Disabling keypad/keyboard backlight when reading ebooks.

Hi, this may have been done to death but my searches aren't turning up the question I specifically would like answered... so sorry!

I read ebooks voraciously, it's very useful when in bed with the other half and he's trying to sleep, not to need a bedside light on.

My problem occurs when using an ebook reader (currently Mobipocket - though please do enlighten me if you know of one better which will easily take books from the file offerings of the Gutenberg Project):

The keypad remains bright, much brighter than the screen (especially as I set the background to black and the text to mid-grey).

I'd love to be able to toggle off the keypad backlight somehow.

I've found a sort-of workaround, where I go to the Clock and set Bedside Mode, then switch application back to Mobipocket - the screen dims and the keyboard turns off...

BUT only until I use the optical pad to swipe to the next page, and the keypad lights come back on and blind me. They do fade out again but by this time I'm halfway down the new page and about to swipe again!

Anyone? Keyboard backlight toggle? Is such a thing ever going to be possible or is this a well-flogged long-dead horse?

Thanks for reading! :)
Sara

Unfortunately not possible.

It may be possible in future OS releases, because it does a damn good job when in bedside mode. If they can make apps to change your pearl color, surely this can be done.

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That's what I was thinking mitch, bedside mode shows it's possible.

Cheers Shao, none of the other threads had an unequivocal 'no' - concise and to the point!

Probably shot myself in the foot by not waiting for a 9780 too, but nevermind, I had itchy gadget-fingers :)

Originally Posted by mitchsurp

If they can make apps to change your pearl color, surely this can be done.

There is currently no public API from RIM to manipulate the keyboard backlight. It is not possible, as I said before.

meaning no disrespect here but my (non BB) husband just made a suggestion, until there is an option to dim the keyboard in the way that you need it, why don't you stick a post-it-note (or something like that) over the keyboard? I tried it and it does dim the light quite a bit.
just a thought

Bonnie

A low-tech solution to a high-tech problem. It's like duct tape solving antennagate all over again.

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[QUOTE=mitchsurp;5583191]A low-tech solution to a high-tech problem. It's like duct tape solving antennagate all over again.

Ahhh, I just knew that was coming. lol

Classic thread, from beginning to end!

As OS7 has since been released, I was just wondering if there are any updates? On the 9900 the beautiful glowing ring surrournding the trackpad becomes absolutely blinding when reading an ebook in the dark. It would be great to dim or extinguish everything below the screen.

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