Kindle Questions: Can you read a Kindle in the dark?
Since I’m the only one of my friends and family that owns a Kindle, I often get questions from them about the device. I decided to share these questions with you since many of them are worthwhile questions that either aren’t answered in other places or aren’t addressed directly.
The first question I was asked about my Kindle is “Can you read it in the dark?” Well, yes and no. Without the aid of book light
The backlight is what causes glare on your computer, what makes your eyes tired if you try to read long articles online, and what makes little kids’ eyes tired after playing hours of portable video games. The Kindle screen was specifically designed without a backlight to make the reading experience more like reading a book than reading off an electronic device.
So technically, no, you can’t read a Kindle in the dark without an outside light source. However, the Mighty Bright gets a four-and-a-half star review on Amazon, and high praise from Kindle owners.
If you have a question about the Kindle, feel free to email me at cj@kindlenewsandreviews.com.
UPDATE (3/10/09): This information also applies to the Kindle 2. Amazon did not add a backlight to the Kindle 2. As mentioned in my original post, however, there are several booklight-style lights compatible with the Kindle and Kindle 2.
Other Posts of Interest:
- A Review of the iPhone as an E-book Reader
- 12 Days of Kindle, Day One – Win an M-Edge e-Luminator2 Booklight
- Leather Kindle Case and Reading Stand
- Kindle Questions: Can you read it on a treadmill?
- Kindle Holiday Gift Guide 2008
15 Responses to “Kindle Questions: Can you read a Kindle in the dark?”
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The Sony Digital Reader has a back light so you can read in the dark.
Is the kindle waterproof or water resistant if we wanted to sit in the pool and read?
Hi Kim. No, the Kindle is not waterproof or water resistant. I have heard of some people slipping the Kindle into a Ziploc bag to read in poolside or in the bathtub. You’ll still be able to see the screen through the clear plastic bag, and you can turn the pages with the buttons without a problem. Some people recommend two Ziplocs, facing opposite ways, just in case your Kindle takes a dunk.
how come i cant find and of the original 7 harry potter books anywhere on the kindle?
Hi Beckyy, Not every author has licensed their books for electronic publishing yet. The Harry Potter series is not yet available for Kindle or other e-readers.
I just read about the reasons for not including a backlight. I find that I need a stronger light for the Kindle than I do for a regular book. What a pain.
I think the kindle should come with a button to turn on or off the backlight to make everyone happy. I feel its very inconvenient to not have the light in darker places since when looking at the screen I need more light.
The backlight option is a great idea…
I just received a Kindle as a BD present. If I leave it in my unheated car in 0 degree temperature, will it be damaged?
I accidentally left my DX in the car overnight, in about 20 degrees. The screen froze on the screensaver, until I let it warm up. It worked fine after that, but I’d recommend *not* leaving it in the car all the time. Once or twice on accident may not kill the Kindle, but it’s certainly not good to do so. And you’re likely to void your warranty that way, too. Amazon may view that as “abuse” or “neglect” and not fix it for you.
Hi Please helppppppp me
My kindle is new I dowloaded my first book but I cant received the book cause it said my memorie is full.What is the problem
Thanks
Sarah
Hi Please helppppppp me
My kindle is new I dowloaded my first book but I cant received the book cause it said my memorie is full.What is the problem
Thanks
Sarah
I think your best resolve is to go directly to Kindle Support…That number is 1-877-453-4512. I hope that helps.
can i mark a book finished or ‘read’ on the kindle 1?
I have so many on there and I’d like the option of seeing the title in bold or a mark next to it saying I’ve finished it. That way I don’t have to open it and scan it to try and remember if I’ve already read it? Is this possible?
I know I can ‘delete it’ from the kindle and it will still be on Amazon but I like having them all on there to reference when necessary.
Help?
If you will notice on the “Home Page” of your Kindle (where the book titles are), each Title has little dots below them…The dots represent how far you’ve read into that book and are darker for that section you’ve completed. If a book is completed, all the dots are darkened. I hope this helps.