The likes of the Kindle Paperwhite or the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight have endeared many an ebook addict to digital reading. The biggest benefit of those devices is their backlit display, which has come as a benefit to those who indulge in late night reading but do not wish to depend on an external light source. However, some readers have gone on to make some improvements to the hardware to achieve what a near perfect lighting system that is even more friendly to the eyes.
The device in question is the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, which has been subjected to some modification by Vivek Gani. The main issue that Gani faced is the hue of the backlight, which with its bluish tinge has led to many a sleepless night for him (this he claims is a scientifically proved fact), enough to cause him to act on his own accord.
Surprisingly, the remedy to the above problem is as simple (as well as cheap) as the kapton tape which offers a soft amber hue to it. Now the primary application of Kapton tape is to ensure electrical insulation but has been found to be surprisingly effective in allowing for a better hued glow light that is much softer on the eyes.
The entire operation calls for disassembling the device, which is something that is to be done with some care. For this, Gani is referring to the ifixit guide which spells out the step by step guide to get to the internals of the device. In this case, one only has to strip the device to reach the display in its bare form and reveal its LED lighting source.
The next thing that is to be done is to use the Kapton tape and to “cut it into small squares the width of each LED, and make it long enough to go into the side (where the led will be shining most of it’s light) and have enough area to stick on top. That is, you’re going to have small squares where each square is in an L-shaped formation.”
The next step is going to be crucial as it involves sticking the Kapton tape. “The key here is to stick the tape in between where the led actually outputs light and the plastic ‘diffraction grating’ cover. This is a really thin space, so it may take a few tries,” reveals Gani in his web page.
This pretty much sums up the entire operation, to be followed by putting the components back in the right order and with due care of course. In the meantime, Amazon has followed up its Paperwhite device with a new version that incorporates a lot of enhancements over its predecessor. This also includes a more responsive display that has a better contrast and better readability.
via Vivek
With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. The motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot, and I'll likely make a film sometime in the future.