Apple turns down the volume
Apple announced a software update that enables people to set "personal maximum volume limits" on iPod nanos and the latest generation iPod portable music players. The software, available online at www.apple.com/ipod/download, also lets parents set volume limits on children’s iPods and lock settings with coded combinations, according to the Cupertino, California-based company.
"As the leading provider of digital music players, Apple continuously brings iPod customers innovative and easy to use solutions," said Greg Joswiak, Apples vice president of worldwide iPod marketing.
"With the increased attention in this area, we want to offer customers an easy to use option to set their own personal volume limit."
The software release came in the wake of a national class-action suit filed against Apple in a Silicon Valley federal court on behalf of music lovers that claimed to suffer from "iPod ear," loss of hearing due to the device.
"It is good to know that Apple finally acknowledges that there is a serious flaw with its iPod product, and is giving US purchasers the same protection it has been giving French purchasers since 2002," said Steve Berman, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
"Unfortunately, this patch doesn’t help the millions of people who own older models. It is a jack-legged workaround that falls well short of what consumers demand and deserve."
Apple was forced to pull devices from stores in France after the country imposed a limit of 100 decibels for personal listening devices, according to the suit filed in January. The company was able to resume selling iPods in France after modifying software to limit the volume, but did not offer similar safeguards in the United States, Berman said.
Apple devices can reach decibel levels in the range of 115 DB, considered on a par with chain saws, jack hammers and air raid sirens, according to court documents. Studies indicate that hearing loss may occur after 28 seconds of sound at such levels, the lawsuit charged. Apple iPods are "inherently defective in design" and do not bear adequate warnings about possible hearing damage, court documents charged.
"Ear bud" earphones sold with the iPods do not properly disperse the sound, according to the suit. "We contend that Apple has done next to nothing to inform consumers regarding these issues," Berman said.
IPod packaging bears a warning about potential hearing loss if music is listened to at high volume. Apple has declined to comment, citing a policy of not discussing pending litigation. Audiologists have warned of the threat loud music poses to hearing since the Sony Walkman personal stereo craze of the 1980s. Hearing specialists recommended that people listen to iPods or other MP3 players for no more than an hour a day at less than 60 percent of the maximum volume.
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