“Should E Ink machines have a boldface mode for better viewability?” the TeleBlog asked on Tuesday.
And based on a very small unscientific poll so far, the answer is yes. Here are the results:
1. Yes–either through heavier type or in other ways. 12 Votes or 48 percent.
2. No. There’s already enough contrast between the words and the background on the screen. 6 votes or 24%
3. Neutral. 7 votes or 28%.
Hardware-makers have big egos, but even based on the small sample, a message is coming through that jibes with my own experiences. E Ink offers many good points, but for many user, it can be hard to read in dim light.
Potential boost for Sony and rivals
An optional boldfaced mode, achieved through heavier build-in fonts or otherwise, would add considerably to E Ink’s appeal on the Sony Reader and other machines such as the iLiad, the Jinke, the forthcoming new Cybook and whatever might be on the way from ETI. And who knows: The same idea might apply to other e-paper technologies. To get technical, we’re not necessarily talking about actual contrast, but at least perceived contrast.
Related: E Ink screens: Best way to display text on E Ink hardware like the Sony Reader? —another poll-related post, where, as of this writing, 60 percent of respondents wanted “Absolutely black characters against a paper-white background.” Also see a MobileRead thread based on a reader’s belief, apparently mistaken, that some Sony Readers were already using the brighter VizPlex screens based on new E Ink technology. Users care deeply about these issues, and I hope that Sony, Jinke, Bookeen and other e-paper-related companies will oblige.
Heheh… Hard to infer much of anything from only 25 votes. Still goes to show how perspective skews interpretation — looking at the same numbers, I would have come away with the message that half said ‘no thanks’ or ‘who cares?’
I am looking forward to the Vizplex models, but I cannot help but wonder if the issue could not be more easily solved with a built-in lighting solution, even if back lighting is not yet an option.