Sounds like he's working on an electronic hack to solve the problem and "synthesize" (pun intended) a contrast control. Interesting project, but of course, if it involves opening up the keyboard and rewiring anything, then bye-bye warranty!
In my experience, the contrast control on the lower-end type of LCD display does, indeed, affect the viewing angle, at least to some extent. I've seen situations with various displays that are difficult to read at a particular angle become much easier to read with an adjustment of the contrast control. It essentially just moves the optimal viewing angle, because, in my experience, once you adjust it to be visible at a steep angle, then when you look at the display at a more conventional angle, it is nearly unreadable.