The iPad

[Rico]

Is the backlight brightness adjustable?  I would think that would help a lot.  I'm wondering how many people are buying iPads to read full novels on them even if it can do that.  Personally I still like a nice book in my hands, but that's just me.

[Bryancd]

Is the backlight brightness adjustable?  I would think that would help a lot.  I'm wondering how many people are buying iPads to read full novels on them even if it can do that.  Personally I still like a nice book in my hands, but that's just me.

x2, still love me some real paper. The iPad isn't really designed specifically as an e-reader, it's more of a media device that can be used as an e-reader if you are so inclined. It's more important for the internet/video content to be rich.

[billybob476]

Right, I'm still interested in an eReader and the Kindle is still up there in the running.

[Bryancd]

Right, I'm still interested in an eReader and the Kindle is still up there in the running.

For me, I wouldn't buy both, however, and would prefer just to have the iPad and use it as an e-reader regardless of the screen.

[Rico]

I wonder if you can go to say monochrome mode or a different amount of colors on the iPad?  I mean you don't really need the full spectrum to read text.  Seems like they could easily software in an app. to help with the eReader aspect.

[billybob476]

I know a lot of people have sad the contrast on the iPad is amazing so switching to grayscale wouldn't really help much I think.

[Rico]

I know a lot of people have sad the contrast on the iPad is amazing so switching to grayscale wouldn't really help much I think.

It's too bad it isn't adjustable some how.  Especially for various lighting conditions.  Heck, it would even conserve power if you could dim it down.

[billybob476]

My iPhone has a brightness control and an ambient light sensor that dims the screen in darkness. I imagine the iPad would have the same.

[Rico]

My iPhone has a brightness control and an ambient light sensor that dims the screen in darkness. I imagine the iPad would have the same.

Anyway to manually adjust it yourself on the iPhone or is it all automatic?

[Rico]

Well, it looks like it is an easy matter to adjust the brightness on the iPad in Settings.  Here you go:

How to adjust iPad brightness
How to change iPad brightness

    * First, enter the iPad settings by tapping the settings icon. It's the icon with the gears.
    * The Brightness setting is between Notifications and Picture Frame. Simply tap where it says Brightness & Wallpaper to open up the settings.
    * The slider will control the brightness of the iPad's screen. Move the slider to the left with your finger to decrease the brightness and move the slider to the right to make the iPad's screen brighter.
    * The Auto-Brightness is a neat feature that will adjust the brightness based on the lightning in the room. It can be hard to tell if this feature is working, but it is easier to tell if you already have the brightness set low.


http://www.examiner.com/x-13879-iPhone-Examiner~y2010m4d7-How-to-adjust-iPad-brightness

[billybob476]

Right, the same on the iPhone (just no 'wallpaper' options)

[Jobydrone]

the problem is that some apps don't allow you to adjust settings while they are running...and you cant switch to desktop without closing an active app.  Software update to allow multitasking is coming though.  My comic reader has a built in brightness control, as does iBook Reader

[Jobydrone]

Oh and ipodme is a great converter...thanks billybob for the awesome recommendation

[billybob476]

Glad to be of service.

[Ktrek]

I would have responded sooner but I have been on the road for the last ten hours. The Ipad ebook application lets you adjust brightness without going into settings. I tried reading at several levels and it is still distracting. Probably the biggest distraction is the pixelation of etext. The pixelation on pictures and movies is fantastic but on ebooks not. Anyone even thinking about an Ipad mainly for reading really needs to spend some time with the device because ultimately you will be disappointed. Everything else is pretty cool though. I just cannot think of a practical reason to spend $500 plus for one when I already have devices that do as good and in some cases better job of the Ipad features.

Kevin