NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight enables reading in the dark

A while ago I was out for a drink with some friends,  and among other conversation we had a debate about e-readers and tablets where we concluded that there should be a version of an e-reader with a controllable backlight. The folks from Barnes and Noble had the same idea and came up with NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight – NOOK Simple Touch e-reader with advanced lighting technology that lets you read in the dark.

NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight dimensions are 16.5cm x 12.7cm x 1.2cm (6.5″ x 5″ x 0.47″ / H x W x D), and it weights less than 200 grams (7 ounces). It’s the lightest model yet, making it ideal for long reading sessions in bed or on the beach, and its ergonomic soft-touch back increases the comfort while it is being hold in just one hand.

It comes with 2GB internal memory which can hold up to 1,000 books (since there is only 1GB available for content, while the rest is reserved for B&N content). If you’re afraid that won’t be enough for your prodigious needs, the memory can be expanded via microSD cards with capacity up to 32GB.

The 16-level grayscale 6″ E Ink display lets with Best-Text Technology enables just-like-paper reading whether GlowLight is on or off. You are just a few taps away from selecting between 7 distinct font sizes and 6 font styles, and you can open your book, turn pages, look up words, share reading or shop for new books with just a touch. Supported formats are ePub and PDF, as well as JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP for graphic files.

As its previous versions, NOOK has Wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)  that can be used via thousands of Wi-Fi networks, including FREE access at all Barnes & Noble stores and more than 24,000 AT&T hotspots, like cafes, hotels, and restaurants nationwide. You can connect with friends and share recommendations about the books you love on social networks, or swap books with LendMe.

GlowLight turns on instantly and adjusts easily with a touch, so customers can control the amount of light, whether in a dimly lit or pitch dark room. NOOK’s GlowLight turns on instantly and provides you with a choice to customize the brightness by using an on-screen slider. You just slide your finger to adjust the brightness from a soft glow to a bright gleam.

The installed rechargeable battery can be charged via USB to a computer with approximate charging time of three and a half hours, or from a wall outlet via the included power adapter. It provides enough juice to enable you to read for over 1 month on a single charge with GlowLight on (based on a half hour of daily reading time and the default setting for brightness), or double the time with GlowLight off.

NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight is expected to cost $139, and the package will include a built-in anti-glare screen protector. NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight can be pre-ordered Barnes & Noble stores, and you can expect this portable library to be found in stores from early May 2012.