20% off Inspiron & Studio laptopsMarch 29, 2006 9:28 AM PST
Apple offers volume limits for iPods
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The free update, available for video iPods and all iPod Nano models, also includes a parental lock option. After setting the volume limit, parents can lock the setting with a combination code to prevent children from raising the maximum volume without their knowledge.
The move follows a string of news articles and research reports, including a recent hearing in Washington, warning people not to listen to their MP3 players at excessive volume levels for prolonged periods.
The Mac maker also faces a class-action lawsuit that charges the company of not taking adequate steps to prevent hearing loss among American iPod consumers, despite limiting the output of the devices to 100 decibels in France.
"With the increased attention (on digital music players), we want to offer customers an easy-to-use option to set their own personal volume limit," Greg Joswiak, Apple vice president of worldwide iPod product marketing, said in a statement.
iPod owners can go to Apple's Web site to get the software update. An Apple ID and password login are required to obtain the download.
iPod owners will also be prompted to download the upgrade when they connect to their computers via iTunes.
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However, the research shows that people are not paying much attention to how loud and how long they listen to music and how it will affect their ability to communicate in the future. At the very least, Apple is bringing attention to this through their update.
Terry Portis, Executive Director
Hearing Loss Association of America
However, the research shows that people are not paying much attention to how loud and how long they listen to music and how it will affect their ability to communicate in the future. At the very least, Apple is bringing attention to this through their update.
Terry Portis, Executive Director
Hearing Loss Association of America
good use. However, people need to take responsibility for their
own actions. And I don't think iPods are the cause of all hearing
loss, as people have been jammin to the music for years prior to
the iPod and other players coming on the market.
Maybe we should sue Rockford Fosgate for their amps and
speakers that kill eardrums inside the cars and outside to those
who are forced to listen. Point is, where do we stop? We stop
when we all take responsibility for what we do.
If you want to kill your ears, its fine by me. I will take care of my
ears, and you can take care of yours. Just don't sue Apple to
make them do it for me.
good use. However, people need to take responsibility for their
own actions. And I don't think iPods are the cause of all hearing
loss, as people have been jammin to the music for years prior to
the iPod and other players coming on the market.
Maybe we should sue Rockford Fosgate for their amps and
speakers that kill eardrums inside the cars and outside to those
who are forced to listen. Point is, where do we stop? We stop
when we all take responsibility for what we do.
If you want to kill your ears, its fine by me. I will take care of my
ears, and you can take care of yours. Just don't sue Apple to
make them do it for me.
Why is it that every time some tiny incremental "improvement" comes along for iTunes, we have to download the whole darn program from their website? Hasn't Apple ever heard of patching? Not everyone can stand to download 20-something megabyte files every month or so.
Why is it that every time some tiny incremental "improvement" comes along for iTunes, we have to download the whole darn program from their website? Hasn't Apple ever heard of patching? Not everyone can stand to download 20-something megabyte files every month or so.
I think this fix is kind of bogus in that it fixes a problem that doesn't exist, but the parent lock idea is novel and good. Limiting how loud a child can listen should be on every player...
disclaimer: I am not a Mac fan, don't own an iPod or use iTunes, but I have to respect the responsiveness of Apple on this. Perception is everything with consumers. Apple just gave the perception they care, even when they didn't really need to. Meanwhile this month I am feeling no love from MS.
I think this fix is kind of bogus in that it fixes a problem that doesn't exist, but the parent lock idea is novel and good. Limiting how loud a child can listen should be on every player...
disclaimer: I am not a Mac fan, don't own an iPod or use iTunes, but I have to respect the responsiveness of Apple on this. Perception is everything with consumers. Apple just gave the perception they care, even when they didn't really need to. Meanwhile this month I am feeling no love from MS.
So, little kids, yeah, parents can help them out there with installing the patch, fine and good. But what about the other two groups?
The stupid adults are too stupid to realize that they are listening too loud, so they'll, by definition, be too stupid to know how to install the patch.
The teenagers, are most likely NOT stupid but are just rebellious in trying to 'tune out' the rest of the world by listening to their music loudly (as have many generations before). So, why would they want to install the patch? Furthermore, their parents, may not be technologically inclined enough to be able to install the patch. And Further-Furthermore, if their parents are technologically inclined enough to be able to install the patch, then it would be a sure thing that their teenagers will be technologically inclined enough to use the Internet to find a way to overcome the parental lock. (I give it about two weeks before CNET's next headline 'iPod Users Break Parental Lock Code! click here to find out how you can too...')
So, the patch really only seems to protect little kids. And the only thing you have to worry about there is that they'll be the ones most likely to flush your $300 iPod down the toilet just to see what happens. Or, feed it to the dog, or leave the headphone cords exposed to the rocking chair's rockers, or ... umm you get the point.
- Who will install the patch??
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by TMB333
March 30, 2006 7:13 AM PST
- Ok, the Volume patch appears to be available for people who are irresponsible enough to not know that they are listening to the music too loud. This would seem to include three groups. Teenagers, little kids, and stupid adults.
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See all 24 Comments >>So, little kids, yeah, parents can help them out there with installing the patch, fine and good. But what about the other two groups?
The stupid adults are too stupid to realize that they are listening too loud, so they'll, by definition, be too stupid to know how to install the patch.
The teenagers, are most likely NOT stupid but are just rebellious in trying to 'tune out' the rest of the world by listening to their music loudly (as have many generations before). So, why would they want to install the patch? Furthermore, their parents, may not be technologically inclined enough to be able to install the patch. And Further-Furthermore, if their parents are technologically inclined enough to be able to install the patch, then it would be a sure thing that their teenagers will be technologically inclined enough to use the Internet to find a way to overcome the parental lock. (I give it about two weeks before CNET's next headline 'iPod Users Break Parental Lock Code! click here to find out how you can too...')
So, the patch really only seems to protect little kids. And the only thing you have to worry about there is that they'll be the ones most likely to flush your $300 iPod down the toilet just to see what happens. Or, feed it to the dog, or leave the headphone cords exposed to the rocking chair's rockers, or ... umm you get the point.