http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 5:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 7:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/These people are complaining about eye strain when reading the smallest font size on a large format passive display screen. So you expect them to get a device with a screen 1/6th the size, with an active display screen?

Talk about daft.

I wonder if that iPhone will look as good to you after you go blind from trying to read all the mac fanboy commentary on your own blog.

Please, grow a couple of neurons and realize that good things can exist in the world that weren't handed down from the keynote of a Macworld.]]>Apr 13th 2009 7:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
what a waste of my time reading about a damn ebook reader.]]>Apr 13th 2009 9:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
As an optical technician, I'd say these peoples' problem isn't the Kindle 2... It's that they need new glasses. I'd advise anyone complaining of eye strain on the Kindle to set up an appointment with their optometrist or ophthalmologist, because they're most likely working with an old RX, or have just crossed a threshold into needing glasses for the first time.
]]>Apr 14th 2009 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 5:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 5:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 5:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 5:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 8:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 5:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
So, what about that was confusing?]]>Apr 13th 2009 6:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/1) Turn up the font so you can read it.
2) Buy a pair of drug store glasses if you eyes are so bad.
3) If you think you don't need glasses then be a lazy ass and buy the audio book (or use that neat new talking Kindle feature thats kinda creepy)
4) If all else fails wait for the movie version of your book.]]>Apr 13th 2009 5:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/+1 internets for you!]]>Apr 13th 2009 5:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
Using glasses does not magically unblur things that are, in fact, presented with blur.]]>Apr 13th 2009 6:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 7:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 5:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
they WILL need glasses after staring at the Kindle.

Holding something in front of your face, like a book, or iPhone screen, Laptop, cell phone, whatever will ruin your eyes because you're training them to focus on things UP CLOSE by default.

The more you do this, the more you'll struggle to see far away (obviously) and your prescription will get worse. Thats why nerds wear glasses, because they read all the time and stare at the TV/Computer screen all day.

The ONLY solution, is to do excercises for your eyes and take breaks from 'up close work' from time to time. Unlike some people who thought the Advantage the Kindle had over the iPhone was that it wouldn't hurt your eyes. It does. Kindle's advantage is battery life and the vast library of Kindle books (er, now available on iPhone).

I can't believe no one mentioned Audiobooks.]]>Apr 13th 2009 11:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
You can train your eyes to focus better *within your prescription's limits*, but you can't train your eyes out of that prescription. If you have a -3.25 sphere, then you have a -3.25 sphere; It has to do with the shape, wear & tear, and age of your eyes, as well as internal components of the eyes. People with myopia aren't going to miraculously get better because they stop looking at things up close, nor do they have that condition because they read a lot.

Almost EVERYONE will need bifocals at some point in their life, usually from their mid-40 onward. This has more to do with age than anything else; Even a person who never reads books or looks at things up-close will develop the need for an add power on their prescription when they get older.

The Kindle is HELPFUL to people like this, because it enables those with low vision to increase the font size, which you can't do with a standard dead-tree book. With the Kindle, every book you buy can be the large print edition, as needed.

]]>Apr 14th 2009 10:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 14th 2009 10:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 5:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
Remember that tee-shirt (or was it a bumper sticker) that said: "SEX is bad for your vision". Yeah - yeah the stream of puns starts now. In the tee-shirt, the word SEX was rendered in a font that made it look blurry. Your visual system really does try to clear up the image.

I'm sure the same thing happens on the new Kindle. The "smoothed" fonts are no longer blocky, but they are now somewhat fuzzy. If your visual system thinks that it is out of focus (even if it is due to blurry itarget) it will try to focus on it - never succeeding - leading to eye strain.

They should have an option to remove (or minimize) font smoothing.]]>Apr 13th 2009 6:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Doesn't look that bad to me, but I don't think that this is the smallest font. And the softness could be a focus problem as much as the kindle its self.

http://www.connect.md/main/webroot/upload/image/Kindle_2_-_Front.jpg

I jut tried the smallest font on my Cybook, which was pretty darn tiny, but still sharp. It is a 4 greyscale display though. Doesn't the Kindle have any options to alter the font?]]>Apr 13th 2009 8:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
The complaints about the smaller two fonts are valid and they have nothing to do with poor eyes.
The way the kindle renders the smaller fonts is very odd. It seems like they apply the same proportion of blurring to the smaller fonts, as they do for the larger ones.]]>Apr 13th 2009 9:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
@cwashley - I'm really curious now. It does sound like they messed it up.

Basically a long straight line like an 'l' or 'L' should have no blurring/smoothing. The pixel column immediately to the left of the line should be pure white; the first column of pixels in the 'L' should be all black.

You only want to fill in with grey the blocky bits on diagonal lines and curves. Even there, I would recommend doing it in an understated way.]]>Apr 14th 2009 3:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 11:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
You don't even have to RTFA. The above summary clearly states that THE TEXT IS BLURRED BY THE SMOOTHING ALGORITHM.]]>Apr 13th 2009 6:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 7:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_paper

In short, I think that this article is relevant and belongs on this blog.]]>Apr 13th 2009 6:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 7:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 7:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 7:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
I have a 16GB 3G white iPhone and I love it, the screen is easy on the eyes and intelligently adjusts according to how much ambient light is in the room.]]>Apr 13th 2009 7:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 7:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
That being said, maybe my poor eyes don't notice the blurriness because I keep my Kindle 2 on the 3rd smallest font and it looks perfect. I just checked out the other 2 smaller fonts and don't see a problem either except that they're small. I read the whole way (1 1/2 hours) to and from work and haven't had eye strain or a headache yet. ]]>Apr 13th 2009 8:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 14th 2009 11:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/lol.
myb u haven't tried an ebook reader yet. the eink display is more pleasant to the eye.]]>Apr 13th 2009 8:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/Apr 13th 2009 8:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
Yeah, I know they'll have to page more often, but it's not as slow as the page refreshing on the Kindle. Plus, there's one reader, that scrolls! It's smart since it's scrolling speed is controlled by your angle of tilt. Neat, no paging whatsoever.

Anyway, there's lots of ways to read.]]>Apr 13th 2009 9:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/13/kindle-2-users-complain-of-eye-strain-mull-over-possible-soluti/
Seeing pixel edges isn't attractive. But it gives the eyes something to focus on. The smoothed fonts trick my eyes, if just for a second, into focusing incorrectly. Lame.]]>Apr 14th 2009 12:24AM