Next Kindle to Get Front-lit Display

Credit: Flex Lighting

Kindle e-readers are still going strong even though tablets are becoming more popular every day. Considering that the Kindle Touch and Kindle 4 use E-ink display technology, you can use them under sunlight easier. They also offer great battery life. You are still going to need a light source to read your books in darker areas. If Amazon gets its way, you won’t have to buy a reading light for your next Kindle. As TechCrunch has reported, Amazon seems to have gotten to a point where it is ready to release glowing-screen Kindles to the market this year.

The acquisition of Oy Modilis seems to have sped up this development (the company had several patents for display lighting). The glowing light on these Kindles will be much different from what you get on backlit LCD displays. It is less harsher and has a blue-white flavor to it. According to TechCrunch, the new Kindles will most likely have the same size.  But it is too early to tell at this point.

This is going to be a huge move by Amazon. Being able to use a Kindle under sunlight and in dark rooms without needing any additional accessory would be a huge plus. It will be interesting to see how this new display technology will affect the battery life of e-readers. I certainly would not want my next Kindle to be more bulky with a dismal battery life. Let’s hope Amazon gets this right.