Internet Buzzing about K2's LIGHTER TEXT

[Law. Sorreneson]

If you are interested in reading about a solution to the LIGHT TEXT/POOR CONTRAST on the Kindle 2:

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/font-install-files

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If you are interested in reading about the internet buzz surrounding the LIGHT TEXT/POOR CONTRAST on the Kindle 2:

CNET News investigates contrast issue - "Kindle 2 flaw: Lighter text causing headaches?" The author recommends an "obvious solution" (firmware update):

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10191483-1.html

WIRED News discusses the "fuzzy fonts" and how some users are "seeing red":

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/04/kindle-2-displa.html

PC WORLD investigates lighter text issue and an "Open Letter to Jeff Bezos" (ABC News syndicates the article):

http://www.pcworld.com/article/163089/users_lament_kindle_2_upgrades.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/PCWorld/story?id=7333841

The most prominent tech website, ENGADGET, talks eye strain, the Kindle 2, and Unicode Fonts Hack:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/

A Kindle Podcast discusses K2's readability compared to K1:

http://www.thekindlechronicles.com/
(episodes 33, 34, 40, and EXTRA - Boston PDA Users Group Presentation" - 23:10 min -- 31:00 min)

Kindle Blogs weigh in:

http://kindleville.blogspot.com/2009/03/reading-comfort-kindle-2-vs-kindle-1.html

http://ireaderreview.com/2009/03/09/kindle-2-screen-contrast-light-text-dark-background-solutions/

http://kindleworld.blogspot.com/2009/03/amazon-is-considering-k2-screen.html

Looks like this issue is gaining traction and with any luck, Amazon will respond with a Firmware Update.

UPDATE (4/11/09):  A Kindle User Offers Solutions:   

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home
https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/font-install-files

UPDATE (4/14/09):  Kindle User's scientific research appears to back up claim of potential eye strain from lighter text: 

https://sites.google.com/a/etccreations.com/kdesignworks/Home/displaytechnologies

UPDATE (4/23/09): Vellum Publishing, a digital publishing company of ebooks for Kindle, decides to format ALL it books in a bolder font:

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/vellum-publishing-incs-digital-books-for-kindle-2-are-easiest-to-read-97613.php
http://www.newkindlebooks.com/   
(A video clip of the president of Vellum discussing darker text and skins for K2)

UPDATE (4/25/09): Kindle Boards' own Harvey Chute reports on the font hack that darkens Kindle 2 text:

http://www.kindleboards.com/blog/2009/04/hack-your-way-to-darker-kindle-fonts/

UPDATE (4/26/09): Crunch Gear has a blog entry callled, "Fix the Kindle 2's light text display" (links to Kindle Board report, this thread):

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/04/26/fix-the-kindle-2s-light-text-display/

UPDATE (5/1/09): Len Edgerly of the podcast, Kindle Chronicles, speaks at MIT. Among other topics, he discusses the lighter text/poor contrast of the Kindle 2 (23:10 -- 31:00).

http://www.thekindlechronicles.com/
(Episode "EXTRA - Boston PDA Users Group Presentation"; 23:10 min -- 31:00 min)

[akpak]

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

[PJ]

Unless I set it to the smallest setting 

[Anthony34]

I Read the CNET article.  Pretty fair piece.  I do think there's a difference in readability. 

The K1 text is just darker, making it easier to read.  But I do like photos on the K2!

-A.C.

[Octochick]

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

Me neither. I use the smallest font too, with my reading glasses a lot of the time. In bright sunlight, which I was using today, no fading and no problems. It took a little getting use to at first but I am all good now.

[K.L. Christy]

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!

[geoffthomas]

It seems to me that the 2.0.2 update made the background lighter - increasing the readability.

[Linda Cannon-Mott]

I had a KK but have had no problem reading my K 2. Hasn't bothered my eyes at all.

[L.Canton]

I've had the K1 and now the K2 and yes the text is a bit lighter, but it certainly hasn't given me headaches or eyestrain.

[FlannelE]

While I don't think it's a deal-breaker, Amazon definitely took a step backward with the lighter text. Of all the things to skimp on, it's kind of IRONIC that they chose the actual words you read...

I still love the K2, but for long reading sessions, the K1 is just "easier" on the eyes.

