touch w/ GlowLightThe appeal of e-ink display technology lies in the fact that it closely resembles paper, running for weeks without a charge, providing a high-contrast image that's restful on the eyes and easily standing up to direct sunlight. One of the problems has been that, like paper, it requires light to read it—the sun, a lamp, a book light.

The Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight solves this issue. With a strip of LEDs built into the frame above its display, the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight is the first e-ink reader to work as well in a dark bedroom as on the beach.

Though the light comes from a strip of lights at the top of the display, a film channels the light across the entire display. The pre-production unit I saw did a good job illuminating the entire display, though I did notice a slight mottled quality from uneven light distribution. 

The light strip doesn't severely impact battery life: With the light level set at 18-20% of the maximum, the battery will last a month (but that light level is probably somewhat lower than most people will use—I saw the display is a dimly-lit room and would have liked the light up higher). And there's no bulky battery to compensate. The Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight is actually 5% lighter than the existing Nook Simple Touch, both coming in under 7 ounces.

Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight gets an upgrade for beach readers as well with an anti-glare film. This film plus the light-channeling film reduce the contrast level to slightly below the 10 to 1 that of the Nook Simple Touch, but the difference is imperceptible.

You can pre-order the Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight now for $139 on BarnesandNoble.com, with availability on May 1, 2012.


Discussion loading

I read ebooks for the

From Erica on April 13, 2012 :: 10:46 am

I read ebooks for the most part.  If I’m trying to learn something, then I’ll go for paper books.

Reply

Would love to capture my

From Ann Miller on April 13, 2012 :: 11:28 am

Would love to capture my dog who seems to shy away from the camera.

Reply

More paper overall but ebooks are gaining

From Zeroturnzed on April 13, 2012 :: 2:17 pm

I have bookshelves that span 12 feet wide total and are from floor almost to the ceiling filled with books. My Sony Touch has around 350 to 400 books in it. I enjoy both but the more I use my ereader the more I like it. I have converted a lot of my hardback collection to ebooks so I can take them with me everywhere.

Reply

Can, but should not, be

From Steve Nordquist on April 15, 2012 :: 3:38 pm

Can, but should not, be read in the dark, because from what I can see in the Kate Spade survival-horror matte used, they stuck a cool white LED in there so your night vision will be put out, stressing you out if you (or if your mom doesn’t call, just your mom) read in the dark.

My nook looks pitch and coke from the annotation I try to make on it anyway (burgundy sharpie roulette; stylus, uncapped, les yeux sont fait,) so maybe that would warm up the look of the pages.

Reply

Love getting helpful tech tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter!

Home | About | Meet the Team | Contact Us
Media Kit | Newsletter Sponsorships
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookie Policy

Techlicious participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which provide a small commission from some, but not all, of the "click-thru to buy" links contained in our articles. These click-thru links are determined after the article has been written, based on price and product availability — the commissions do not impact our choice of recommended product, nor the price you pay. When you use these links, you help support our ongoing editorial mission to provide you with the best product recommendations.

© Techlicious LLC.