Just used the Aspire One outside today (somewhat cloudy, but still a bright day). I could see the screen okay at about 75% brightness, and perfectly at 100% brightness. Hope this helps.
I was sitting out in the patio today and, yes, I felt the screen was too glossy to allow comfortable reading. Then again, I haven't experienced a screen that was practically readable yet (got a Toshiba laptop and an Asus 701 as well)