Internet Buzzing about K2's LIGHTER TEXT

[Dangerosa]

They know of the issue.  K3 is when they will correct it. 

Did Amazon announce this? Can you post a link? I'm curious to read more about it... thanks!

[pidgeon92]

Did Amazon announce this? Can you post a link? I'm curious to read more about it... thanks!

No, that was sarcasm.

[geoffthomas]

Gosh Pigeon, you gotta warn us when you use sarcasm or irony.
You know, make it bold or in color or use the glitter button.
We may be literate but we can be slow sometimes 

[pidgeon92]

Gosh Pigeon, you gotta warn us when you use sarcasm or irony.

It wasn't my post, I merely interpreted it.

[geoffthomas]

Oh snark!
I did it again.
Posted before I checked all the details.
And here I thought I was being clever and friendly and stuff.
Well I will keep on trying (I know - I am very trying).

[artsandhistoryfan]

This is arts&historyfan's blog. She is one of our members,.

And glad to find the place too.

  The other day I turned off my Kindle.  Just for the heck of it, since I almost never do.

  When I turned it back on, my Home screen was now in a wider-bolded looking font when, for the past few weeks, it had been in a wispy, thin font.  For me, this is an improvement.  The Kindle 1 is in a very bold, heavier font, and I had preferred that.

  Anyone else seeing any changes? 



 

[pomlover2586]

Has amazon officially identified the "lighter text" and "fading" issues??

[DD]

I think the difference is more pronounced for Kindle 1 owners who got used to its bolder font.  I notice the difference, but it just means that I take more 'breaks' (to rest my eyes) while reading on my K2.

thanks for the Kindle Chronicles tip...great PODCAST!

But, that's exactly why I bought a Kindle in the first place-because I couldn't read DTB's any more because of severe eyestrain.  I found I could read a lot longer when I got my K1.  On a 'heavy reading day' with the K1, I used to start off with font #4 and progress until later in the day when I was at font #6.  Now, with my K2, I have to use the largest text and I still have eyestrain sooner than when I read my K1.  With the K2, I can't even see the font sizes 1 and 2 and find it very difficult to read #3 and #4.  It seems to me rather ridiculous to make an electronic reader less readable when there is a choice involved.  I mean, what's the point?

Don't get me wrong, I love the K2, but I sure wish Amazon would correct this one feature.

[artsandhistoryfan]

  Now, with my K2, I have to use the largest text and I still have eyestrain sooner than when I read my K1.  With the K2, I can't even see the font sizes 1 and 2 and find it very difficult to read #3 and #4.  It seems to me rather ridiculous to make an electronic reader less readable when there is a choice involved.  I mean, what's the point?

Don't get me wrong, I love the K2, but I sure wish Amazon would correct this one feature.

  I definitely see that the new basic font is lighter and I don't like that.  Under some light, I can't tell; while in other light it is clearly not as black.  But the difference shouldn't be so large that you're affected this way.

  Have you done the sunlight test with it?  Some units are defective, and the screens will fade in direct sunlight or when turning the pages in direct sunlight.  If yours does that, you should call customer service to get a replacement. 

[DD]

  I definitely see that the new basic font is lighter and I don't like that.  Under some light, I can't tell; while in other light it is clearly not as black.  But the difference shouldn't be so large that you're affected this way.

  Have you done the sunlight test with it?  Some units are defective, and the screens will fade in direct sunlight or when turning the pages in direct sunlight.  If yours does that, you should call customer service to get a replacement. 

Mine does not fade in sunlight.  I live in sunny SW Florida and I've checked it out.  If it did, I would definitely return it.  It is the same all the time - just noticeable lighter than K1's text.  I can still read on it.  It's just not as comfortable to read for long periods.  I just don't understand the reason for Amazon to change a good thing.

[artsandhistoryfan]

Mine does not fade in sunlight.  I live in sunny SW Florida and I've checked it out.  If it did, I would definitely return it.  It is the same all the time - just noticeable lighter than K1's text.  I can still read on it.  It's just not as comfortable to read for long periods.  I just don't understand the reason for Amazon to change a good thing.

Well, I'm glad to see it's okay but I wish it didn't have such a bad effect on you.  I think what they did was go with a 'finer' font, which is thin and looks, to some people, 'sharper' and 'crisper' but for many people is actually just harder to see on a gray screen.   I'm pretty sure they will do something to fix it, to whatever degree, but won't talk about it officially because it would then be seen as a 'flaw' and bad for sales while it is mainly a bad option someone chose there (but for customers affected by it, a flaw!).

[DD]

Well, I'm glad to see it's okay but I wish it didn't have such a bad effect on you.  I think what they did was go with a 'finer' font, which is thin and looks, to some people, 'sharper' and 'crisper' but for many people is actually just harder to see on a gray screen.   I'm pretty sure they will do something to fix it, to whatever degree, but won't talk about it officially because it would then be seen as a 'flaw' and bad for sales while it is mainly a bad option someone chose there (but for customers affected by it, a flaw!).

Yes, I'm hoping that if enough Kindle 2 owners tell them about it, they may be able to fix it with a software update.  It's not keeping me from using my Kindle.  I just have to rest my eyes more often and I find that disappointing.

