iPod update allows users to set volume limit
Responding to criticism over the potential for the players to cause hearing loss, Apple on Wednesday released a software update for its fifth-generation iPods and the iPod nano that allows users to set a maximum volume limit.
The 26.7MB update, labeled iPod Updater 2006-03-23, also offers some "bug fixes" according to a brief set of release notes accompanying its release.
Apple has been criticized recently over the iPods potential to cause hearing loss if listened to at high volumes for long periods of time.
A Northwestern University professor and audiologist in November claimed that the earbud-style headphones which ship with Apple's iPod and other MP3 players can cause serious, permanent hearing loss.
Just last month, the subject escalated when a group of lawyers and an iPod owner filed a federal lawsuit against the company, claiming the iPod causes hearing loss and that the iconic music player is "inherently defective in design and are not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings regarding the likelihood of hearing loss."
"With the increased attention in this area, we want to offer customers an easy to use option to set their own personal volume limit," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing.
The new Volume Limit feature works with any headphone or accessory plugged into the iPod headphone jack as well as Apple's iPod Radio Remote. Once set, the volume limit can be locked with a combination code.
Instructions on how to locate and activate the new features on your iPod are available on Apple's support site.
The 26.7MB update, labeled iPod Updater 2006-03-23, also offers some "bug fixes" according to a brief set of release notes accompanying its release.
Apple has been criticized recently over the iPods potential to cause hearing loss if listened to at high volumes for long periods of time.
A Northwestern University professor and audiologist in November claimed that the earbud-style headphones which ship with Apple's iPod and other MP3 players can cause serious, permanent hearing loss.
Just last month, the subject escalated when a group of lawyers and an iPod owner filed a federal lawsuit against the company, claiming the iPod causes hearing loss and that the iconic music player is "inherently defective in design and are not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings regarding the likelihood of hearing loss."
"With the increased attention in this area, we want to offer customers an easy to use option to set their own personal volume limit," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing.
The new Volume Limit feature works with any headphone or accessory plugged into the iPod headphone jack as well as Apple's iPod Radio Remote. Once set, the volume limit can be locked with a combination code.
Instructions on how to locate and activate the new features on your iPod are available on Apple's support site.
Comments
If you stick a torch in your mouth and suck on it, expect smoke down your lungs.
If you stick a noise maker in your ear, expect noise in your ears.
Stupid lawyers.
I could possibly see the suit if the only music was from Spinal Tap. I mean, they are the "loudest band in England"
I would like to see creative make changes to their mp3 players with such ease.
Once again apple show how things can be done with no fuss or hassle it just works.
j.
I suppose you could choke on the earbuds too, maybe those lawyers should try to find out in the interests of public safety...
Originally posted by tak1108
I might be mistaken, but I thought all iPods had a volume control. You know, the kind where you can TURN IT DOWN.
Well, when at your quiet home you have good sound at a relatively low level, on the busy street or in the train you set the volume almost twice as loud. Without knowing it, you are pumping much pressure into your ears just to hear your music over the sound of traffic.
Originally posted by johnrp
Nice to see how quickly apple can come up with a solution to a problem that isn't a problem. They still have an elegant "fix".
Problem that isn't a problem? Just turn it down?
I guess none of you have ever had the experience I had, where I put my iPod in my pocket one evening and forgot to lock out input. The next morning, I put in my earphones, turned on the iPod, and hit play, just like I always do. Somehow, though, while the iPod was in my pocket, the volume had been turned all the way up. So, deafening noise thundered into my ears for several seconds while I panicked, trying to get back to the "Now Playing" screen so I could turn down the volume.*
Now with this nice feature, I can set a max volume, and never have to worry about the output being painful. Problem solved.
I do think Apple may have given parents a false sense of security, though. A combination on the max volume? Unless they have some lockout mechanism after a few tries, or the combo is closer to 10 numbers (didn't notice a count), any kid is going to have it cracked in no time. All of their time will be spent staring at their iPod trying every number in sequence. I suppose this gets Apple out of legal liability, though. And, it's not like any easily-implemented mechanism wouldn't have been just as easily broken.
*Yes, I know, I should have pulled the headphones out of the jack/pressed pause/etc. for instant silence. I was panicking, it was early, I wasn't thinking clearly.
Originally posted by knneth
I'm an iPod user and DAMN glad of this feature. While skipping songs, forwarding or whatever (using the touch wheel actively) accidently maxing the volume is too easy! Whenever I max it, I instantly feel the urge of throwing it into a brick wall, but ofcourse I couldn't do that because I love my iPod
I've experienced this situation many times. Sometimes when holding it or adjusting the volume I just touch it the wrong way and then it boosts the volume up all the way. Ouch.
Originally posted by knneth
I'm an iPod user and DAMN glad of this feature. While skipping songs, forwarding or whatever (using the touch wheel actively) accidently maxing the volume is too easy! Whenever I max it, I instantly feel the urge of throwing it into a brick wall, but ofcourse I couldn't do that because I love my iPod
yup totally, any avid ipod user has experienced this.
people like aplnub grossly underestimate a feature like this
Originally posted by Elixir
yup totally, any avid ipod user has experienced this.
people like aplnub grossly underestimate a feature like this
Not arguing it's not a useful feature, but I'm an avid ipod user who has never experienced that.
Originally posted by tommyt74
How can the guy, prove that it was his iPod that caused his earring loss?
Maybe by the blood stain on the earbud when he yanked it out?
open up itunes,
click on song u want to make shorter,
click on get info from the file menu.
click on option, look down the list u should see a start time and stop time, adjust the song length to suit
hope this helps!.....
That's is true, however on another website someone made a comment: "this is great cause now I can set the maximum volume on my two daughters iPods 8/9, with the security combination set, they now can't damage there ears with their iPods even if they want to listen to them at full volume.
In this case and similar ones with young kids, the update is a warm welcome to all parents who care about their kids.
Happy 30th apple!