Kindles are the devices you get when reading convenience meets minimalism.
Right out of the box, the e-reader is set up almost perfectly for binge-reading — all you have to do is log into your Amazon account and download some books. But, while it’s no secret that many e-reader enthusiasts have qualms about being locked within Amazon’s ecosystem, my biggest gripe with the company is the one tiny (but essential) feature they leave off by default: the clock.
Look — I love falling down whatever rabbit hole my books lure me into as much as the next reader. But, real life and responsibilities prevent us from morphing into true bookworms, and most of us need to keep tabs on the time. Here’s why I enable the clock on my Kindle and how to turn it on yourself.
- Brand
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Amazon
- Screen
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7-inch E-ink, 300ppi, 16-level gray scale
- Storage
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16GB
- Connectivity
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
How to enable the clock on your Kindle
A few easy taps
While Amazon doesn’t have the clock enabled by default, it’s very easy to make it appear:
- Inside a book, tap the top of the screen.
- Tap Aa.
- Choose the More tab.
- Toggle on Show clock while reading.
Easy-peasy. Now, you should see the time appear at the top-center of your Kindle’s screen.
Why I show the clock on my Kindle screen
Time flies when you’re having fun
Back in high school, I used to love summer vacation — no school meant no bedtime, and I spent more than a few nights reading until the sun came up. I won’t get nostalgic on you, dear reader, but we both know those times have passed. No one wants to suffer through self-induced jet lag during a 9AM team meeting on Thursday.
But that girl who only put the book down when the birds were singing is still somewhere inside of me, begging to read just one more chapter at 1:45AM. It’s way too easy to say yes to her when I don’t have a clock reminding me that I have work in the morning, so I keep the clock on. There’s no reality check like seeing single digits with the letters “AM” beside them when I have to write three articles the next day.
Does having the clock enabled take the fun out of reading? No. Time may be a human construct, but we live our human lives by it, and there will always be time for more reading. I’d hate to miss or even be late to a commitment because of my beloved books, so the clock on my Kindle is a quick way to make sure I’m enjoying my time without bleeding away the day (or a night of sleep).
If I ever do find a story that warrants another all-nighter, I’ll turn the clock off. Until then, I’ll keep the time within sight and stay a responsible reader.
