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Apple software update will reduce iPod ear threat. Rejoice, audiobook and podcast fans!
March 30, 2006 | 2:47 am
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By David Rothman
At least one iPod-related software guy at Apple reads the TeleBlog. But my ego will puff up only so much after hearing that Apple will help address the threat of the iPod to ears.
It’s a class-action lawsuit and heavy publicity in the aggregate–not TeleBlog items alone–which made the big different. Still, I’d like to think we helped in a small way. At any rate, no matter what the reason for the update, hats off to Apple for wising up. I’ll try the update later today.
The update will be for video iPods and Nanos. I own a Nano but would like all owners to be able to benefit. Of course, the issue isn’t just limiting volume levels for those who want this. I just hope that Apple will also make the setting of the sleep timer persist, even after the iPod is turned off. Not sure if this update will do the trick.
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Comments:
Sometimes Apple listens to customers. We had the same issue when the iTMS MiniStore created some privacy concerns, and their software engineers made a quick change to turn off the feature. This was obviously something not too difficult to do from a software point of view, and Apple now has a legal defense in future legal actions: if you go deaf, it is your own fault.
I tried it out this morning on my video iPod. I was expecting something that you’d turn on or off, with a “safe” level pre-determined. Or at least some guidelines. But it just lets the user scroll across the volume bar to select where they want to set the maximum. While this does mean more flexibility, it means that users have to either seek outside information on what a “safe” level would be, or (as I did) set it somewhat arbitrarily.
My rule of thumb on what is safe-level: If you cannot hear someone talking to you from 2′~3′ (1metre), its too loud.
Of course there is a whole spectrum of noise-reduction phones that promises to do just that! Guess it depends on whether the ambient noise is 1) drowned by the music, 2) shut out by good mufflers or 3) cancelled out by active filter.
I’m still not sure if this is a volume control limiter or a limiter based on the true noise generated–with the ability to curtial peaks. Perhaps I’m missing something. Thoughts?
After trying it myself, it looks like it’s just a way to re-set the max volume (and optionally, password-protect it, so your kid doesn’t blast his hearing even if he wants to.) After you select a new max volume, the volume scroll bar will reach the highest level faster, and if you try to increase the volume it’ll display a little lock. Curtailing peaks would be cool, but I think that’s way more complicated than this current feature is.
Here’s hoping that Apple can do things right wtih a true limiter covering peaks, if it’s missing this wrinkle. I suspect you’re right, Quinn. Thanks. – David
Let me also remind people that Apple also needs to give the iPod Nando a sleep timer with a persistent setting. In other words, it would remember the setting even after the unit was shut off.