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I think e-book readers are very cool. I believe they're responsible for an entire generation of new readers who wouldn't pick-up a printed, paper book but haveflocked to embraced the idea of reading on small, electronic devices.

And there are some good ones out there but none is perfect. eBook reading devices have screens that are either brightly back-lighted like a smartphone/tablet (and eats up battery power) or they sport reflective screens which are easy to read in bright light but need lots of help in darkened rooms.

IYou know where this is going.

Today, Barnes and Noble announced their new Nook Simple Touch eBook reader with a new technology they're calling "GlowLight".

Officially, GlowLight gently “front-lights” the screen. So, that allows this device to share the same nifty screen from the original Nook Simple Touch. But, here it's helped by eight, super-tiny, low-power LEDs embedded near the top of the screen. (Maybe they should call it a "top-lit" screen.) You turn the lights on with a two-second press of the “N” button whenever you need it.

One big selling point is that you can use this device in a darkened room without bothering anyone else nearby (assuming there is anyone else nearby).

As for any detrimental effect of GlowLight on battery life, I was told that even using the new feature for 30-minutes a day will provide you with a month's worth of reading before needing to recharge.

This eBook device's screen is readable in everything from bright sunlight to a darkened bedroom at night. To make their point, Barnes & Noble demonstrated the device in a dimly lit“mock bedroom”. Other tablets were either way too bright or not readable at all. They made their point.

The Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight is available for pre-order starting this afternoon. It's priced at $139 and should ship in time for the Mother's Day/father's Day/graduation selling season.