[MTscribe]

This just gets me...I just got my Kindle 2 a couple of weeks ago and thanks to the many posts here, I made sure to check if it faded in the sun.  It did.  Not as bad as some, but very obvious.  I called CS and was nicely told by the rep on the phone that yes, they had many go out that had that issue and they would be happy to replace it.  THEN...she transfers me to tech support who actually tells me that he had never heard of this issue and they would not exchange it...that it was performing as intended.  Long story short, I fussed enough that he was convinced that all I needed was a hard reset.  Uh, no.  In the end, he fessed that there was obviously an issue and overnighted a replacement.  I am still waiting for it, but very disappointed that with all of the press the fade issue has received, Amazon employees would actually lie like that.

[koolmnbv]

Maybe I'm silly, since I didn't have a KK, but I have had absolutely no problem with the text on my K2.

I feel the same way! I think most people maybe notice the darker text compared to the KK but since I never got on board that early with k1 ive never noticed a problem with the text on the K2. But if they darken the text due to other complaints i will reap the benefits so i am all for it!

[DD]

  I definitely see that the new basic font is lighter and I don't like that.  Under some light, I can't tell; while in other light it is clearly not as black.  But the difference shouldn't be so large that you're affected this way.

  Have you done the sunlight test with it?  Some units are defective, and the screens will fade in direct sunlight or when turning the pages in direct sunlight.  If yours does that, you should call customer service to get a replacement. 

Artsandhistoryfan, new development here.  I posted this in another thread but wanted to catch up with you here.  Yesterday I walked from my dark garage into bright sunlight on a cool day (60's) in SW Florida.  I was waiting for my husband and stood reading in the driveway.  As soon as I hit the sunlit area, my Kindle text faded drastically.  Called CS and on a portable phone, he walked through what was happening with me.  My replacement arrives today (overnighted).  I sure hope I get a good one this time and not have to go through multiple replacements like some have.  I think I will not clothe my Kindle in the new skins I have sitting here until she is a few months old.  This problem did not show up for me until after 6 weeks.

Advice to other Kindle 2 owners:  repeat the sun fade test after you've had your Kindle for a while!

[artsandhistoryfan]

Artsandhistoryfan, new development here.  I posted this in another thread but wanted to catch up with you here.  Yesterday I walked from my dark garage into bright sunlight on a cool day (60's) in SW Florida.  I was waiting for my husband and stood reading in the driveway.  As soon as I hit the sunlit area, my Kindle text faded drastically.  Called CS and on a portable phone, he walked through what was happening with me.  My replacement arrives today (overnighted).  I sure hope I get a good one this time and not have to go through multiple replacements like some have.  I think I will not clothe my Kindle in the new skins I have sitting here until she is a few months old.  This problem did not show up for me until after 6 weeks.

Advice to other Kindle 2 owners:  repeat the sun fade test after you've had your Kindle for a while!

In a way, DD, that's good news because it means you may have a better experience after all.  Crossing my fingers here.   If your skins are darker, that will give the illusion of your screen as lighter... 

Good luck today!

 - A  (it's hard to get on these boards lately - lots of small downtimes)

[kguthrie]

Mine has been working great.  My eyes fell fine after reading. 

[artsandhistoryfan]

Mine has been working great.  My eyes fell fine after reading. 

K,
 That sounds very dire!

 

[K.L. Christy]

Here's a link to the most vocal forum about the light text/low contrast issue.  It's a pretty thoughtful discussion, and there are SO MANY helpful hints to improve readability:

http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Please-make-darker-Kindle/forum/Fx2EGRL42MHF15D/Tx24K7JL1P7S1GG/1/ref=cm_cd_dp_tft_tp?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00154JDAI&store=fiona-hardware

[stevene9]

Here's a link to the most vocal forum about the light text/low contrast issue.  It's a pretty thoughtful discussion, and there are SO MANY helpful hints to improve readability:

http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Please-make-darker-Kindle/forum/Fx2EGRL42MHF15D/Tx24K7JL1P7S1GG/1/ref=cm_cd_dp_tft_tp?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00154JDAI&store=fiona-hardware

Here's a link to the most vocal forum about the light text/low contrast issue.  It's a pretty thoughtful discussion, and there are SO MANY helpful hints to improve readability:

http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Please-make-darker-Kindle/forum/Fx2EGRL42MHF15D/Tx24K7JL1P7S1GG/1/ref=cm_cd_dp_tft_tp?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B00154JDAI&store=fiona-hardware

WOW, I never knew the Amazon boards could have such an intelligent, civil discussion. I congratulate them on this very good thread.

[Kind]

No problems for me here.

[NYCKindleFan]

I've never heard of anyone getting eyestrain from reading the Kindle. I strongly suggest seeing an eye doctor as you may have a vision issue.

[Law. Sorreneson]

ALL Kindle 2's have text that is LIGHTER than the K1. It is what it is: 

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home    (comprehensive overview)

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/goingnative    (Where author cuts to the chase)

For many users, this makes the reading experience either uncomfortable or marginally less optimal than reading on the K1.  Again, the difference is slight (say, 15-20%), but it is there.  I highly recommend that you visit the blog above for a scientific/engineering perspective.  There are also helpful hints to improve readability.

[Law. Sorreneson]

WOW, I never knew the Amazon boards could have such an intelligent, civil discussion. I congratulate them on this very good thread.

Here's another intelligent, civil discussion about the LIGHT TEXT issue:

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home    (a comprehensive overview of the issue)

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/goingnative    (Where author cuts to the chase)

It basically PROVES that the K2 has lighter text than is optimal. Definitely worth the browse and click.

[MonaSW]

That is an excellent website, thank you for posting it.