backlit keyboard query

They are...it could be that in the dark, your screen lights up the keyboard more than it does in dim light, thus the ambient light sensors think it is light enough to see the keyboard clearly. Call Apple if you want, that's what I would do because your computer is new.

 

It can be a little flaky at times, but it seems to get better with time. Whenever it shuts off when it shouldn't, just try to adjust the settings via the special buttons. There were times when it wouldn't work all night for me, but just fine the next, with no reboots work logouts in between.