[K.L. Christy]

300 and counting...

http://www.petitiononline.com/12345k2/petition.html

Please take the time to sign the petition.  There's power in numbers, and hopefully Amazon will respond to the feedback by sending a FIRMWARE update allowing users to darken the text.  The K2 text is noticeably lighter (and slightly less readable) than the K1 on the lower-sized fonts (1, 2, 3). 

-Thanks!

[kevindorsey]

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

[Maxwell]

 Thanks for the link. K3 is heck of a long time to wait.

[L.Canton]

Being vocal about issues is important, but I have a sneaking suspicion they know about some customers concerns with this already. I'll be interested to see what they decide to do about it.

[Anthony34]

Wow, great link Christy!

Considering that there are 1,300 K2 reviews on the Amazon website, those 200+ signatures represent a significant number. Probably even more people who agree, but aren't into signing petitions.

If I were Customer Service, and I received that many signatures? The petition would probably get forwarded to Amazon product development...if ya know what I mean.  I'm pretty optimistic about a firmware update! 

[pomlover2586]

I usually don't sign petitions......and because I never had a K1 I don't notice a difference on my K2.....but the issue is important to many here on Kindleboards and I do think the issue could be solved with a software update via whisper net. The more who sign the better......can't hurt anyway 

[geoffthomas]

Did the signature thing.  Nice effort.  At least Amazon will be aware that some K2 owners would like it changed.

[Law. Sorreneson]

I really think we've made progress on the light text/contrast issue. We've gone from Amazon DENIAL, to canned email responses and replacements, to final recognition that this is the #1 consumer complaint about the K2. Based on anectdotal evidence, Amazon is WORKING on the problem:

http://kindleworld.blogspot.com/2009/03/amazon-is-considering-k2-screen.html

After the CNET News article ( http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10191483-1.html ) and once we reached 200 signatures on the PETITION, I think Amazon started to take notice. Let's keep it up!

[Law. Sorreneson]

I really think we've made progress on the light text/contrast issue. We've gone from Amazon DENIAL, to canned email responses and replacements, to final recognition that this is the #1 consumer complaint about the K2. Based on anectdotal evidence, Amazon is WORKING on the problem:

http://kindleworld.blogspot.com/2009/03/amazon-is-considering-k2-screen.html

After the CNET News article ( http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10191483-1.html ) and once we reached 200 signatures on the PETITION ( http://www.petitiononline.com/12345k2/petition.html ), I think Amazon started to take notice. Let's keep it up!

[intinst]

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

[traceyreads]

It seems to me that the 2.0.2 update made the background lighter - increasing the readability.

I have not noticed any difference in my screen or font.  Screen is still darker gray than my K1, font is still lighter.  I still love it, but I really miss the contrast of my K1.

[GeorgeGlass]

I really think we've made progress on the light text/contrast issue. We've gone from Amazon DENIAL, to canned email responses and replacements, to final recognition that this is the #1 consumer complaint about the K2. Based on anectdotal evidence, Amazon is WORKING on the problem:

http://kindleworld.blogspot.com/2009/03/amazon-is-considering-k2-screen.html

After the CNET News article ( http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10191483-1.html ) and once we reached 200 signatures on the PETITION ( http://www.petitiononline.com/12345k2/petition.html ), I think Amazon started to take notice. Let's keep it up!

I can guarantee you 200 "signatures" on an internet petition had nothing to do with it.

I did not have the original Kindle, just the Kindle 2. I don't have a problem with the text at all, but I read it at the third smallest text setting because that one is easiest for me to read comfortably. If there was greater contrast, maybe I'd read it with a smaller font, but maybe not. I would like to see an original though, because I'm wowed with the one I have.

[MarthaT]

this is probably the #1 glitch people have, ive been lucky enough that mine didn't have it I guess

[DD]

200 and counting...

http://www.petitiononline.com/12345k2/petition.html

Please take the time to sign the petition.  There's power in numbers, and hopefully Amazon will respond to the feedback by sending a FIRMWARE update allowing users to darken the text.  The K2 text is noticeably lighter (and slightly less readable) than the K1 on the lower-sized fonts (1, 2, 3). 

-Thanks!

Signed it.  Usually read on the largest text later in the day when my eyes are tired.  Don't notice it as much with largest text but now #4 text is ureadable for me.  Hope they can correct this simply.

[jheydt]

I don't know what the problem is with the light text.  I have both a KK and a K2 and don't notice any difference between the 2 units as far as text brightness is concerned.  I guess with all those signatures that there are quite a few people with that problem.

John