Indeed. I bought a one two days ago, and I automatically assumed it would have a back light. I never even thought to check. I would have liked a one but I'm not that sad about it. It's something to do with the screen technology from what I've read. Adding a backlight would have had to change it.
Anyway, I'm of the same mindset as I gather most people posting here are. I'll only be buying the cheap books or downloading free ones. Otherwise it could become an expensive habbit (with so many available at a touch of a button).
I like the product anyway. I've hardly put it down. I nearly bought a Sony e-reader because it was touch screen and played audio but that would have cost £47 extra, I just got laid off work unfortunately, so I have to budget. I sure would have liked an audio option, as I do listen to a lot of audio books (I walk a lot). When it comes down to it it is too big for a pocket anyway and I have my ipod so it's totally unneeded. It is what it is and doesn't pretend to be an ipad. In a way I'm coming to like the basic functions, and black and white as there are less distractions. I might actually end up reading more.
Some pro's or 'neat' little things I've noticed about it also:
- It saves space. Or it will in the future, as book collections can take up some room (especially if you are a hoarder like me and don't sell your old books). It's probably reasonable to say they are more environmentally friendly, saving on paper and ink.
- The built in dictionary is well responding and covers most words from what I can see, although if you are reading an academic text for a specific subject I can see it holding less vocabulary. The dictionary also saves time when you don't know a word, because you don't have to put down your book and go to your shelf or go to your pc to check.
- Arguably you've just spent £89 and then have to buy books but there are plenty of older free classics available and recent-ish books fairly cheap.